In Casper Terho’s opinion, Pikkuhuuhkaj has a lot in common with the group that played in the under-21 European Championships 15 years ago.
SpongeBob Forsberg,
Matias Strozyk
Urheilu followed the decisive EC qualifying match in this article.
Pikkuhuhkajat secured a place in next summer’s European Championships in Slovakia, when they beat Norway in the further qualification with a total of 6–3.
The team went into the second leg in a good position, as they had covered Norway 5–1 in the opening game. Even with a 1-2 loss on Tuesday, the next place was easily secured.
Captain of the Little Darts Ville Koski described the day as one of the happiest in his life. Few Finnish footballers get to celebrate a place in the EC final tournament.
Even though the team had just secured their place in the European Championships, Koski recalled that the second leg, which ended in a 1–2 defeat, left a toothache.
Pikkuuhkajat led the second leg 1–0 Casper Terhon with a hit and got to play the last half hour with superiority, when Norway received a red card. Still, the undermanned host team came up short and went through.
– Maybe a bit of a bad taste remained. Maybe they stopped playing a bit and gave two easy goals. That’s the only thing I can fix today, Koski said.
– Those last two goals were a bit like let’s go now and play to the end of the game.
Koski has served as the team’s captain Santeri Väänänen while injured. According to Koski, the leader doesn’t matter.
– I feel like everyone in this team is a leader. It doesn’t matter who has the captain’s armband, me or “Sand” or other members of the captaincy. All pull perfectly. There is no me in the team.
Terho sees similarities to 15 years ago
Casper Terho, who scored Finland’s goal, described his mood as “jolly” good.
– We were ready for this game, even though the first game was already 5–1. Everything is always possible, such a good focus on the team and a great performance from everyone. I’m really satisfied, Terho says.
A small group of supporters, less than 10 people, had traveled from Finland to Stavanger, Norway. According to Terho, the small group had an impact.
– Yes, it always ignites. I think there is a lot of passion at work there. I am really grateful to everyone who came. We had a good party after the game.
Finland has played in the under-21 EC final tournament once before, in 2009, when Markku Kanerva piloted your team to the games.
According to Terho, there is something the same in today’s unified team.
– The way we play on and off the field. I see a lot of similarities between this team and the team that went to the Games 15 years ago. Unity is a big deal, even though we have tough players and individuals.