Category: Podcast Show Notes

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.

In Conversation, Podcast Show Notes1 Comment

In Conversation with… Ashley Coffey

Mark Wiltshear

In this episode, Mark W is joined by AC Oulu hitman, Ashley Coffey, who talks through his unconventional route to the top of the Veikkausliiga scoring charts – kickstarting his professional career, by EMAIL(!), then working as a teacher while playing in the Swedish league, turning pro at Eskilstuna before moving to AC Oulu in Finland, and developing an unusual love/hate relationship with fans of SJK Seinäjoki. It’s an intriguing story that, hopefully, still has a few chapters to run.

Continue reading “In Conversation with… Ashley Coffey”
In Conversation, Podcast Show Notes2 Comments

In Conversation with… Ilmari Niskanen

Mark Wiltshear

In this episode, Keke logs in for a one-on-one chat with Ilmari Niskanen a Finland international player who has been a regular in Markku Kanerva’s squads since 2020 and a Veikkausliiga champion back in 2019, with KuPS Kuopio.

“Immi” talks Keke through his career that started at PK-37 before flourishing at KuPS Kuopio. A challenging move to Germany conicided with his call-up to the Finland national team. Then a spell at Dundee United in Scotland, which started well but ended in relegation, bofre Immi moved to Exeter City in the EFL League 1.

Continue reading “In Conversation with… Ilmari Niskanen”
Kansallinen Liiga, Podcast Show Notes, VeikkausliigaLeave a comment

Stadium Fire At IF Gnistan. Veikkausliiga June-July Review. EIF Ekenäs & KuPS Kuopio Fans. Kansallinenliiga Update. Men’s & Women’s Suomen Cup.

Mark Wiltshear

In this episode, Mark W and Keke are joined by once again by Rasmus Junila, who is becoming a regular recurring guest. They start this episode with a sad topic, the fire last weekend that destroyed the main stand at IF Gnistan’s Mustapekka Areena. They get the inside story from Frans Enala, Head of Communications & Marketing at IF Gnistan.

The team discuss the past month of action in the Veikkausliiga, as SJK and HJK join KuPS at the top of the table. Ally phones in his view of recent action at HJK and KuPS fan, Jouni, shares his thoughts on KuPS’ season so far. They are also joined by another FFS fan, Farid, an EIF Ekenäs fan who also has a soft spot for Gnistan.

There is an update on the current standings in the women’s Kansallinen Liiga. They also look back at recent results in the Men’s and Women’s Suomen Cup, with the women’s quarter-finals and men’s semi-finals to look forward to. Rasmus’ local knowledge of the Tampere scene is tested by news of an alleged betting scandal at Ilves-Kissat in Tampere. Continue reading Stadium Fire At IF Gnistan. Veikkausliiga June-July Review. EIF Ekenäs & KuPS Kuopio Fans. Kansallinenliiga Update. Men’s & Women’s Suomen Cup.