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Huuhkajat Match Reports: Euro 2024 Qualifiers Calamity – Slovenia 3-0 Finland & Finland 1-2 Kazakhstan

October 19, 2023October 23, 2023 Mark Wiltshear

UEFA Euro 2024 Qualifiers, Group H, Games 7 & 8

A shocking couple of days for the Huuhkajat, which started with a resounding away defeat against Slovenia and culminated in a last-minute defeat against Kazakhstan. Both of which condemn Finland to miss out on automatic qualification and require the potential Nations League playoffs, to make it to Germany 2024.

Mark W, Ally and Keke talk through their perspectives of both games; Keke out in Ljubljana, while Ally was closer to home in Helsinki’s Olympia Stadion. They talk thorugh the key action, the highlights (such as they were), and the growing uncertainty about the future of Markku Kanerva – can it really be the end of the ‘Rivelution’? Continue reading Huuhkajat Match Reports: Euro 2024 Qualifiers Calamity – Slovenia 3-0 Finland & Finland 1-2 Kazakhstan

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Huuhkajat Preview: Euro2024 Qualifiers – Slovenia vs Finland, Finland vs Kazakhstan. Plus Veikkausliiga Update.

October 11, 2023October 11, 2023 Mark Wiltshear

Euro 2024. Stadion Stožice, Ljubljana, 14th Oct 2023 | Olympia Stadion, Helsinki, 17th Sept 2023

Mark W and Ally preview the fourth round of qualifying fixtures for Euro 2024, as Finland’s Huuhkajat travel to Slovenia before facing Kazakhstan at home in a Group H that remains open with only one point (and a few goals) separating the top four teams. They talk through a Finland squad that has a few changes to its personnel, while our guest @sloveninho1 brings some proper knowledge of Slovenian football.

They also look at the recent Veikkausliiga results, that leave the top of the table on a knife-edge going into the final game of the Mestaruussarja, and explain just what is a Eurolopputurnaus. Continue reading Huuhkajat Preview: Euro2024 Qualifiers – Slovenia vs Finland, Finland vs Kazakhstan. Plus Veikkausliiga Update.

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Suomen Cup Final Honka 1-2 Ilves with Ilves Fan – Jamie and KuPS 5-0 HJK. Plus Veikkausliiga Update

October 3, 2023October 3, 2023 Mark Wiltshear

Mark W chats to Ilves fan Jamie about his day out at the men’s Suomen Cup final, as Ilves beat Honka 2-1 to win the trophy and salvage what was shaping-up to be a poor season. In the women’s Suomen Cup final, KuPS beat HJK 5-0.

Mark & Jamie also talk about the recent round of Veikkausliiga games and how the Haastajasarja has helped Ilves find the form they needed to win the cup and qualify for Europe, which sets Ilves up perfectly for the opening of their new stadium in 2024. Continue reading Suomen Cup Final Honka 1-2 Ilves with Ilves Fan – Jamie and KuPS 5-0 HJK. Plus Veikkausliiga Update

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The Finnish Football Show Podcast Hits 150 Episodes

October 1, 2023June 10, 2024 Mark Wiltshear

The Finnish Football Show is an independent video and podcast series that has reached a new landmark. The episode “Match Reports: Finland 4-0 Slovakia & Romania 0-1 Finland. Veikkausliiga Update plus VPS Fan, Ville” published on 28.9.2023, was the 150th episode since launching in November 2015.

Mark Wiltshear looks back at some of the landmarks from the history of the first and only, English-language show about Finnish football – FFS!

Helmarit, Podcast Show Notes1 Comment

Helmarit Match Reports: Finland 4-0 Slovakia & Romania 0-1 Finland. Veikkausliiga Update plus VPS Fan, Ville

September 28, 2023October 24, 2023 Mark Wiltshear

Women’s Nations League 2023, Group B2, Games 1 & 2.

Mark W and Rich look back at Finland’s two recent games in the Women’s Nations League, as the Helmarit took maximum points from Slovakia and Romania. A relatively straightforward 4-0 home win, followed by a battle against heat, humidty and Romania, played on a soft, freshly-ploughed field!

They also look at the second round of matches in the Veikkausliiga Mestarus- and Haastaja- series: As VPS Vaasa continue to brush aside all challengers, we speak with Vepsu fan, Ville, to find out how they have succeeded in equalling the league’s record for consecutive wins, which is currently 12 (and counting!) Continue reading Helmarit Match Reports: Finland 4-0 Slovakia & Romania 0-1 Finland. Veikkausliiga Update plus VPS Fan, Ville

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Helmarit Preview: Inaugural Women’s Nations League, Helmarit Squad, Veikkausliiga Update

September 19, 2023October 24, 2023 Mark Wiltshear

Women’s Nations League 2023. Veritas Stadion, Turku, 22nd Sept 2023 | Stadionul Arcul de Triumf, Bukarest, 26th Sept 2023

Mark W and Keke preview the inaugural Women’s Nations League, bringing you a brief overview of this new competiton and how the qualfying competitons for the women’s tournaments are neatly aligned! They look at the Finland squad selections, the upcoming opponents Slovakia, Romania and Croatia, assess the recent form and consider the Helmarit’s chances of gaining promotion.

They also take a quick look at the recent Veikkausliiga games as the Mestarus- and Haastaja- series get underway. Continue reading Helmarit Preview: Inaugural Women’s Nations League, Helmarit Squad, Veikkausliiga Update

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Huuhkajat Match Reports: Kazakhstan 0-1 Finland & Finland 0-1 Denmark

September 11, 2023October 9, 2023 Mark Wiltshear

UEFA Euro 2024 Qualifiers, Group H, Games 5 & 6

The Huuhkajat battled to three more important points to remain among the contenders at the top of qualifying group H. The 1-0 win away to Kazakhstan saw a dogged Finland control possession and take a late win, through Oliver Antman, in a scrappy match.

Roles were reversed against Denmark, who dominated possession and goalscoring chances but had to wait until late before securing the winning goal. Lukáš Hradecký pulled off a string of fine saves to deny Denmark but Finland’s lack of cutting edge around the box, ultimately, meant they had no reply to Pierre-Emile Højbjerg’s long-range strike. Continue reading Huuhkajat Match Reports: Kazakhstan 0-1 Finland & Finland 0-1 Denmark

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Huuhkajat Preview: Euro2024 Qualifiers – Kazakhstan vs Finland, Finland vs Denmark #KAZFIN #FINDEN

September 5, 2023October 9, 2023 Mark Wiltshear

Euro 2024. Astana Arena, Astana, 7th Sept 2023 | Olympia Stadion, Helsinki, 10th Sept 2023.

Mark W, Ally and Keke preview the third round of qualifying fixtures for Euro 2024, as Finland’s Huuhkajat travel to Kazakhstan before facing Denmark at home in a very finely-balanced Group H. They talk through a familiar looking Finland squad and even did some research into the opponents – you can be the judge on how effective that was!

They also look at the final standings in the Veikkausliiga table as the regular season ends and the table splits – being sure to give a special mention to Honka 😉 Continue reading Huuhkajat Preview: Euro2024 Qualifiers – Kazakhstan vs Finland, Finland vs Denmark #KAZFIN #FINDEN

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[Podcast] Finnish Football Show: Veikkausliiga about to split, HJK into Europa Conference, Managerial Changes, Suomen Cup

August 30, 2023August 30, 2023 Mark Wiltshear

We’re fast approaching the business end of the season, when the Veikkausliiga splits into the Mestaruussarja (Champions series) and the Haastajasrja (Challenger series). So Mark W & Rich take a detailed look at the recent Veikkausliiga action, including WTF have they put in the water in Vaasa? And who has tampered with the lasagne in Seinäjoki?

They previously discussed the Finnish clubs in European action and take another look at HJK Helsinki’s annual tour of all three competitions! They also cover the final stages of the Suomen Cup, before ending with a Kekeless round-up of transfers for Finnish players in Finns Overseas.

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[Podcast] Finnish Football Show: Champions League, Europa Conference, Veikkausliiga update, Robert Taylor & Leo Messi

July 28, 2023July 28, 2023 Mark Wiltshear

After the recent fun of watching the Huuhkajat score a hatful of goals, the team is back to look at the recent action for the Finnish club sides. Mark W, Keke, Ally & Rich start by looking at the early rounds of European action, with HJK progressing in the Champions League, and KuPS, Haka & Honka in Europa Conference action.

Talk then turns to the domestic scene and Mark & Ally lock horns (gently!) to look forward to the big SJK vs HJK match this coming weekend. The Veikkausliiga discussion includes the consistency of SJK, the indifferent form of KuPS and HJK, the continued progress of AC Oulu and the stunning recent form of VPS Vaasa – 5 wins in 5 🙌🏼

The show ends with Keke’s round-up of Finns overseas which, of course, starts with the impact of Leo Messi at Inter Miami, where Finland’s Robert Taylor’s great form is making Messi look like a star!