Robert Ivanov is an important player in Finland’s central defense after Paulus Arajuure and Joona Toivio left. The owls will face Iceland on Saturday and Slovakia next Tuesday.
Russia’s attack on Ukraine has affected everyone in recent weeks. About the players of the Finnish men’s national football team Central Defender Robert Ivanov has probably followed the situation more closely than others. Ivanov said recently Ilta-Sanomat (you switch to another service)that his mother’s uncle and his family live in Kharkov, which has been the target of Russian attacks.
The family has remained in Kharkov, although Ivanov’s family has provided shelter from Finland.
– Fortunately, nothing more serious has been heard so far. I keep an eye on how things are going there and I hope this all ends soon. This is tragic and sad, but trying to help as much as possible, Ivanov said in the remote information of the Owners on Tuesday.
Ivanov’s father is Russian and his mother is Ingrian Finn. Born in Helsinki, Ivanov, 27, really joined the group of Owners a year ago and has already risen to a major role as a topper.
Ivanov plays in the Polish league in Warta Poznan. He is also experiencing the situation in Ukraine, as Poland has received by far the largest number of people fleeing the war in Ukraine, more than two million.
– I am happy that Poland has been really helpful. I live in Poznan in western Poland, there are no refugees in the street scene, but the flags of Ukraine are flying. As I was escorting my girlfriend to the train station, I saw how much was waiting for one train. It was a stopping moment. Many are trying to continue across Europe, Ivanov said.
In terms of football, Warta has done well and the team has risen out of the relegation.
– We changed coach after the previous international break, that’s probably the biggest reason. The new 31-year-old coach has put the package in order in the offensive and defensive game, Ivanov said.
Against Iceland and Slovakia
Owls are currently camping in Murcia, Spain. On Saturday, the team will face Iceland and next week on Tuesday, Slovakia. Murcia has been able to start training in good conditions, albeit in light rain.
The strength of the owls is now 23 players. They have been left out of the original group Lassi Lappalainen, Robert Taylor, Onni Valakari and Richard Jensen.
Dutch Roda defender Jensen was hit in the face in a weekend match. Photographs made in Murcia on Monday revealed that the nose was broken. Taylor, who has moved to Inter Miami in the MLS, has immigration issues to deal with, which is why she asked for an exemption. Lappish and Valakari have minor injuries.
In addition to Ivanov, another topper was present at Tuesday’s press conference Daniel O’Shaughnessy.
– With a good feeling after a break of a few months for a national team event. Against tough opponents. Pretty similar to the League of Nations, so these games prepare well for it, O’Shaughnessy said.
Finland will face Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro and Romania in the League of Nations from June.
Ivanov and O’Shaughnessy have risen to great roles when Paulus Arajuuri and Joona Toivio stopped.
– They left a big gap, but there are still a lot of good guys here. The competition for the top spot is still tough, with more screens in the game, O’Shaughnessy said.
O’Shaughnessy, who moved to Karlsruher SC in the 2nd Bundesliga in Germany, has taken on a great deal of responsibility and scored a stunning goal from over 20 meters in the Holstein Kiel net in February.
– If the place comes in Huuhkaji, I’ll definitely try to pull. Hopefully going to the finish line and not over, as usual, O’Shaughnessy smiled.