Tag: Helmarit

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Veikkausliiga April Review. HJK Helsinki & SJK Seinäjoki. Kansallinenliiga Kicks Off. Suomen Cup 3rd Round. Euro 2025 Qualifiers. Finns Overseas.

Mark Wiltshear

In this episode, Mark W, Keke & Ally are joined by Max from the No Niin It’s Jalkapallo blog. The team discuss the first month of action in the Veikkausliiga, as SJK make a strong start and HJK makes heavy work of their opening schedule. Max then talks us through the start of the women’s Kansallinenliiga, explaining the early rounds of games, league positions and the changes coming to the league in 2024.

They also look briefly at the 3rd round of the Suomen Cup (where the first batch of Veikkausliiga teams join the fun), look back at the recent Euro 2025 Qualifiers for the Helmarit (particularly the impressive 2-1 win over Italy and, finally, Keke runs us through the recent stories about Finnish players in overseas leagues. Continue reading Veikkausliiga April Review. HJK Helsinki & SJK Seinäjoki. Kansallinenliiga Kicks Off. Suomen Cup 3rd Round. Euro 2025 Qualifiers. Finns Overseas.

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 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.

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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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Helmarit Match Reports: Finland 3-0 Croatia & Croatia 0-2 Finland. Veikkausliiga Ends. HJK in Europa Conference Action. Managers On The Move.

Mark Wiltshear

Women’s Nations League 2023, Group B2, Games 3 & 4.

Mark W and Keke review the two most recent games for the Finland women’s national team, as the Helmarit steamrollered over Croatia, twice, home and away. A truly dominant home victory (just look at the match stats) was followed up by an equally dominant away performance. All of which leaves Finland on the cusp of winning group B2 and progressing into League A for the Euro 2025 qualifying campaign.

They round-up the Veikkausliiga playoffs for the final 2024 Europa Conference League place are now complete. With VPS Vaasa surprising no-one, as they won their final two games against Honka, to secure their return to European action next year. They also throw forward to the remaining games for HJK Helsinki in the 2023 Europa Conference League. Finally, no sooner has the season ended, then the managerial merry-go-round cranks into gear… Continue reading Helmarit Match Reports: Finland 3-0 Croatia & Croatia 0-2 Finland. Veikkausliiga Ends. HJK in Europa Conference Action. Managers On The Move.

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Helmarit Preview: Women’s Nations League – Finland vs Croatia Double-header. Veikkausliiga Finale – HJK Helsinki Crowned Champions (Again!)

Mark Wiltshear

Bolt Arena, Helsinki, 27th Oct 2023 | Sibenik, Croatia, 31st Oct 2023

Mark W and Keke preview the next round of games in the Women’s Nations League, as the Helmarit face a double-header against Croatia. They look at the consistent Finland squad selections, the upcoming opponents Croatia, and make their predictions.

They also look back at the final round of Veikkausliiga games, that saw HJK Helsinki crowned champions (again!) and consider the chances for the competitors of the Europa Conference playoffs; SJK, Honka, Inter, Oulu and VPS! Continue reading Helmarit Preview: Women’s Nations League – Finland vs Croatia Double-header. Veikkausliiga Finale – HJK Helsinki Crowned Champions (Again!)

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Helmarit Match Reports: Finland 4-0 Slovakia & Romania 0-1 Finland. Veikkausliiga Update plus VPS Fan, Ville

Mark Wiltshear

Women’s Nations League 2023, Group B2, Games 1 & 2.

Mark W and Rich look back at Finland’s two recent games in the Women’s Nations League, as the Helmarit took maximum points from Slovakia and Romania. A relatively straightforward 4-0 home win, followed by a battle against heat, humidty and Romania, played on a soft, freshly-ploughed field!

They also look at the second round of matches in the Veikkausliiga Mestarus- and Haastaja- series: As VPS Vaasa continue to brush aside all challengers, we speak with Vepsu fan, Ville, to find out how they have succeeded in equalling the league’s record for consecutive wins, which is currently 12 (and counting!) Continue reading Helmarit Match Reports: Finland 4-0 Slovakia & Romania 0-1 Finland. Veikkausliiga Update plus VPS Fan, Ville

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Helmarit Preview: Inaugural Women’s Nations League, Helmarit Squad, Veikkausliiga Update

Mark Wiltshear

Women’s Nations League 2023. Veritas Stadion, Turku, 22nd Sept 2023 | Stadionul Arcul de Triumf, Bukarest, 26th Sept 2023

Mark W and Keke preview the inaugural Women’s Nations League, bringing you a brief overview of this new competiton and how the qualfying competitons for the women’s tournaments are neatly aligned! They look at the Finland squad selections, the upcoming opponents Slovakia, Romania and Croatia, assess the recent form and consider the Helmarit’s chances of gaining promotion.

They also take a quick look at the recent Veikkausliiga games as the Mestarus- and Haastaja- series get underway. Continue reading Helmarit Preview: Inaugural Women’s Nations League, Helmarit Squad, Veikkausliiga Update