Category: Podcast Show Notes

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.

Helmarit, Podcast Show NotesLeave a comment

Match Reports: Euro 2025 Qualifiers, Finland 1-1 Norway and Italy 4-0 Finland.

Mark Wiltshear

The FFS team are back today to review last week’s games for the women’s national team, the Helmarit. Mark W and Keke discuss two Euro 2025 qualifiers for the Helmarit, well-deserved draw with Norway, followed by a disappointing collapse against Italy. Far from ending Finland’s qualification dreams, however, the Helmarit now have a further play-off campaign to navigate 🤷🏻‍♂️ Continue reading Match Reports: Euro 2025 Qualifiers, Finland 1-1 Norway and Italy 4-0 Finland.

In Conversation, Podcast Show NotesLeave a comment

[Podcast] In Conversation with… Stevie Grieve

Mark Wiltshear

In this episode, Mark W sits down for a one-on-one chat with Stevie Grieve, just recently confirmed officially as the head coach at SJK Seinäjoki.

Stevie talks through his career that started with a job coaching badminton, took in a variety of technical and coaching roles around the world, included hosting his own TV show in India before arrivinga at SJK in early-2023.

We then get into the details of his time in Finland: how did he first connect with SJK Seinäjoki? How did he settle in to Finnish life? What was his biggest surprise about Finland?

We also discuss Stevie’s role at SJK, both in recruitment and coaching? Just what are the principles of ‘Grieveball’? And how well-suited are Finnish players to other leagues overseas (and why)? We conclude by looking at his ambitions both for the club and for himself in the (hopefully, quite distant) future!!

Video & audio production on this episode by Glenn Murray & Sarah Senf.

Continue reading “[Podcast] In Conversation with… Stevie Grieve”
Helmarit, Huuhkajat, Podcast Show NotesLeave a comment

Match Reports: Euro 2025 Qualifiers, Finland vs Netherlands. Plus Huuhkajat vs Portugal and Scotland.

Mark Wiltshear

The FFS team are back today to review last week’s games for both the women’s national team, the Helmarit, and the men’s national team, the Huuhkajat. Mark W, Keke, Mark H and Rasmus discuss two Euro 2025 qualifiers for the Helmarit, both close-fought games against the Netherlands.

The Huuhkajat, however, provided pre-Euro 2024 practice for Portugal and Scotland, while also trying a few new things themselves. They hear about Keke’s trip to Glasgow and finish up with an update on manager, Markku ‘Rive’ Kanerva’s future. Continue reading Match Reports: Euro 2025 Qualifiers, Finland vs Netherlands. Plus Huuhkajat vs Portugal and Scotland.

Kansallinen Liiga, Podcast Show Notes, VeikkausliigaLeave a comment

Veikkausliiga May Review. Ilves & Lahti Fans. Kansallinenliiga Update. Suomen Cup 4th Round Results.

Mark Wiltshear

In this episode, Mark W and Ally are joined by Rasmus Junila who works in sports media around the Tampere area. He is also an Ilves fans, so this is the perfect episode for him to join the pod.

The team discuss the past month of action in the Veikkausliiga, as Ilves & KuPS rise to the top of the table and Mark & Ally share their recent matchday expereinces as SJK and HJK fans. They are also joined by another FFS fan, Seppo, to discuss his team, FC Lahti, and their poor start to the season!

There is a good discussion and update on the current standings in the women’s Kansallinen Liiga. They also look back at the 4th round results in the Suomen Cup, look forward to the 5th round draw and discus the benefits of playing the final in the new, smaller Tammela Stadion, rather than the Olympia Stadion. Continue reading Veikkausliiga May Review. Ilves & Lahti Fans. Kansallinenliiga Update. Suomen Cup 4th Round Results.

Helmarit, Huuhkajat, Podcast Show NotesLeave a comment

Preview: Euro 2025 Qualifiers, Finland vs Netherlands Double-header. Plus Huuhkajat Friendlies.

Mark Wiltshear

Summer has finally arrived in Finland and so has the pollen and the allergies. So while Mark W sniffs and sneezes through this episode, the Finnish women’s national team, the Helmarit, are traveling to Netherlands for the first game in a Euro 2025 double-header. They do have to come straight back for the return match, though.

Keke joins Mark to look at the Finland squad, remind you of the recent results in qualifying group A1 and preview the two games against the Leeuwinnen (Lionesses). They also look at the men’s national team, the Huuhkajat, who will play friendlies next week against Scotland and Portugal. Continue reading Preview: Euro 2025 Qualifiers, Finland vs Netherlands Double-header. Plus Huuhkajat Friendlies.

Huuhkajat, Podcast Show Notes1 Comment

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.

Podcast Show Notes, Veikkausliiga1 Comment

Veikkausliiga 2024 Preview

Mark Wiltshear

We cut it fine, but we got this out just in time for the big kick-off on Saturday 6.4.2024.

In this episode, Mark W and Keke get things started, before handing over to some FFS listeners who present their team’s chances in the league this year. Huge thanks to Farid, Max, Ally (you know him), Julian and Jamie – we literally couldn’t have done this without you all! 🙌🏼 Continue reading Veikkausliiga 2024 Preview

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.