Category: Podcast Show Notes

Finns Overseas, Huuhkajat, Podcast Show NotesLeave a comment

New Huuhkajat Head Coach. Liigacup update. Transfers for Finns Overseas. Suomen Cup Round 0, ‘Juuson Kierros’.

Mark Wiltshear

Mark W, Keke and Rasmus return from the winter hibernation with a round-up of recent events in the world of Finnish football. They start by sharing what they know about new Huuhkajat Head Coach, Jacob Friis, and it turns out they know more than they first thought! 🤓

They give a brief update on the Liigacup and Mark fumes at the thuggish tactics of ‘dirty Jaro’.Keke gives the low-down on the exploits of Finnish players overseas and some key transfers, including several Helmarit who have moved to play near to Keke. 😮

Finally, they look forward to round ‘0’ [ZERO] of the Suomen Cup and discuss why it’s known as Juuso’s Round – only to discover that FFS has TWO members playing in this round of the cup! 🤯 Continue reading New Huuhkajat Head Coach. Liigacup update. Transfers for Finns Overseas. Suomen Cup Round 0, ‘Juuson Kierros’.

Helmarit, Huuhkajat, Podcast Show NotesLeave a comment

Huuhkajat Nations League Relegation. ‘Rive’ Kanerva Sacked. Helmarit & Pikkuhuuhkajat Qualify For Euro 2025 🔥

Mark Wiltshear

Mark W and Keke get together to look back at two more defeats and relegation to Nations League C for Finland. This run of 6 defeats was also the final action in Markku ‘Rive’ Kanerva’s distinguished spell as Huuhkajat head coach. Ally sent his thoughts on Finland 0-2 Greece and Mark H, creator of the word Rivelution, explains why “Rive deserves a statue!”

Attention then turns to the women’s national team, as the Helmarit qualify for Euro 2025 in Switzerland with an aggregate 2-0 victory over Scotland. The men’s under-21s, the Pikkuhuuhkajat, add to a busy summer next year, qualifying for their Euro 2025 in Slovakia by trouncing Norway 6-3 on aggregate! Continue reading Huuhkajat Nations League Relegation. ‘Rive’ Kanerva Sacked. Helmarit & Pikkuhuuhkajat Qualify For Euro 2025 🔥

Helmarit, Huuhkajat, Podcast Show NotesLeave a comment

Helmarit Match Reports: Montenegro 0-1 Finland + Finland 5-0 Montenegro. Plus Huuhkajat Nations League Preview.

Mark Wiltshear

Mark W and Keke make up a threadbare looking FFS team for this epsidoe, too review the recent, back-to-back wins for the women’s national team. The Helmarit beat Montenegro to go through the Euro 2025 second playoff round against Scotland, with the winner earning a place in the finals in Switzerland next July.

On Tuesday 12.11. the group for the next Women’s Nations League were announced, Mark and Keke also discuss Finland’s opponents in group B3. They then turn their attention to the men’s national team, as the Huuhkajat prepare to face Ireland and Greece in group B2, knowing that two wins is the only thing that will save them from relegation to League C 😰 Continue reading Helmarit Match Reports: Montenegro 0-1 Finland + Finland 5-0 Montenegro. Plus Huuhkajat Nations League Preview.

Huuhkajat, Podcast Show NotesLeave a comment

Huuhkajat Match Reports: Finland 1-2 Ireland + Finland 1-3 England. Plus Helmarit Squad Announced For Euro 2025 Playoffs.

Mark Wiltshear

Mark W, Ally and Keke get together to look back at two more defetats for Finland, as the Huuhkajat went down to a late winner against Ireland, and were generally outcalssed by England. However, what they thought was going to be a pessimistic show, somehow took an upbeat turn – mucch to their surprise too!

Hear them discuss the games, the goals and the top performers, as well as the reaction of teh Finland fans on the Pohjoiskaarre, which suggests head coach Markku Kanerva may have lost their support 🤔 Continue reading Huuhkajat Match Reports: Finland 1-2 Ireland + Finland 1-3 England. Plus Helmarit Squad Announced For Euro 2025 Playoffs.

Podcast Show Notes, VeikkausliigaLeave a comment

Veikkausliiga Update: Final games previewed. KuPS wins the Suomen Cup (again!)

Mark Wiltshear

In this episode, Mark W, Rasmus and Mark H take centre stage to focus on the domestic game. They discuss the recent Suomen Cup final won by KuPS Kuopio (again) and then turn their attention to the closing stages of the Veikkausliiga season – where five of the top six places will be decided on the final game of the season. Several friends of the show also send in updates on their team, so we hear from Jamie (Ilves), Ally (HJK Helsinki), Julian (SJK Seinäjoki) and Farid & Isak (EIF Ekenäs). Continue reading Veikkausliiga Update: Final games previewed. KuPS wins the Suomen Cup (again!)

Huuhkajat, Podcast Show NotesLeave a comment

Huuhkajat Preview: Nations League 2024 – Finland vs Ireland + Finland vs England.

Mark Wiltshear

Olympia Stadion, Helsinki, Thu 10th Sept. and Sun 13the Sept.

It’s a home double for the Huuhkajat as both Ireland and England visit Stadi! Mark W, Ally, Keke, Rasmus and Mark H look forward to Finland’s upcoming fixtures, as they look to secure their first points in this Nations League competiton. They discuss the previous two games a little more, then preview the upcoming games, including a cameo from Ally who will be our man in the stand at both. Continue reading Huuhkajat Preview: Nations League 2024 – Finland vs Ireland + Finland vs England.

In Conversation, Podcast Show NotesLeave a comment

In Conversation with… Abdirahman Sugulle: “Is racism a problem in Finnish football?”

Mark Wiltshear

In this episode, the FFS team talk with Finnish referee, Abdirahman Sugulle. This episode was prompted by Abdi’s LinkedIn post in the summer of 2024, a powerful post in which he lashed out at racist abuse aimed at him by a supporter.

We invited Abdi on to discuss this situation, but also his rise through the Finnish refereeing system as a young ref of Somalian heritage, the influence other minority background referees had on him, the problem of racism is Finnish society and football, but also some lighter moments from his time on the pitch.

Continue reading “In Conversation with… Abdirahman Sugulle: “Is racism a problem in Finnish football?””
Huuhkajat, Podcast Show NotesLeave a comment

Huuhkajat Preview: Nations League 2024 – Greece vs Finland + England vs Finland.

Mark Wiltshear

Stadio Georgios Karaiskaki, Pireaeus, 7th Sept
Wembley Stadium, London, 10th Sept

Mark W, Ally, Keke and Mark H look forward to Finland’s upcoiming Nations League fixtures, as the Huuhkajat start their campaign with two away games. Firstly, taking on Greece in Pireaeus, before heading to London to play England at Wembley. They discuss new coaching teams for England and Finland, hear from former Finland captain Tim Sparv, and ponder whether Mark W & Keke are traitors?! 😆 Continue reading Huuhkajat Preview: Nations League 2024 – Greece vs Finland + England vs Finland.

In Conversation, Podcast Show Notes, VeikkausliigaLeave a comment

Guest host: Pyry Hannola + interview. Recent news. Veikkausliiga Update, August. Suomen Cup semi-finals. Veikkausliiga transfers.

Mark Wiltshear

In this episode, Mark W and Keke are joined by a guest host, SJK Seinäjoki playmaker, Pyry Hannola. Firstly, they discuss some recent news events from the world of Finnish football. Then they interview Pyry about his career to date, from his transfer to Denmark age 16 to his current role, starring for SJK near the top of the Veikkausliiga.

They are then joined by some of the FFS listeners, who give an update on their team and then get Pyry’s perspective on his Veikkausliiga opponents. They discuss the semi-finals of the Suomen Cup. then finish-up with a few prominant transfers to VL teams and a suggestion that you listen to the new, FFS-adjacent, SJK Seinäjoki fan podcast. Continue reading Guest host: Pyry Hannola + interview. Recent news. Veikkausliiga Update, August. Suomen Cup semi-finals. Veikkausliiga transfers.