30,000 spectators saw Finland’s victory over San Marino at the sold-out Olympic Stadium. The players of Huahkaji act as role models for children and young people.
The European Championship qualifying matches at the Helsinki Olympic Stadium have been a crowd success. The most recent Finland–San Marino game ended with Finland’s victory and the entire stadium singing our country together.
Sports create unity.
– Huuhkajat aims to offer the nation positive experiences and unite the people, says the head coach of the Finnish national football team Markku Kanerva In the Ylen 8 minutes program.
b. 1964
Head coach of the Finnish national football team Huuhkajie since 2016
Former national team soccer player, Central defender
Coached the Huuhkajat for the first prestigious competition, the 2021 EC final tournament
Chosen as coach of the year four times
Huuhakat also aims to inspire children and young people to move. Whether they get excited about football or sports in general.
– The immobility of children and young people is a well-known problem, head coach Kanerva reminds.
The Football Association also tries to highlight anti-racism. According to Kanerva, football is a great sport if you think about the integration of immigrants into society and try to prevent marginalization.
– In club activities and in a team, we learn to work together and respect each other.
Huuhkaj also has players with very different backgrounds. It is the wealth of the team, and the players act as role models.
Watch the full interview with head coach Markku Kanerva in Areena: