Veikkausliiga Update: Final games previewed. KuPS wins the Suomen Cup (again!)

In this episode, Mark W, Rasmus and Mark H take centre stage to focus on the domestic game. They discuss the recent Suomen Cup final won by KuPS Kuopio (again) and then turn their attention to the closing stages of the Veikkausliiga season – where five of the top six places will be decided on the final game of the season. Several friends of the show also send in updates on their team, so we hear from Jamie (Ilves), Ally (HJK Helsinki), Julian (SJK Seinäjoki) and Farid & Isak (EIF Ekenäs). Continue reading Veikkausliiga Update: Final games previewed. KuPS wins the Suomen Cup (again!)

Guest host: Pyry Hannola + interview. Recent news. Veikkausliiga Update, August. Suomen Cup semi-finals. Veikkausliiga transfers.

In this episode, Mark W and Keke are joined by a guest host, SJK Seinäjoki playmaker, Pyry Hannola. Firstly, they discuss some recent news events from the world of Finnish football. Then they interview Pyry about his career to date, from his transfer to Denmark age 16 to his current role, starring for SJK near the top of the Veikkausliiga.

They are then joined by some of the FFS listeners, who give an update on their team and then get Pyry’s perspective on his Veikkausliiga opponents. They discuss the semi-finals of the Suomen Cup. then finish-up with a few prominant transfers to VL teams and a suggestion that you listen to the new, FFS-adjacent, SJK Seinäjoki fan podcast. Continue reading Guest host: Pyry Hannola + interview. Recent news. Veikkausliiga Update, August. Suomen Cup semi-finals. Veikkausliiga transfers.

Stadium Fire At IF Gnistan. Veikkausliiga June-July Review. EIF Ekenäs & KuPS Kuopio Fans. Kansallinenliiga Update. Men’s & Women’s Suomen Cup.

In this episode, Mark W and Keke are joined by once again by Rasmus Junila, who is becoming a regular recurring guest. They start this episode with a sad topic, the fire last weekend that destroyed the main stand at IF Gnistan’s Mustapekka Areena. They get the inside story from Frans Enala, Head of Communications & Marketing at IF Gnistan.

The team discuss the past month of action in the Veikkausliiga, as SJK and HJK join KuPS at the top of the table. Ally phones in his view of recent action at HJK and KuPS fan, Jouni, shares his thoughts on KuPS’ season so far. They are also joined by another FFS fan, Farid, an EIF Ekenäs fan who also has a soft spot for Gnistan.

There is an update on the current standings in the women’s Kansallinen Liiga. They also look back at recent results in the Men’s and Women’s Suomen Cup, with the women’s quarter-finals and men’s semi-finals to look forward to. Rasmus’ local knowledge of the Tampere scene is tested by news of an alleged betting scandal at Ilves-Kissat in Tampere. Continue reading Stadium Fire At IF Gnistan. Veikkausliiga June-July Review. EIF Ekenäs & KuPS Kuopio Fans. Kansallinenliiga Update. Men’s & Women’s Suomen Cup.

Veikkausliiga May Review. Ilves & Lahti Fans. Kansallinenliiga Update. Suomen Cup 4th Round Results.

In this episode, Mark W and Ally are joined by Rasmus Junila who works in sports media around the Tampere area. He is also an Ilves fans, so this is the perfect episode for him to join the pod.

The team discuss the past month of action in the Veikkausliiga, as Ilves & KuPS rise to the top of the table and Mark & Ally share their recent matchday expereinces as SJK and HJK fans. They are also joined by another FFS fan, Seppo, to discuss his team, FC Lahti, and their poor start to the season!

There is a good discussion and update on the current standings in the women’s Kansallinen Liiga. They also look back at the 4th round results in the Suomen Cup, look forward to the 5th round draw and discus the benefits of playing the final in the new, smaller Tammela Stadion, rather than the Olympia Stadion. Continue reading Veikkausliiga May Review. Ilves & Lahti Fans. Kansallinenliiga Update. Suomen Cup 4th Round Results.

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

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.

[Podcast] Finnish Football Show: Veikkausliiga about to split, HJK into Europa Conference, Managerial Changes, Suomen Cup

We’re fast approaching the business end of the season, when the Veikkausliiga splits into the Mestaruussarja (Champions series) and the Haastajasrja (Challenger series). So Mark W & Rich take a detailed look at the recent Veikkausliiga action, including WTF have they put in the water in Vaasa? And who has tampered with the lasagne in Seinäjoki?

They previously discussed the Finnish clubs in European action and take another look at HJK Helsinki’s annual tour of all three competitions! They also cover the final stages of the Suomen Cup, before ending with a Kekeless round-up of transfers for Finnish players in Finns Overseas.

Continue reading “[Podcast] Finnish Football Show: Veikkausliiga about to split, HJK into Europa Conference, Managerial Changes, Suomen Cup”

[Podcast] Finnish Football Show: Veikkausliiga Update, SJK Seinäjoki On Top, Suomen Cup Round 4

The main series of the Veikkausliiga season is now at the 30% stage, so Mark W and Rich focus mostly on that in this episode. Who are the slightly-surprising, new league leaders? Who are already struggling to keep up? And who are striving for mid-table safety?

To answer these questions, they are joined by Ally and listener, Jamie, who talk about their teams, HJK Helskinki and Ilves. They also look at the Suomen Cup now heading into round 5, and Mark W shares his 2023 Suomen Cup experiences; 4 games, 4 home defeats!

Continue reading “[Podcast] Finnish Football Show: Veikkausliiga Update, SJK Seinäjoki On Top, Suomen Cup Round 4”

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

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”

[Podcast] Finnish Football Show: Huuhkajat Training Camp & Friendlies, 2023 Finnish Footbal Schedules, Winter Transfer Activity & Finns Overseas

Mark W, Rich, Keke and Ally return after a longer-than-expected winter break. And having gorged on too much football the Qatar World Cup – and too much ham & turkey at Christmas – they now turn their attention back to Finnish football in 2023. They look forward to the winter training camp in Potugal, discuss the squad selection and the opponents, Sweden & Estonia.

They also run through the various schedules that affect the Finnish national teams and club sides; Euro 2024 qualifiers, Liiga Cup, Suomen Cup, Veikkausliiga, Champions League and Europa Conference League. Before looking at the early transfer activity invloving Veikkausliiga sides and Finns moving around overseas.

Continue reading “[Podcast] Finnish Football Show: Huuhkajat Training Camp & Friendlies, 2023 Finnish Footbal Schedules, Winter Transfer Activity & Finns Overseas”

[Podcast] Finnish Football Show: Veikkausliiga Run-in, Euro 2024 Draw, Essi Sainio Retires from Helmarit, Finns Overseas

Rich & Keke (enhanced by Producer Mark in post-production) discuss the upcoming Veikkausliiga play offs, as 5 teams enter an 8-match bun fight for the final Europa Conference place. They look again at the restructuring of the Finnish league in 2024, as a few more details are released and make everything clearer (erm!)

The chaps also pay a tribute to Essi Sainio, who retires from football with over 50 Helmarit caps to her name. They look at a favourable Euro 2024 qualifying draw for the Huuhkajat and start booking their flights to the qualifiers all across Europe, before finishing up with a look at recent events for Finnish players overseas.

Continue reading “[Podcast] Finnish Football Show: Veikkausliiga Run-in, Euro 2024 Draw, Essi Sainio Retires from Helmarit, Finns Overseas”