Category: Huuhkajat

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Veikkausliiga April Review. HJK Helsinki & SJK Seinäjoki. Kansallinenliiga Kicks Off. Suomen Cup 3rd Round. Euro 2025 Qualifiers. Finns Overseas.

Mark Wiltshear

In this episode, Mark W, Keke & Ally are joined by Max from the No Niin It’s Jalkapallo blog. The team discuss the first month of action in the Veikkausliiga, as SJK make a strong start and HJK makes heavy work of their opening schedule. Max then talks us through the start of the women’s Kansallinenliiga, explaining the early rounds of games, league positions and the changes coming to the league in 2024.

They also look briefly at the 3rd round of the Suomen Cup (where the first batch of Veikkausliiga teams join the fun), look back at the recent Euro 2025 Qualifiers for the Helmarit (particularly the impressive 2-1 win over Italy and, finally, Keke runs us through the recent stories about Finnish players in overseas leagues. Continue reading Veikkausliiga April Review. HJK Helsinki & SJK Seinäjoki. Kansallinenliiga Kicks Off. Suomen Cup 3rd Round. Euro 2025 Qualifiers. Finns Overseas.

Helmarit, Huuhkajat, Podcast Show NotesLeave a comment
Finnish Football Show graphic with a list of topics in the 3.4.2024 episode.

Match Report: Finland 2-1 Estonia. Euro 2025 Qualifiers: Helmarit Squad Announced to face Norway & Italy.

Mark Wiltshear

Following the disappointment of the defeat to Wales. The Huuhkajat took on Estonia and delivered up a lukewarm performance, played on a terrrble pitch, in front of not that many supporters. Mark W and Keke talk through the ‘action’, while Mark H shares his experiences from the stadium.

They then look forward to the upcoming Euro 2025 qualifiers for the women’s national team, the Helmarit, who take on Norway and Italy in a challenging Group A1. Continue reading Match Report: Finland 2-1 Estonia. Euro 2025 Qualifiers: Helmarit Squad Announced to face Norway & Italy.

Huuhkajat, Podcast Show NotesLeave a comment

Huuhkajat Match Report: Wales 4-1 Finland. Huuhkajat Crash Out Of Euro 2024 Qualifiers.

Mark Wiltshear

UEFA Euro 2024 Qualifiers, Nations League, Path A

A demoralising 4-1 defeat for Finland, away to Wales in the Euro 2024 playoff, was not going to put off the FFS team – even Mark H made an appearance 😮 They discussed Mark W’s pre-match prediction live on BBC Radio 5Live, which was undermined by the Huuhkajat defence only three minutes into the game.

They also talked through the match highlights (possession stats) and lowlights (erm, four goals conceded) before finishing up with a discussion about Markku Kanerva, will he remain as Finland manager? And if not, who could replace him – you will never guess Mark H’s suggestion! Continue reading Huuhkajat Match Report: Wales 4-1 Finland. Huuhkajat Crash Out Of Euro 2024 Qualifiers.

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Huuhkajat Preview: Euro2024 Play-off – Wales vs Finland. Robert Taylor’s Statement. Helmarit Win Pinatar Cup🥇 Liigacup Update.

Mark Wiltshear

Cardiff City Stadium, Cardiff, 21st Mar 2024

A pod of two halves as Mark W & Rich kick things off with updates on the Liigacup and news from Veikkausliiga teams. The main event is, naturally, the Euro 2024 playoffs via teh Nations League pathways. Rich talks through the Huuhkajat squad who’s in and why did Robert Taylor not join up with the squad?

Keke joins Mark W for the second half and shares insights into the form of the Finnish players. He also looks back at the Helmarit win in the Pinatar Cup, three more wins (one on penalties) as the womens national team prepare for their Euro2025 qualifiers in autumn. A short Finns Overseas section is interupted by a statement from Robert Taylor, on Instagram, explaining why he stayed in Miami – no, not the weather, his fitness! Continue reading Huuhkajat Preview: Euro2024 Play-off – Wales vs Finland. Robert Taylor’s Statement. Helmarit Win Pinatar Cup🥇 Liigacup Update.

Finns Overseas, Huuhkajat, Podcast Show NotesLeave a comment

Nations League Opponents Confirmed – Huuhkajat To Play England! Finns Overseas. Recent Transfers.

Mark Wiltshear

New year, new format FFS. Shorter shows, but more regularly. Hopefully!

As the Veikkausliiga teams build up to the season starting, behind the scenes there’s plenty of action. In this episode, Mark W, Rich & Keke look at recent transfers for Veikkausliiga teams and players, as well as Finns moving around overseas. Then they look at the draw for 2024 Nations League, with the Huuhkajat drawn against England, Republic of Ireland and Greece. Continue reading Nations League Opponents Confirmed – Huuhkajat To Play England! Finns Overseas. Recent Transfers.

Helmarit, Huuhkajat, Podcast Show NotesLeave a comment

Huuhkajat Match Reports: Euro 2024 Qualifiers – Finland 4-0 Northern Ireland & San Marino 1-2 Finland. Euro 2024 Playoffs. Helmarit Nations League Preview.

Mark Wiltshear

UEFA Euro 2024 Qualifiers, Group H, Games 9 & 10.

A positive end to the Euro 2024 qualifying campaign for the Huuhkajat. A ‘dictionary definition dead-rubber’ vs Northern Ireland, was transformed into a thumping 4-0 win around halftime. And even though a 2-1 vistory in San Marino is a little too close for comfort, Finland secured two more wins and six more points.

Mark W, Ally and Rich reviewed both games, while Keke shared his experiences of an awayday to the microstate and helping San Marino celebrate their third consecutive goal. They discussed Finland’s potential route to the Euros via the Nations League playoffs, with an away game vs Wales and a possible home game vs Poland or Estonia. They end the show looking forward to the final two Nations League fixtures for the Helmarit, against Romania and Slovakia, and consider the prosepct of maximum points with zero goals conceded. Continue reading Huuhkajat Match Reports: Euro 2024 Qualifiers – Finland 4-0 Northern Ireland & San Marino 1-2 Finland. Euro 2024 Playoffs. Helmarit Nations League Preview.

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Huuhkajat Preview: Euro2024 Qualifiers – Finland vs Northern Ireland, San Marino vs Finland. Plus HJK in Europa Conference League & Veikkausliiga’s Crisis Clubs.

Mark Wiltshear

Olympia Stadion, Helsinki, 17th Nov 2023 | San Marino Stadium, Serravalle, 20th Nov 2023.

Mark W battled on bravely with a heavy cold, luckily, Ally & Keke joined him to preview the fifth and final round of qualifying fixtures for Euro 2024. Finland’s Huuhkajat host Northern Ireland at home, before travelling, with Keke in tow, over to the principality that is San Marino. They talk through a Finland squad with a few interesting additions and players returning to the squad.

Ally brought us a ringside perspective on HJK Helsinki in Europe, specifically HJK vs Eintract Frankfurt and he fumes about the disallowed goal that could’ve given HJK a share of the points. Rich joined with disappointing news from some Veikkausliiga clubs; financial trouble for Honka and KuPS, harrasment and misconduct at VPS and Inter. It’s a packed show! Continue reading Huuhkajat Preview: Euro2024 Qualifiers – Finland vs Northern Ireland, San Marino vs Finland. Plus HJK in Europa Conference League & Veikkausliiga’s Crisis Clubs.

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

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.

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

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