The women’s Euro Hockey Tour will be played in Vierumäki and Lahti from the 22nd to the 27th. August. Match schedule: 22.8. Czech Republic–Finland, 23.8. Sweden–Finland, 24.8. Sweden–Czech Republic, 25.8. Finland–Czech Republic, 26.8. Finland–Sweden and 27.8. Czech Republic–Sweden.
The Finnish women’s national ice hockey team started its international EHT season on Tuesday with a victory. The female lions covered the Czech Republic 5–4 in Vierumäki.
The teams started the third set with a 3–3 tie. Finland stretched to victory Kiira Yrjæsnes and Petra Nieminen with the goals scored in the final set.
Finland’s other scorers were Viivi Vainikka, Nelli Laitinen and Julia Liikala.
On Wednesday, there is a match against Sweden. During the rest of the week, Finland will play again against both. There is free entry to the matches of the tournament.
Head coach of the Women’s Lions Juuso Toivola states that the common foundations for the team’s game were created in the May and July camps.
– New season, old tricks – or appropriately renewed tricks, Toivola described before the match against the Czech Republic.
The opening match of the tour was a rematch from last spring’s World Cup quarter-final. In that game, the Czech Republic won 2–1.
– We have had really tight games with the Czech Republic in the previous three World Cups and practice games. Last year at EHT we beat them every time, and unfortunately we lost against them in the quarterfinals of the World Cup.
Tapani and Karvinen are missing again
There are several experienced players in the lineup, such as Jenni Hiirikoski and Petra Nieminen, but familiar names are also missing. You won’t see it in the games at the end of August Susanna Tapania or Michelle Karviswho also did not play in this year’s World Cup.
– We’ll see how things progress. Everything is possible in the future. There have been no official announcements of the end of the National Team career. In the national team, we keep our eyes, ears and connections open, says Toivola.
At EHT, we will also be seen as first timers Nella Berg (TPS), Julia Schalin (Kiekko-Espoo), Lisette Taks (Kiekko-Espoo) and Kit Seikkula (HPK).
– It will be interesting to see how the international game takes its course. The assembly is a good combination of experience and the first time.
Toivola says that in addition to playing, the team has invested in ensuring that the operating methods are also valid outside the rink. The head coach believes that the uniform protectors will be an energetic and fighting team.
– We’ve had a really good atmosphere for more than a year, and we’re going to continue that.
Resources are fine
At the time of the previous World Cup, there was talk about whether Finland is on its way to “Sweden’s road”. The players of the western neighbor boycotted national team activities because they were not paid compensation. Despite the requests, the federation did not present a plan for the development of women’s national team activities. In addition, the players were left without compensation from the Swedish Olympic Committee.
A similar discussion has also taken place in Finland. According to Toivola, there hasn’t been much discussion on the topic between the team or the management team recently.
– The Olympic Committee has distributed support money, and it has been distributed. For many players, it is a big, important support in everyday life, which prepares them for top sports. Everyone would like more financial support, especially at club level.
According to the head coach, the situation of the Women’s Lions is in good shape in terms of resources. For example, it would not even be possible to increase the number of camps, he says.
– We have EHT tournaments and summer camps. Let’s see if the Olympic year brings more camping days. The investment on the national team side has been commendable.
In spring, for example Hannu Jortikka estimates that there are not enough fans on the women’s side, the level of the league is poor and the grassroots level has been forgotten. Also according to head coach Toivola, these issues are important points of development.
A lot of players from Finland go to Sweden, for example, because there is a little more to offer than in Finland, he states.
– The coaching conditions of the Finnish league can be compared to any other league.