Tag: Finland National Team

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Match Previews: Huuhkajat World Cup Qualifiers & U21 Euro Qualifier. Plus Ilves fans’ BUSt-up in Seinäjoki.

Mark Wiltshear

Mark W and Keke look at the upcoming World Cup qualifiers for the Finland men’s national teams, as the Huuhkajat face Lithuania at home before travelling to play the Netherlands in Amsterdam. Finland need as many points as possible to have any hope of qualifying from group G. Finland’s U21s, the Pikkuhuuhkajat, also have two games over the coming week, a secretive friendly against the USA, followed by a U21 Euros qualifier away to Spain. Challenging weeks for both teams

Keke also asks Mark to explain why Ilves fans had a BUSt-up in Seinäjoki with an old London double-decker Routemaster… Continue reading Match Previews: Huuhkajat World Cup Qualifiers & U21 Euro Qualifier. Plus Ilves fans’ BUSt-up in Seinäjoki.

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 🔥

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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 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”
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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.

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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.

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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.

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.

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Huuhkajat Match Report: Wales 4-1 Finland. Huuhkajat Crash Out Of Euro 2024 Qualifiers.

Mark Wiltshear

UEFA Euro 2024 Qualifiers, Nations League, Path A

A demoralising 4-1 defeat for Finland, away to Wales in the Euro 2024 playoff, was not going to put off the FFS team – even Mark H made an appearance 😮 They discussed Mark W’s pre-match prediction live on BBC Radio 5Live, which was undermined by the Huuhkajat defence only three minutes into the game.

They also talked through the match highlights (possession stats) and lowlights (erm, four goals conceded) before finishing up with a discussion about Markku Kanerva, will he remain as Finland manager? And if not, who could replace him – you will never guess Mark H’s suggestion! Continue reading Huuhkajat Match Report: Wales 4-1 Finland. Huuhkajat Crash Out Of Euro 2024 Qualifiers.