In this episode, Keke and Mark W are joined by another Huuhkajat star, Juha Pirinen. A versatile left-sided player and former Finland international with 20 caps, two Veikkausliiga Championships and a Suomen Cup to his name.

‘Piri’ talks us through his early career playing in the Veikkausliiga, starting at his hometown club, Haka, and the influence of his father and uncle, who were both professional footballers. His domestic career took in MyPa, RoPS and HJK and included playing in European competitions.

His form at RoPS led to his call-up to the international team and Juha explains why he had to take his girlfriend with him to his first Huuhkajat training camp! He also shares his perspective from inside the squad during the disappointing Hans Backe era.

International moves to Tromsø (Norway), AS Trencin (Slovakia) and Volos FC (Greece) followed, fulfilling another childhood dream of playing overseas. Although, his international career ended, sadly, just before Euro 2020 and he shares his feelings about missing out on those finals.

Continue reading “[Podcast] In Conversation with… Juha Pirinen”

In this episode, Keke, Rich and Mark W are joined by Huuhkajat star, Robert Ivanov. A Finland international player who has recently cemented himself into the Huuhkajat starting 11, was a member of the Euro 2020 squad and who looks certain will be commanding the Finnish defence for years to come.

Roba tells us how it felt to grow up and progress through the Finnish league system, from an 18-year-old ‘bambi’ at PK-35 to FC Myllypuro to FC Vikingit ‘to play with my friends’ and into the Veikkausliiga with FC Honka. He talks about his dream of playing for Arsenal and his move to Warta Poznan, in Poland, and explains that his transfer may not have been quite as expensive as Keke thought!

Finally, Robert talks about his international career, the joy of being selected in the Euro 2020 squad and the ‘changing of teh guard’ in the Finland defence since the Euros.

Continue reading “[Podcast] In Conversation with… Robert Ivanov”