Midfielder for Helmares Olga Ahtinen rarely, if ever, makes headlines in Finland, even though he is one of the best players in the world’s top-level Swedish league.
Or the best of all, if you ask the Swedish experts.
At the end of last season, Ahtinen was awarded Damallsvenskan’s most valuable player. The award will bring a smile to the face of the Finnish player even a few months after the award gala in November.
– It still feels incredible. The series is full of incredible players and the fact that you get such a personal award… It feels really incredible, Ahtinen times in training in Linköping.
The name of the Finnish midfielder was frequently mentioned in transfer rumors, but despite everything, Ahtinen decided to stay in southern Sweden. The fourth season in the ranks of the Swedish club is about to begin.
– I feel that I can still improve here. I like that the Swedish league is good and even, everyday life here is good. I feel that as a team we have taken steps forward and it has also moved my own playing forward. Both as a person and as a player, I feel that I have been able to become a little better player every day.
Ahtinen’s importance to his team can be seen in Linköping’s training sessions. In a long practice, the game always goes through Ahtinen and he likes to guide his teammates.
If someone’s concentration is faltering, Ahtinen points it out.
Even when watching on the side of the field, you don’t feel like slacking off.
So it’s no wonder that Ahtinen got the captain’s armband already last season, even though he played in the team Nilla Fischer’s legends like
– I feel that we had more leaders last season. That is certainly the reason why we did so well, Ahtinen acknowledges.
The team was in the championship fight for a long time, but eventually settled for bronze. However, it brought a place in the summer Champions League qualifiers. Next season, the team is going to win medals.
In recent years, the Swedish league has lost its luster at the expense of the major European leagues. However, it has served as a good springboard for the world for Finnish players.
Ahtinen’s goals are also higher than Sweden’s.
– I want to see how far I can go. Every day I work so that I could play in an even better league than Sweden one day, Ahtinen admits.
– Of course, I want to take the right steps, so that what I want to do next feels good. Right now I feel good to be here.
The coach is happy
The Linköping pilot, who was awarded Damallsvenskan coach of the year, is familiar to Finns: Andree Jeglertz namely, you piloted Helmarei between 2010 and 2016. Jeglertz has been enjoying himself in Linköping since 2021.
– Andree has a demanding and modern way of coaching, he includes us players in the tactical know-how. It takes a lot for players to think a lot. We have a bold way of playing. I feel comfortable here and I really like his way of coaching, Ahtinen sighs.
Jeglertz is also happy about his Finnish protégé’s decision to stay.
– Olga will definitely play somewhere else in the future, but as long as we in Linköping have the opportunity to work with her and keep her in the team, I’m just happy. But he will surely find another environment to challenge him. Right now, though, I’m really happy and I think his decision is good.
The Swedish pilot’s superlatives about the engine of the midfield follow each other in a strong Skåne dialect: Ahtinen gets praise for his comprehensiveness, stress tolerance and movement on the field.. He is good with both feet and has good leadership skills.
– And there are many things that are not visible from the outside, but which only underline the fact that he is a really important player.
In Jeglertz’s opinion, Ahtinen’s selection as the best player in the series is really deserved.
– He played a really good season. I’ve been following Olga for years and last season was the best I’ve seen from her. He means a lot to his team, not only by what he does in games, but also in training. He leads the pack.
A new role for Amanda Rantanen
Even last season, in addition to Ahtinen, Linköping was represented by a Finnish goalkeeper Anna Koivunen. Koivunen’s games will continue this season in Kalmar.
I got Ahtinen as a teammate for this season Amanda Rantanenwho moved to southern Sweden from Örebro.
– I’ve always heard a lot of good things about the team. Of course, whenever he has played against them, there have been really difficult games. I really like the football that Linköping plays. I’ve known Andree for a few years and I like coaching, so it was a pretty easy choice to come here, Rantanen commented.
Jeglertz has also been following the Finn for years. Rantas was first courted by Linköping a couple of years ago, but he ended up in Örebro.
For this season, the role is changing a bit, as Rantanen is seen more as a winger.
– I have always seen great development potential in him, Jeglertz confirms.
However, Rantas will not be seen traveling to Cyprus with the women’s national team.
– He has had a few minor ailments, the training has changed quite a lot in the previous club. Everything seems good, Amanda is satisfied and we agree with the head coach of Linköping on the areas where we need to improve and what those strengths are. I believe that he will have a good season in Linköping and that will be a great opportunity to be part of the national team, Helmareite head coach Marko Saloranta commented at the team’s press conference at the beginning of February.
Women’s Damallsvenskan starts on Friday 24.3. The women’s national football team will next play in Cyprus, where they will face Croatia on Thursday, February 16 at 16:55. You can watch the match on Areena.
shows all Helmareite’s Cyprus Cup matches. Sunday 19.2. at 13:00 it’s Hungary and on Wednesday 22.2. at 13:00 it’s Romania.