PHOTO: Bildbyrån
Sweden’s national team captain Sam Hallam has caused strong reactions in Finland.
After using highly inappropriate words about our dear neighboring country.
– It is a provocation, says Finnish C More expert Petteri Sihvonen according to MTV.
Tonight, neighboring countries Sweden and Finland collide in a heated rivalry meeting during this year’s hockey World Cup. The Finns come to the game as reigning world champions and host country, which means a certain favoritism, but the matches between Sweden and Finland always live their own lives.
Hallam’s play
It will still be Sweden’s first really tough test in the World Cup after the two opening victories against Germany and Austria. But before the match, an anger has been brought to life when the Swedish national team captain Sam Hallam caused unexpectedly strong reactions in Finland.
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In an attention-grabbing statement, the blue-yellow head coach claimed that Finland “does not have a passing game” and these are words that caused anger in the neighboring country.
– Sweden is serious and wants to disturb Finland mentally. This shows that Hallam wants to disrupt the Finnish team in any way he can at this early stage of the WC, says the Finnish C More expert Kiwi currywho coached the Finnish JVM team that won gold in 2014, according to MTV.
– I cannot remember a similar statement from an opponent in recent years. That’s why I reacted, because I can’t remember anything like it. It’s even unusual to hear something like this during the league playoffs.
READ MORE: Sam Hallam’s cheeky mockery of the Swedish goal scorer after the run-over in the hockey World Cup: “Risigt”
Finnish anger
Also the C More colleague Petter Sihvonen has some well-chosen words to say to Sam Hallam. He understands what the national team captain wants to achieve but thinks he is exaggerating far too much.
– That is a harsh statement from Hallam. He is right in a way, but this is tactical warfare on his part. It is a big exaggeration – even a provocation – to claim that Finland has no passing game, says the Finnish TV expert according to MTV.
– The evening will show what (national captain) Jukka Jalonen’s response to Hallam’s audacity will be.
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The Finnish national team captain Jukka Jalonen has also had to deal with Hallam’s outing, but does not want to start any verbal spat in connection with the match.
– It’s not like that. That is his opinion, says the coach to the Finnish site.
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