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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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Helmarit Match Reports: Finland 3-0 Croatia & Croatia 0-2 Finland. Veikkausliiga Ends. HJK in Europa Conference Action. Managers On The Move.

Mark Wiltshear

Women’s Nations League 2023, Group B2, Games 3 & 4.

Mark W and Keke review the two most recent games for the Finland women’s national team, as the Helmarit steamrollered over Croatia, twice, home and away. A truly dominant home victory (just look at the match stats) was followed up by an equally dominant away performance. All of which leaves Finland on the cusp of winning group B2 and progressing into League A for the Euro 2025 qualifying campaign.

They round-up the Veikkausliiga playoffs for the final 2024 Europa Conference League place are now complete. With VPS Vaasa surprising no-one, as they won their final two games against Honka, to secure their return to European action next year. They also throw forward to the remaining games for HJK Helsinki in the 2023 Europa Conference League. Finally, no sooner has the season ended, then the managerial merry-go-round cranks into gear… Continue reading Helmarit Match Reports: Finland 3-0 Croatia & Croatia 0-2 Finland. Veikkausliiga Ends. HJK in Europa Conference Action. Managers On The Move.

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Helmarit Preview: Women’s Nations League – Finland vs Croatia Double-header. Veikkausliiga Finale – HJK Helsinki Crowned Champions (Again!)

Mark Wiltshear

Bolt Arena, Helsinki, 27th Oct 2023 | Sibenik, Croatia, 31st Oct 2023

Mark W and Keke preview the next round of games in the Women’s Nations League, as the Helmarit face a double-header against Croatia. They look at the consistent Finland squad selections, the upcoming opponents Croatia, and make their predictions.

They also look back at the final round of Veikkausliiga games, that saw HJK Helsinki crowned champions (again!) and consider the chances for the competitors of the Europa Conference playoffs; SJK, Honka, Inter, Oulu and VPS! Continue reading Helmarit Preview: Women’s Nations League – Finland vs Croatia Double-header. Veikkausliiga Finale – HJK Helsinki Crowned Champions (Again!)

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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

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The Finnish Football Show Podcast Hits 150 Episodes

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!

Continue reading “The Finnish Football Show Podcast Hits 150 Episodes”
Helmarit, Podcast Show Notes1 Comment

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

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

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

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