Finland’s message was opened by a 31-year-old Cross mat Hakola, whose season has been really difficult due to health problems. He has hardly competed, and the relay was his first start even at the World Championships. Although Norway ran away immediately, Hakola made a sure performance.
– A risk-free performance, but a medal would probably require a little risk, Hakola guessed after his part.
In the second part, 31 years old Iivo Niskanen was absolutely wild. Norway had run away, but Niskanen was almost 40 seconds ahead of others, such as France and Sweden. Still, Niskanen was not completely satisfied, but reflected that he had been too eager too soon.
31 years old Perttu Hyvärinen had to work all the way alone on the three-way section of Finland, when the difference between the front and the back was big. Hyvärinen gave a strong, own performance. Coming to the last change, Finland, which was second, was still 30 seconds behind those coming behind.
Junior world champion, 20 years old Niko Anttola was in a wild place as Finland’s anchor. But there were no Swedish, French, German or Canadian anchors to chase. A few kilometers before the finish line, the difference between Finland and those behind was no less than 50 seconds.
– When you think about where Anttola had to go, he skied very cool. Easy sections hard, a bit steep you passed and could control the gap, summed up the coach Ville Oksanen.
– Let’s anchor with 3,000 hours of training, then win Olympic gold with the same team. It’s a good mood. I told Niko that he could leave without any pressure. There hasn’t been a relay medal in my time. Can’t fail at all. The cool-headed guy, without a doubt, was glowing about the young anchor of Iivo Niskanen’s team.
Niskas already had three Olympic golds, an Olympic silver and an Olympic bronze, as well as a gold and two bronzes from the World Championships. Hakola had been able to celebrate the silver in the pair sprint at the 2021 World Championships in Oberstdorf Joni Mäen with.
Hyvärinen has been to the World Championships five times, the first time in 2015 in Falun, and the Olympics in Pyeongchang and Beijing. Now came the medal.
– The shoe laces have been tied a few times. It’s amazing that you can still go to the meso with a group of friends. Tough stuff, Good taste.
But at what point did Hyvärinen even have time to answer the phone?
– It could have been the mother, Hyvärinen revealed, referring to the shot that is the main image of this story.
So it was necessary to respond to the congratulations.
Finland’s head coach Teemu Pasanen stated that everything worked out perfectly. Niko Anttola is said to be so calm that he didn’t need to be encouraged or teased before the anchor part.
When asked about the team’s party plans, Iivo Niskas gave a quick answer.
– We have nothing. The head coach is the party-Teemu, ready for Tempparei (Temptation Island) if the invitation comes. It’s going to be tough, Niskanen commented and regretted that there is no sauna in the hotel in Finland.
Pasanen himself said that he is bad at partying, but men’s coach Ville Oksanen announced that at least Pasanen’s menu will be changed in the evening. He didn’t talk more specifically about the party plans either.
Niskanen, Hyvärinen and Hakola, all in their thirties, previously wondered if this is the last prize competition message of the “youth chain”.
– How did they end up babbling like that, Hyvärinen wondered.
– Well, it’s hard work to get everyone on track when those twenty-somethings come! Niskanen exclaimed.
Even though the atmosphere was breezy, the relay medal is also of great importance to the experienced national team members.
– There’s nothing else to do but shoot in Finland… It’s Friday, it’s a holiday! Your good sum.
Niskanen reminded that in quite a few relays during the 14-year dry season, they managed to be on the same finish line with a medal.
– Yes, you dare to celebrate this elsewhere than here in Planica.
Videos of the day’s message buzz are still compiled below