The Finnish national tennis team had to negotiate about their clothing choices. The team leader also tells about Jarkko Nieminen’s interesting snack candy.
Roope Visuri,
Janne Karinkanta
When Finland plays in the event called the Davis Cup of tennis, i.e. the world championship of the sport, for a place in the top eight final tournament, there is a special sight in the arena in Manchester.
A Finnish group waves two Finnish flags, where there is a skier Cross mat Hakola name and face. Holds another flag in his hands Tero Vehkamäki.
– The story of the ticket is that for more than a decade I have helped Ristomatti in his skiing career. This incentive ticket was made for the World Championships in Seefeld (2019). When we went to Split for the Davis Cup, we thought of distinguishing ourselves with a different Finnish flag. This has worked fine ever since. After the split, Malaga and now here, Vehkamäki said on Wednesday during the Britannia match.
A kind of superstition, then.
The Finnish team itself has had one superstition. Finland has played with the same colored clothes regardless of whether the team is registered as a home or away team. Finland has always had white shirts and blue shorts when playing.
Finland doesn’t even have other types of sports clothes.
Team leader Roope Kailaheimon according to the superstition has caused discussions even behind the scenes.
– A few days ago, the referee (ed. note. the highest authority in a tennis match) came to ask if we have other equipment with us and there could be problems against Britain and Argentina. I said that we have negotiated a couple of weeks ago about this, we have nothing else with us and we will go with them, Kailaheimo describes.
The desired color combination was found to be functional and successful in the Finnish team a couple of years ago. Of course, Kailaheimo believes that playing with different colored clothes would not make a big difference.
– Maybe the state of mind would change and there would be a little click, says Kailaheimo.
Team manager Kailaheimo’s responsibility is to take care of things off the field with the same quality as the captain Jarkko Nieminen and to his aid Henri Kontinen take care of in the field.
Regarding things off the field, Jarkko Nieminen’s interesting snacks, i.e. hot salmiakki candies, also come up in the interview.
– They are because Jarko has a voice. The team has the same thing behind Jarko’s bench, Kailaheimo reveals.
The national tennis team is a good product
Although there have now been two defeats in Manchester, the Finnish national tennis team has also produced a good product.
At least that’s what he believes Risto Niklas-Salminen. He is the CEO of the Veikkausliiga soccer club Ilves, which gained a lot of attention this year, and their new home ground, Tammela Stadium.
Risto Niklas-Salminen is also playing in the Finnish team Patrik Niklas-Salminen father.
– Our young players are very bright and approachable people. Our captain Jarkko Nieminen is internationally known and has a long and great career. He has also been able to create a team out of the national team. Here’s to Henri Kontinen. After all, this national team as a product is amazing, Niklas-Salminen enthuses.
He also reminds us of other Finnish tennis feats other than the Davis Cup this year. Harri Heliövaara won the legendary Wimbledon tennis tournament doubles championship.
Suffered from health problems Emil Ruusuvuori on the other hand, reached the 3rd round in the same tournament, i.e. the top 32. The last time a Finn reached this far in a grand slam tournament in singles was in 2015.
When going to Manchester, Finland was already the underdog in every match, when Ruusuvuori took a break for the rest of the year.
At the moment, it is no longer in Finland’s hands to get to the top eight final tournament in Malaga like last year.
It requires at least a win for Argentina against Great Britain on Friday.
– I have to remember that this team is still young. I think that Finns will still get many moments of joy from Finnish tennis. I believe that Finland will advance again in the Davis Cup in the future. As long as the boys stay in shape. Tennis is a challenging sport in that sense. This is a tough sport to press all year round, reminds Risto Niklas-Salminen.
Finland will face Argentina in the final match of Manchester’s group stage on Saturday. Live broadcast on Areena at 3 pm and on TV2 from 6 pm.