Tag: Helmarit

Helmarit, Huuhkajat, Podcast Show Notes, VeikkausliigaLeave a comment

Is Finland Heading ‘Backe to the Future’?*

Mark Wiltshear

Mark W and Keke again with match reports from Finland’s two away games; a 1-0 friendly defeat to Norway, followed by a 3-1 defeat in the World Cup qualifier against Poland. Keke shares tales from his trip to Chorzów, Poland. They revisit the topic of an early episode* to ask if Finland is regressing under Jacob Friis, back to the performances of the Hans Backe era.

Finally, they discuss a positive week for Finnish referee, Mohammad Al-Emara, who made his elite international debut in the England-Andorra match at Wembley, before an unprecedented(?) post-match Q&A with the fans, after SJK 3-3 HJK 🤯

* See FFS episode #12: Backe sacke & ‘Crack’. Hans Backe Fired. Continue reading Is Finland Heading ‘Backe to the Future’?*

Helmarit, Huuhkajat, Podcast Show Notes, VeikkausliigaLeave a comment

Huuhkajat & U21 Match Previews. Veikkausliiga splits into Champions & Challenger series.

Mark Wiltshear

Mark W and Keke get back together after a long summer break. They give a brief update on the Veikkausliiga* as the league season splits into the Mestaruussarja and Haastajasarja. Who is in the race to win and who is trembling on the relegation trapdoor?

They then focus on upcoming games for the Finland men’s national teams, as the Huuhkajat play Norway in a friendly, before facing Poland away in a World Cup qualifier. The U21s, the Pikkuhuuhkajat, also have two games over the coming weekend, both Euro qualifiers against San Marino (home) and Cyprus (away).

* Look out for our full review of the Veikkausliiga season so far, as we hear from fans reviewing their club’s performances in the runkosarja. Coming soon. Continue reading Huuhkajat & U21 Match Previews. Veikkausliiga splits into Champions & Challenger series.

Helmarit, Huuhkajat, Podcast Show NotesLeave a comment

200th Episode of FFS with special guest, Stevie Grieve. Plus international match reports & Women’s Euro preview.

Mark Wiltshear

Special episode, this one, as FFS achieves its 200th episode. SJK Seinäjoki Head Coach, Stevie Grieve joined Mark W and Ally to chat about SJK’s season so far. They are then joined by occasional contributor, Seppo, who is the middle of a busy summer of international football.

They discuss the two World Cup Qualifiers for the Huuhkajat, a 0-2 defeat to Netherlands and a 2-1 victory over Poland. Seppo also shares his experiences travelling to Kosice, Slovakia with the Pikkuhuuhkajat, to watch Finland in the U21 Euro 2025 finals. They finish up with a preview of the Helmarit’s upcoming fixtures in the Women’s Euro 2025 finals – finding real reasons to feel optimistic about Finland’s chances. Hyvä Suomi 🦉 Continue reading 200th Episode of FFS with special guest, Stevie Grieve. Plus international match reports & Women’s Euro preview.

Helmarit, Huuhkajat, Podcast Show Notes, VeikkausliigaLeave a comment

New Kit For Finland. Helmarit Nations League Match Reports. Huuhkajat World Cup Qualifier Previews. U21 Euros Preview. Veikkausliiga Update.

Mark Wiltshear

Keke hosts again as Producer Mark is ‘otherwise engaged’ feeling poorly. He is joined by Ally and Rasmus to look at a very busy spell for Finnish football, starting with launch of an eye-catching new kit for the Finland National teams 😮‍💨🤌

They looked back at the recent Nations League matches for the Helmarit, who just missed out on promotion from Group B3, but who are heading straight into the Women’s Euro 2025 in Switzerland in July. Next, they preview upcoming Men’s World Cup 2026 Qualifiers with the Huuhkajat facing the Netherlands (Sat 7.6.) and Poland (Tue 10.6.) The international segment finishes with a preview of the under-21 Euro 2025, where Finland’s ‘Pikkuhuuhkajat’ will compete.

They finish the show with a look at (mostly the top of) the Veikkausliiga, considering the recent performances of Ilves, KuPS Kuopio, HJK Helsinki and Inter Turku – being sure to save a few minutes to smirk and chuckle at SJK Seinäjoki’s recent form! When the (SJK supporting) cat is away, the mice will play… Continue reading New Kit For Finland. Helmarit Nations League Match Reports. Huuhkajat World Cup Qualifier Previews. U21 Euros Preview. Veikkausliiga Update.

Helmarit, Huuhkajat, Podcast Show NotesLeave a comment

Huuhkajat World Cup Qualifier Match Reports. Helmarit Nations League Group B3 Match Reports.

Mark Wiltshear

Keke & Mark H are ‘let loose’ on the pod as Producer Mark is either a) skiving or, b) recovering from the three Veikkausliiga preview pods – you decide reader/listener/viewer 😉

Mark & Keke look back at Jacob Friis’ first competitve games as Huuhkajat head coach. Two matches that saw Finland win 1-0 away to Malta, before drawing away 2-2 with Lithuania. Then they turn their attention to the Helmarit and two more Nations League games, a 0-0 draw at home to Belarus followed by a 3-0 home win over Hungary. Continue reading Huuhkajat World Cup Qualifier Match Reports. Helmarit Nations League Group B3 Match Reports.

Helmarit, Huuhkajat, Podcast Show NotesLeave a comment

Helmarit Match Reports: Montenegro 0-1 Finland + Finland 5-0 Montenegro. Plus Huuhkajat Nations League Preview.

Mark Wiltshear

Mark W and Keke make up a threadbare looking FFS team for this epsidoe, too review the recent, back-to-back wins for the women’s national team. The Helmarit beat Montenegro to go through the Euro 2025 second playoff round against Scotland, with the winner earning a place in the finals in Switzerland next July.

On Tuesday 12.11. the group for the next Women’s Nations League were announced, Mark and Keke also discuss Finland’s opponents in group B3. They then turn their attention to the men’s national team, as the Huuhkajat prepare to face Ireland and Greece in group B2, knowing that two wins is the only thing that will save them from relegation to League C 😰 Continue reading Helmarit Match Reports: Montenegro 0-1 Finland + Finland 5-0 Montenegro. Plus Huuhkajat Nations League Preview.

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Huuhkajat Match Reports: Finland 1-2 Ireland + Finland 1-3 England. Plus Helmarit Squad Announced For Euro 2025 Playoffs.

Mark Wiltshear

Mark W, Ally and Keke get together to look back at two more defetats for Finland, as the Huuhkajat went down to a late winner against Ireland, and were generally outcalssed by England. However, what they thought was going to be a pessimistic show, somehow took an upbeat turn – mucch to their surprise too!

Hear them discuss the games, the goals and the top performers, as well as the reaction of teh Finland fans on the Pohjoiskaarre, which suggests head coach Markku Kanerva may have lost their support 🤔 Continue reading Huuhkajat Match Reports: Finland 1-2 Ireland + Finland 1-3 England. Plus Helmarit Squad Announced For Euro 2025 Playoffs.

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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.

Helmarit, Huuhkajat, Podcast Show NotesLeave a comment

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.