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.

[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”

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.

Veikkausliiga 2024 Preview

We cut it fine, but we got this out just in time for the big kick-off on Saturday 6.4.2024.

In this episode, Mark W and Keke get things started, before handing over to some FFS listeners who present their team’s chances in the league this year. Huge thanks to Farid, Max, Ally (you know him), Julian and Jamie – we literally couldn’t have done this without you all! 🙌🏼 Continue reading Veikkausliiga 2024 Preview

Nations League Opponents Confirmed – Huuhkajat To Play England! Finns Overseas. Recent Transfers.

New year, new format FFS. Shorter shows, but more regularly. Hopefully!

As the Veikkausliiga teams build up to the season starting, behind the scenes there’s plenty of action. In this episode, Mark W, Rich & Keke look at recent transfers for Veikkausliiga teams and players, as well as Finns moving around overseas. Then they look at the draw for 2024 Nations League, with the Huuhkajat drawn against England, Republic of Ireland and Greece. Continue reading Nations League Opponents Confirmed – Huuhkajat To Play England! Finns Overseas. Recent Transfers.

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

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.

Suomen Cup Final Honka 1-2 Ilves with Ilves Fan – Jamie and KuPS 5-0 HJK. Plus Veikkausliiga Update

Mark W chats to Ilves fan Jamie about his day out at the men’s Suomen Cup final, as Ilves beat Honka 2-1 to win the trophy and salvage what was shaping-up to be a poor season. In the women’s Suomen Cup final, KuPS beat HJK 5-0.

Mark & Jamie also talk about the recent round of Veikkausliiga games and how the Haastajasarja has helped Ilves find the form they needed to win the cup and qualify for Europe, which sets Ilves up perfectly for the opening of their new stadium in 2024. Continue reading Suomen Cup Final Honka 1-2 Ilves with Ilves Fan – Jamie and KuPS 5-0 HJK. Plus Veikkausliiga Update

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

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