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

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.

[Podcast] In Conversation with… Stevie Grieve

In this episode, Mark W sits down for a one-on-one chat with Stevie Grieve, just recently confirmed officially as the head coach at SJK Seinäjoki.

Stevie talks through his career that started with a job coaching badminton, took in a variety of technical and coaching roles around the world, included hosting his own TV show in India before arrivinga at SJK in early-2023.

We then get into the details of his time in Finland: how did he first connect with SJK Seinäjoki? How did he settle in to Finnish life? What was his biggest surprise about Finland?

We also discuss Stevie’s role at SJK, both in recruitment and coaching? Just what are the principles of ‘Grieveball’? And how well-suited are Finnish players to other leagues overseas (and why)? We conclude by looking at his ambitions both for the club and for himself in the (hopefully, quite distant) future!!

Video & audio production on this episode by Glenn Murray & Sarah Senf.

Continue reading “[Podcast] In Conversation with… Stevie Grieve”

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.

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 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.

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.