Tag: Finland National Team

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.

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Huuhkajat Preview: Euro2024 Play-off – Wales vs Finland. Robert Taylor’s Statement. Helmarit Win Pinatar Cup🥇 Liigacup Update.

Mark Wiltshear

Cardiff City Stadium, Cardiff, 21st Mar 2024

A pod of two halves as Mark W & Rich kick things off with updates on the Liigacup and news from Veikkausliiga teams. The main event is, naturally, the Euro 2024 playoffs via teh Nations League pathways. Rich talks through the Huuhkajat squad who’s in and why did Robert Taylor not join up with the squad?

Keke joins Mark W for the second half and shares insights into the form of the Finnish players. He also looks back at the Helmarit win in the Pinatar Cup, three more wins (one on penalties) as the womens national team prepare for their Euro2025 qualifiers in autumn. A short Finns Overseas section is interupted by a statement from Robert Taylor, on Instagram, explaining why he stayed in Miami – no, not the weather, his fitness! Continue reading Huuhkajat Preview: Euro2024 Play-off – Wales vs Finland. Robert Taylor’s Statement. Helmarit Win Pinatar Cup🥇 Liigacup Update.

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Helmarit Squad Announced for Pinatar Cup. Liigacup Update.

Mark Wiltshear

The Finnish women’s national team, the Helmarit, will be in Pinatar Cup action this week. For those not familiar with the Pinatar Cup, Mark W & Keke give you an explanation, an introduction to the Finland squad and, then, look forward to three games in seven days for the Helmarit.

The groups stage of the Liigacup is nearly over, so they look at recent results, the current league standings, and Mark explains just why he (and all the other SJK fans) feel so agrrrieved about losing to KuPS last weekend. Continue reading Helmarit Squad Announced for Pinatar Cup. Liigacup Update.

Finns Overseas, Huuhkajat, Podcast Show NotesLeave a comment

Nations League Opponents Confirmed – Huuhkajat To Play England! Finns Overseas. Recent Transfers.

Mark Wiltshear

New year, new format FFS. Shorter shows, but more regularly. Hopefully!

As the Veikkausliiga teams build up to the season starting, behind the scenes there’s plenty of action. In this episode, Mark W, Rich & Keke look at recent transfers for Veikkausliiga teams and players, as well as Finns moving around overseas. Then they look at the draw for 2024 Nations League, with the Huuhkajat drawn against England, Republic of Ireland and Greece. Continue reading Nations League Opponents Confirmed – Huuhkajat To Play England! Finns Overseas. Recent Transfers.

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Head coach confusion at HJK & SJK. First Honka, now bankruptcy for HIFK. ⁠Liigacup starts. ⁠FFS in the Suomen Cup draw (kinda). ⁠Upcoming Nations League draw.

Mark Wiltshear

Happy New Year! OK, it’s a little late but, like very sleepy Finnish bears we’ve finally come out of hibernation. FFS!

There hasn’t been too much action on the pitch, bt there’s been plenty off it. In this episode, Mark W, Rich & Keke look at the managerial situation at HJK and SJK and get to teh bottom of why both clubs have substitute head coaches. They also look at the situation at HIFK, who went bankrupt (again), did not renew it’s licence for Ykkösliiga and dropped down to Kolmonen for the 2024 season.

They then look at various cup competitions. The Liigacup gets underway, Ally from the Finnish Football Show will play in the Suomen Cup this year and look forward to the draw for 2024 Nations League on Thursday 8.2. for the Huuhkajat – who still have the Nations League playoff for Euro 2024 to navigate in March! Continue reading Head coach confusion at HJK & SJK. First Honka, now bankruptcy for HIFK. ⁠Liigacup starts. ⁠FFS in the Suomen Cup draw (kinda). ⁠Upcoming Nations League draw.

Helmarit, Podcast Show NotesLeave a comment

Helmarit Match Reports: Finland 6-0 Romania & Slovakia 2-2 Finland. News Update: FC Honka, Liigacup 2024, New SJK Coach. Huuhkajat Euro Playoff & Nations League Draw. HJK’s Final Euro Match.

Mark Wiltshear

Women’s Nations League 2023, Group B2, Games 5 & 6.

Whew, this really is a jam-packed episode, as Mark W and Rich review the final two Women’s Nations League games for Finland’s Helmarit; a dominant 6-0 win over 10-woman Romania and a battling 2-2 draw away in Slovakia. They also look at the potential impact of this campaign on the Euro 2025 qualifying matches in late-2024.

They then look at the Huuhkajat, who not only have the Nations League playoff for Euro 2024, but their next Nations League group will be drawn early next year. Who said football never stops!

The Liigacup 2024 groups have been confirmed, so we look forward to some cold, indoor action starting in January. While in the Veikkausliiga, more dust has settled on FC Honka’s (latest) demise, while a new management team at SJK Seinäjoki prompts an in-depth look at SJK Akatemia in 2023. Continue reading Helmarit Match Reports: Finland 6-0 Romania & Slovakia 2-2 Finland. News Update: FC Honka, Liigacup 2024, New SJK Coach. Huuhkajat Euro Playoff & Nations League Draw. HJK’s Final Euro Match.

Helmarit, Huuhkajat, Podcast Show NotesLeave a comment

Huuhkajat Match Reports: Euro 2024 Qualifiers – Finland 4-0 Northern Ireland & San Marino 1-2 Finland. Euro 2024 Playoffs. Helmarit Nations League Preview.

Mark Wiltshear

UEFA Euro 2024 Qualifiers, Group H, Games 9 & 10.

A positive end to the Euro 2024 qualifying campaign for the Huuhkajat. A ‘dictionary definition dead-rubber’ vs Northern Ireland, was transformed into a thumping 4-0 win around halftime. And even though a 2-1 vistory in San Marino is a little too close for comfort, Finland secured two more wins and six more points.

Mark W, Ally and Rich reviewed both games, while Keke shared his experiences of an awayday to the microstate and helping San Marino celebrate their third consecutive goal. They discussed Finland’s potential route to the Euros via the Nations League playoffs, with an away game vs Wales and a possible home game vs Poland or Estonia. They end the show looking forward to the final two Nations League fixtures for the Helmarit, against Romania and Slovakia, and consider the prosepct of maximum points with zero goals conceded. Continue reading Huuhkajat Match Reports: Euro 2024 Qualifiers – Finland 4-0 Northern Ireland & San Marino 1-2 Finland. Euro 2024 Playoffs. Helmarit Nations League Preview.

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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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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