As the hero lion, Hannes Björninen’s mother made a voice in the middle of the Olympic finals – the medal coffees were interrupted when the boy called from China: “Really sad”

Päivi Björninen answers the phone with a hoarse sound. The parents watched their son on television at home in Lahti yesterday Hannes Björnisen, 26, and the lion team gold game. Mother Päivi was unable to follow the match at all.

He walked nervously into the living room at the same time as Hannes’ father Arto Björninen watched the game downstairs in the fireplace room.

– I walked in a circle and sometimes took a peek at the game situation. By the way, I shouted at the man asking, “either it will end, or it will end,” says Päivi Björninen about the “awful moments” of the game.

The first hard place for the parents was when Hannes Björninen got on the ice at the beginning of the match. For the second time, her mother’s heartbeat rose to the clouds in the final meters of the match.

– The last minute was awful.

But at the end of the game, the joy had no limits.

– The man shouted pretty loud. And me too, maybe. Then the head was completely empty. I wonder what the heck, what the heck? Now they win Olympic gold!

The neighbor came to the door with a bouquet of flowers when Hannes Björninen’s parents were still completely overwhelmed. Päivi’s mother was making medal coffees and then the boy was playing from China. He wanted to thank his parents.

After the match, flower deliveries began to flood the parents ’home.

Päivi Björninen is a lecturer in the field of beauty care. He says straight words about his son’s already famous mustache.

– Hair treats and Hannes is also an active caregiver. The eyebrows should also be in order. But mustaches are not my favorite.

Hannes Björninen has always done his job conscientiously. Mom says sometimes the whole family is watching inside the window while Hannes is doing workouts in the yard in the rain.

– Since childhood, Hannes has jumped, jumped and run in the yard according to the training program.

Head coach of the Pelicans in Lahti Tommi Niemelä notes that the young player has special talent. In his opinion, the huge desire to develop himself has always set Hannes Björninen apart from other players.

– He is ready to make the choices that development requires from day to day, from week to week, from month to month, from year to year. It has not been a sacrifice for him, on the contrary, it is automatic.

Hannes Björninen, who grew up in Lahti, signed a junior contract with Pelicans ‘Finnish Championship League team in April 2014. Björninen rose to the elite of the league in the period 2020-2021, when he won Pelicans’ internal points and points exchange.

Tommi Niemelä says that Björninen has a dream and a huge desire to push for it.

– That’s why he’s where he is now. Hannes has no upper limit on where he is going.

As a player, Björninen has a tough competitive edge. Niemelä emphasizes that competitiveness is important if the goal is to become an Olympic winner or the best in the world in one’s own sport.

– Hannes has a desire to win any game. He puts everything in front of the game to win.

The coach is proud of the club’s upbringing. He is also delighted that Björninen was the one who finally hit the Russian net with a decisive goal.

– It was a great feeling that Hanu was the player who solved the game, even though the anti-hero got on the ice at the beginning of the game.

Hannes Björninen’s career is on the rise. He has played for the KHL club in the Jokers this season, but Pelicans head coach Tommi Niemelä believes there will soon be a flight across the Atlantic to the NHL.

– It would be great to get Hanu back to the Pelicans, but on the other hand, I hope he doesn’t come. Björninen’s next venue must definitely be on the other side of the Atlantic. Or at least in KHL or Central Europe.

The lions will fly home to Finland from Beijing on Monday afternoon. Immediately after returning, the Finnish Hockey Association will hold a medal coffee event in Helsinki, to which parents are also welcome. After that, the parents will be transported to the Olympic Stadium for the Golden Festival.

Of course, the Björninen also plan to take part in the festivities. What does mother Päivi Björninen want to say to her son Hannes when she first sees this?

– Congratulations. I’m really happy for the sun. It has been really hard to miss, says the moved mother.