Finland and Canada will meet this weekend in Espoo in the two-part Ringete World Cup final. Based on the first training match, the level difference between the teams is alarmingly large.
Joel Sippola,
Samu Saatsi
17:22•Updated 17:42
– The end result was a little surprising and a little disappointing. Not only for Finns, but also for Canadians, a former ringette player Blue Forsblom says.
The outcome of the first training match between Finland and Canada, the top ringette countries, can really be considered a big surprise. In the game held on Tuesday, Finland crushed Canada with the dullest score of 19–1.
When it comes to the top two countries in the sport, based on the training game, the level difference is quite large. The last time the teams met was three years ago.
As the result shows, Finland was in a class of its own when finishing. Susanna Tapani hit 6+6, Roosa Salonen 6+2 and Anne Pohjola 2+10.
– Finland was also better in the goalkeeper game. Although Finland’s forwards are better, the expectation was that Canada would have been able to defend better. It was a surprise to me that their game seemed to be mediocre in every way. I hope they can improve on this as the week goes on, says Forsblom.
Forsblom says Canada is currently losing to Finland in top singles.
– In Finland, Anne Pohjola and Susanna Tapani are world-class players. It might give the wrong impression because Canada doesn’t have the same kind of super players.
– If Pohjola and Tapani were taken out of the game, it would be interesting to see what would happen.
There are also big differences in goalkeeper skills.
– Finland has been superior in the goalkeeping game for a long time. Maria Perkkola skills are from a different planet than the skills of Canadian goalies.
One-sided finals ahead?
A two-part World Cup final between Finland and Canada will be played in Espoo this weekend. Finland’s crushing victory raises the question of whether it is worth continuing with the current final match system.
Finland has won the previous championship.
– The direction is worrying. For many years, it has been expected that the punts would equalize and there would be more even matches. We have to go back years, when Finland and Canada were really equal, says Forsblom.
So what could Canada do to destabilize Finland?
– It was surprising that they did not take any measures to restrain the top individuals. If they can improve their defensive game, that will be one of the key things.
– Canada’s strength has always been an aggressive game. If they get more of it out, the punts even out.
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