Yes, a no-stakes match looks no-stakes.
The Finnish men’s national football team’s training ground match against Estonia ended with Huuhkaji 2–1.
The Tuesday in March, which turned into a training match, and which was originally expected to be Finland’s all-time football night before the semi-final against Wales, ended up being even duller than usual.
Hats off to the audience that came to the venue and Pohjoikaarre, who once again faithfully supported it. Despite the victory, the cold Olympic Stadium was not the happiest place.
Hats off equally to the players who played on the “sand field” of the Olympic Stadium. The field, which received a green surface color, has been under the toil of the stadium’s hardworking field workers, but the grass in March did not look like a barren one.
A lot was said by how the sand was churned up under each player’s kicks and acceleration steps. A member of the Huahkaji coaching group Toni Korkeakunnas commented to the Finnish media during the match that the court is a “sand court painted green”.
Criticism can be directed at UEFA, the European football association. In Finland, it is difficult to get grass to bloom in March.
Is this a face wash?
The Finnish players spoke strongly before the match in interviews with various media about “face washing” before the match against Estonia. The head coach Markku Kanerva spoke the same in ‘s courtside interview before the game. And then.
Excuse me, but is winning Estonia a face wash for the Wales loss? A team from which some of the best players did not go to play against Finland after the defeat in the second qualifying round suffered against Poland.
“Face washing” as a term also disappeared in the game. Although Finland controlled the ball and the tempo of the game, the final moments were again Estonia’s.
Alex Matthias Tammin The penalty goal scored further increased Finland’s sad pain of defending in special situations.
Sports expert Miika Nuutinen characterized the second episode as similar to the Kazakhstan home match of the EC qualifier. Finland lost control, ended up attacking only and gave their opponent chances to score.
The March window and especially the Wales defeat was a huge disappointment for Finland, period. The Estonian match was also difficult, and not a clean performance.
Eyes turn to the future. Interesting speeches related to Finland’s head coach were heard at halftime and after the match.
How is “Riven” doing?
Finland fell out of the EC competition sled at critical moments and was stranded. The game performances in tight spots were particularly weak. That is exactly why Markku Kanerva’s continuation is being closely debated. Although Kanerva has a valid contract until the end of this year.
Kanerva said at the press conference before the match against Estonia that he will discuss with the president of the Football Association Ari Lahten with after Easter.
Lahti visited ‘s studio during halftime of the match against Estonia. It is also possible that Kanerva’s time will continue even after this year.
– Yes, it is quite possible. No decisions have been made regarding it. It has been agreed with Kanerva that when these games are over and the Easter sheep are eaten, then we will sit down and talk like man to man, Lahti commented in the studio.
Hradecky’s support was expected
Now, however, we are talking about whether Kanerva will be the Huuhkajie’s pilot when the team starts its Nations League games in the fall. Regarding that, he got a lot of support after the match.
The Finnish captain who whistled in the Estonia match Lukas Hradecky strongly supported Kanerva in ‘s studio. According to him, the team still trusts Kanerva, and he wanted to come to ‘s studio to state his position after the match against Estonia.
– I came here to emphasize that the head coach has by no means lost our support and trust. The trust in the entire coaching group and above all in the head coach has not changed in any direction, Hradecky stated on Tuesday evening.
– We will always play for the head coach who leads us. We’ll see what happens, but above all I wanted to come and say this (about the situation in Kanerva). That was my hope at this point.
If anyone expected such support, it’s Hradecky. A team player, a committed athlete and a loyal member of the Huuhkajie group. The captain has also enjoyed Kanerva’s popularity for a long time and was also part of its historic team that went from the qualifiers to the games in 2019.
Hradecky is certainly satisfied and trusts his head coach. One still has to wonder how many he was speaking for, even if he was speaking for the whole team?
I think it’s clear that not all Huuhkajie players can be satisfied with their head coach. Some would hope to get those much-needed screen spots and miss the role they have already shown they are capable of in the national team.
There is certainly no rebellion within the Finnish team, I don’t believe that. However, it would be interesting to know how planned and the team’s unified decision Hradecky’s exit on ‘s broadcast was in the end.