Finally, Finland won bronze in the floorball World Cup. In the bronze medal match, host Switzerland fell 5–3 after equal stages. Switzerland came from a 0–4 deficit to within a goal, but Finland withstood team Kiri and Sami Johansson hit the final nail in the blank.
– It wasn’t easy, we made this a difficult game. However, we continued to press the necessary five minutes in the ropes at the end and endured, an experienced defender Janne Lamminen said after the match.
Finland was left out of the finals for the first time in 18 years. The head coach leaving after the tournament Petteri Nykky after the bronze medal game, I spoke highly of the team’s journey in the tournament.
– The beginning of the tournament went as it did, after all, they (difficulties) were caused by themselves. Shit coaching, there’s nothing to it, Nykky uploaded after the bronze medal match.
There have been various challenges throughout the tournament
In the semi-final against Sweden, Finland played its best game in a long time. However, there have been enough challenges throughout the tournament.
– The attack of the bronze game reflected this entire period. Our attack is so weak that we easily give the ball away and the opponent is already close to our goal, Nykky analysed.
There has been a lot of talk about the Finnish team’s injuries, absences and the match schedule. Today, however, they do not attribute failure to these.
– I won’t go behind them. You should be above chance in such a way that they don’t bother you. There was some bad luck along the way. Ukko had to be replaced and there were players who were not fully fit. However, it is part of sports. The time for a bigger analysis is later, Nykky, who piloted Finland to a total of three world championships, said.
Nykky found its period, which is now ending, to be extremely challenging. He still couldn’t say anything about his future plans, but the man still enjoys coaching.
– This was the kind of week where you really had to push yourself. In that sense, it was challenging, but great. Yes, this is a great job, Nykky concluded the interview.
The key players did not go behind the injuries
Finland’s experienced players described the bronze match as difficult. Yesterday’s semifinal disappointment was brutal.
– Today was a battle of a tired and broken team. Fortunately, the game was managed somehow, even though we were on the racks for a while, Lauri Stenfors said after the match.
The defender did not explain being left out of the final with injuries or other difficulties.
– Some of the preliminary races were painful and the more experienced fighters probably have support and tape everywhere, but they are no explanation, said Stenfors, who in his own words probably played his last World Cup.
Also Janne Lamminen and Mikko Leikkanen suspected that the finished tournament would be the duo’s last.
– With 99 percent certainty, this was the last international match, Lamminen, who played 100 international matches, said emotionally in an interview.
Leikkanen recovered from a severe knee problem to some kind of playing condition before the World Cup tournament.
– To be honest, there’s probably nothing left in that knee. A rather challenging autumn is behind us. It’s a long way to the World Championships in Malmö. I think that with these kilometers, these great things start to be in the package, Leikkanen ended the interview.
The Finnish process was not successful
Sports experts Toni Lötjönen and Perttu Kytöhonka were satisfied with the way Finland looked in the bronze medal game. Charging for the difficult bronze match was a big question mark after yesterday’s disappointment.
– Finland was really effective in the beginning. However, the ball game was not as good as it should have been. Thus, after Switzerland’s two goals, Finland could no longer get into the game properly. However, the team managed to forcefully keep behind Switzerland, even though there were no game subtleties, Kytöhonka analyzed.
‘s expert duo highlighted the difficulties of the Finnish team’s preparation period. Due to injuries to several players, the team has a difficult period below.
– Big players have dropped out, which has made the process more difficult. At the same time, however, one can think that Finland’s process has been quite fragile. Injuries and others have made it difficult, but on the other hand, the process has led to the fact that there have been almost no options. Did it have to be in such a “state of no alternative”, Kytöhonka asks.
According to the two experts, Finland has not developed as much as Sweden and the Czech Republic.
– The final teams have developed significantly in terms of play during the last 11 months. In the coaching of both countries, attention is paid to details throughout the tournament. Finland’s attitude to the matches of the opening tournament has been different, even cynical, Kytöhonka estimates.
The management of the national team changes when Esa Jussila replaces Nyky. The national team is on the brink of big changes, as the defense in particular will most likely change. New bearers of responsibility are needed.
– Finland’s game has long been based on being the best at blocking goals. Jussila can, or has to, rebuild. It can be thought that there is a mandate to make a change when the profit curve has been declining, Kytöhonka states.