Sports expert Ismo Lehkonen states that the Lions will be the pre-favorite for the Olympic semi-finals. The atmosphere in the team’s rehearsals was expectant.
The Finnish men’s hockey team will face Slovakia in the semi-finals of the Olympics starting at 6.10 on Friday. The match can be listened to live from Puhe.
Sports Expert Ismo Lehkonen considers the Lion to be an overwhelming favorite when it comes to Friday’s semi-finals of the Olympics.
– It is difficult to see that Slovakia would have the opportunity to freeze Finland in the semi-finals. The Lions are still looking for that intact 60-minute, but 30 or 20-minute good performances have been enough for the tournament so far. A lot has to happen so that Finland does not go to the finals, Lehkonen said.
Switzerland tried to surprise the Lions in the semi-finals with an aggressive game right from the first start. According to Lehkonen, Slovakia may try the same in the semi-finals.
– Switzerland played two rounds of aggressive bitter play and it produced certain problems. Finland, on the other hand, has got a pretty good toolkit in these games to find out. In the game of Switzerland, the Lions were also seen to be a very disciplined team that didn’t even let outrage go under the skin.
Lehkonen does not believe that the eyes of the Finnish players have already turned to the final of the tournament or that the jacket will be opened for the Slovakia game.
– We have such an experienced team that it is impossible to see that happen. There is still a lot of room for improvement in lions’ five-level defenses and direct attacks, and players know it.
Finnish number one striker Teemu Hartikainen predicts Slovakia to continue on the same line in the semi-finals as it did in the opening match of the tournament, which ended in a 6-2 win for the Lions. Even if the opponent comes on top this time, Hartikainen believes that Finland will continue its strong performances.
– The first 30 minutes of yesterday’s semi-final against Switzerland were good hockey. That’s when 60 minutes are really close to the finals, Hartikainen told Sport after the Lions’ training on Thursday.
Finland will return to the men’s medal games in Beijing after an eight-year hiatus. The importance of the match is also clear to the players.
– There is definitely one of the most important games in my career ahead. The Olympics don’t come up unnecessarily often and now we get to fight for the final spot.
Hartikainen admits that the last day before the match is mostly waiting.
– The exercises already showed that the feeling is waiting. Everyone knows what the team is capable of and is already charging for the match. Yes, this is just a matter of spending time, resting and waiting for the puck to drop into the ice.
Also preparing for the second Olympic semifinal career Sami Vatanen was on the move after the exercises with a relaxed grip.
– A good and relaxed feeling is on. It is known that it is possible to challenge any team as long as one’s own game is played well, Vatanen stated in an interview with Sport.
Vatanen said that he was satisfied with the team’s efforts so far.
– It has been shown that one believes in doing one’s own thing, whatever the situation on the scoreboard. A close defense game is played, rolled over to the opponent’s head and the necessary goals are scored.
The previous Olympic trip to Sochi in 2014 ended with a bronze medal. Tomorrow, Vatanen will have the opportunity to secure a brighter medal for taking home.
– We started here to succeed and now we are on the verge of winning a couple more games. Rarely do you get to experience games like this and it’s great to play.
Finland will face the Slovak men’s Olympic hockey semi-finals on Friday at 6.10.
shares the media rights of the Beijing Olympics in Finland with Discovery Finland. Discovery performs the hockey exclusively on television and digital channels.