During the end of the week, the European squash team competitions will be played in Helsinki. The Finnish teams, both men’s and women’s, are fighting for survival in the 1st division under the leadership of Emilia Soini and Miko Äijäsä.
shows the squash European team championships on its channels. Watch ‘s live sports broadcasts here.
The European squash stars will measure each other in the EC team competitions played from Wednesday to Saturday in Helsinki. The Finnish women’s and men’s teams are facing a tough challenge at the highest level of competitions in the 1st division.
Europe’s top countries are cheering for professionals. Among the Finns, one player on the men’s side and two on the women’s side regularly travel on the professional tour. in Finland Emilia Soini is the clear number one player in the sport, who also has exceptional experience against foreign opponents.
– As captain, I can help others in tight situations and give “insider tips” on how to play against certain opponents, Soini describes her role in the women’s team.
There are nine teams in the 1st division. Of these, the best four in the initial groups advance to the medal games, the rest play for places five to nine. The two weakest countries will be relegated to the lower 2nd division next year. The minimum goal for both men and women is to stay at the highest level.
– There are a couple of really tough teams in the games, but also several that can be challenged, Soini says about the preliminary settings.
The matches are seen in a slightly different environment than usual, as the vast majority of Finnish matches are played in the Tripla shopping center in Pasila. Finnish men also play in Tali.
Ladies:
Wednesday 26.4. at 10:00 a.m. France – Finland, Tripla ( Areena)
Wednesday 26.4. at 15:30 Germany – Finland, Tripla ( Areena)
Thursday 27.4. at 10:00 a.m. England – Finland, Tripla ( Areena)
Thursday 27.4. at 15:30 Switzerland – Finland, Tripla ( Areena)
Gentlemen:
Wednesday 26.4. at 09:30 England – Finland, Tali
Wednesday 26.4. at 17.30 Hungary – Finland, Tripla ( Areena)
Thursday 27.4. at 09.30 Wales – Finland, Tali
Thursday 27.4. at 17:30 Germany – Finland, Tripla ( Areena)
The greatness of the sport as a group opponent
On the women’s side, the reigning European champion England, Belgium, France and Wales are the strongest countries of the Games in advance. Of these, England and France are in the same group as Finland. The second player of the Finnish team, ranked 120 in the world list Emilia Korhonen tough challenges from the matches of the first group.
– On paper, we are ranked last, but I see that we have opportunities to surprise, Korhonen, who lives in Amsterdam, predicts.
In addition to Soin and Korhonen, the women’s team also plays Riina Koskinen, Maarit Ekholm and making his debut in the adult competition Meeri Särkkä.
Three players are named in the women’s team playing in matches between countries, four in the men’s. The countries’ placements in the groups are determined based on matches won and, if necessary, set wins.
England is the reigning European champion in the men’s category as well. The biggest star of England, who plays in Finland’s group, and of the entire Games, is second on the world list Mohamed El Shorbagy. In addition, the host country of the games will receive top country Wales, strong Germany and Hungary.
– Division 1 is very, very tough for us. There are a few countries against which, in the light of preliminary expectations, there is not a terrible chance, the 44-year-old veteran player Olli Tuominen states.
Tuominen is still one of Finland’s leading forces, and the role of mentor is not known in these competitions either.
– Unfortunately, I am still an important player. It would be good if there were more young displacers, Tuominen laughs.
25 years old Miko Aijänen is currently the only professional player on the Finnish men’s team. Äijänen, who is ranked 131 in the world, will probably have a lot of matches during his European Championship career.
In addition to Tuominen and Äiäjäse, the men’s team consists of experienced Matias Tuomi, Kristian Rautiainen, Jami Aijänen as well as a first-timer in the adult competitions Samuli Niskala.
Finland plays the role of the underdog in a tough group. The challenge is tough, because in addition to Hungary, another of the main opponents is Germany, whose players are practically all professionals.
– The goal is to stay at the highest level. That is also a tough goal, but we are aiming for it, says Tuominen.