Tag: Finland National Team

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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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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

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[Podcast] In Conversation with… Juha Pirinen

Mark Wiltshear

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”
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Huuhkajat Match Reports: Finland 2-0 Slovenia & Finland 6-0 San Marino

Mark Wiltshear

UEFA Euro 2024 Qualifiers, Group H, Games 3 and 4

The Huuhkajat gain two wins (and two clean sheets) to build a lead at the top of qualifying group H on goal difference. The 2-0 win against Slovenia saw Finland ride their luck while facing many goalscoring opportunities from their opponents. While during the 6-0 win against San Marino, Finland dominated possession and faced only one shot (on target) as they gained a commanding victory. Star player of the weekend is no contest; 9-minute hat-trick hero Daniel Håkans took that prize! Continue reading Huuhkajat Match Reports: Finland 2-0 Slovenia & Finland 6-0 San Marino

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[Podcast] Finnish Football Show: Veikkausliiga Season Underway, Suomen Cup Update, Women’s Nations League Draw, Huuhkajat Ticket Sales

Mark Wiltshear

Lots to discuss as the Veikkausliiga gets going, with most teams having played at least 5 games. So Mark W, Keke, Rich and Ally recovene to look at the opening rounds. What’s new? SJK winning. What’s old? HJK at the top. And any surprises at this early stage.

They also look at the early rounds of the Suomen Cup, with a couple of first-hand accounts of games in Seinäjoki from Mark. Rich also tells us all about the draw for the inaugural Women’s Nations League. And there’s a little more news on ticket sales for the men’s national team Euro 2024 qualifers.

Continue reading “[Podcast] Finnish Football Show: Veikkausliiga Season Underway, Suomen Cup Update, Women’s Nations League Draw, Huuhkajat Ticket Sales”
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Huuhkajat Match Reports: Euro 2024 Qualifiers #DENFIN #NIRFIN

Mark Wiltshear

UEFA Euro 2024 Qualifier, Group H, Games 1 & 2

After a hectic week of Euro 2024 qualifying action, Mark W, Keke and Ally look back at Finland’s first two games. A 3-1 defeat away to Denmark and a 1-0 win in Northern Ireland, leaves Finland with 3 points, along with most of the other group. All of who are trailing early leaders… Slovenia! Continue reading Huuhkajat Match Reports: Euro 2024 Qualifiers #DENFIN #NIRFIN

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[Podcast] Finnish Football Show: Helmarit Win the Cyprus Cup, Liigacup Update, Transfer News, Finns Overseas, Huuhkajat “Season Ticket” Sales

Mark Wiltshear

It’s the Mark W & Keke Show again (sorry!) but we wanted to keep you informed as we plough through the closed season. Firstly, Keke reviews the recent performances of the women’s national team, the Helmarit, in winning the Cyprus Cup competition against Croatia, Romania and Hungary.

Next, Mark looks at the recent Liigacup results as the group stage nears its conclusion ahead of the semi-final stage. They also look at some of the more notable transfers involving Finnish clubs and players in the past few weeks, impressive sales of Huuhkajat ‘season tickets’ for the home Euro 2024 qualifiers, and finish up by speculating “just how good is Mark H’s new sauna?”

Continue reading “[Podcast] Finnish Football Show: Helmarit Win the Cyprus Cup, Liigacup Update, Transfer News, Finns Overseas, Huuhkajat “Season Ticket” Sales”
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[Podcast] Finnish Football Show: Liigacup Results, Veikkausliiga Talent Drain → More Finns Overseas, Huuhkajat Friendlies & Euro 2024 Campaign, News Around The Helmarit

Mark Wiltshear

The FFS team is down to its bare bones for this episode, as Mark W & Keke get together to look at recent developments in the Finnish Football world.

First up, the first few results in the revamped Liigacup. Then a discussion on the exodus of players from the Veiikausliiga and worry about a talent drain, although this does mean more Finns playing overseas, for Keke to track!

They look back at the Huuhkajat winter training camp & friendlies in Portugal and then forward to the upcoming Euro 2024 qualifiers.Finally, the Helmarit prepare for the Cyprus Cup tournament and the four Nordic countries prepare a joint bid to host Euro 2025.

Continue reading “[Podcast] Finnish Football Show: Liigacup Results, Veikkausliiga Talent Drain → More Finns Overseas, Huuhkajat Friendlies & Euro 2024 Campaign, News Around The Helmarit”