Tag: Palloliitto

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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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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

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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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Huuhkajat Preview: Euro2024 Qualifiers – Kazakhstan vs Finland, Finland vs Denmark #KAZFIN #FINDEN

Mark Wiltshear

Euro 2024. Astana Arena, Astana, 7th Sept 2023 | Olympia Stadion, Helsinki, 10th Sept 2023.

Mark W, Ally and Keke preview the third round of qualifying fixtures for Euro 2024, as Finland’s Huuhkajat travel to Kazakhstan before facing Denmark at home in a very finely-balanced Group H. They talk through a familiar looking Finland squad and even did some research into the opponents – you can be the judge on how effective that was!

They also look at the final standings in the Veikkausliiga table as the regular season ends and the table splits – being sure to give a special mention to Honka 😉 Continue reading Huuhkajat Preview: Euro2024 Qualifiers – Kazakhstan vs Finland, Finland vs Denmark #KAZFIN #FINDEN

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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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Huuhkajat Preview: Euro2024 Qualifiers #FINSVN #FINSMR

Mark Wiltshear

Euro 2024. Olympia Stadion, Helsinki – 16th and 19th June 2023

Mark W, Rich and Keke preview the second round of qualifying fixtures for Euro 2024, as Finland takes on Slovenia & San Marino in Group H. They talk through the Finland squad in some detail, welcoming the new faces, speculating on the team selection, formations, etc. and, probably, not having much to say about the Huuhkajat’s upcoming opponents – Slovenia & San Marino – sorry about that! Continue reading Huuhkajat Preview: Euro2024 Qualifiers #FINSVN #FINSMR

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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