Little pimples had to humble themselves in a hard place – Juha Malinen says Finns are still lagging behind due to lack of hard games

The dreams of the Finnish national team under the age of 21 from the European Championship qualifying place vanished in the last match of the qualifying group in Turku.

Norway won Finland 2–0 on Friday Emil Ceiden and Fredrik Oppegaardin and dropped Pikkuhuusjat to third place.

The loss meant that Finland could no longer reach the European Championship qualifiers. The disappointment for the Little Drowners was great, as the team struggled heavily into the battle for further qualifiers with important victories in Austria and Azerbaijan.

Head coach Juha Malisen According to him, Finland was forced to look for a time in Turku to win the match. However, the fierce struggle turned to a skilled and mature Norway.

– After half an hour of fighting, we were able to play our game. We found players in the pockets, dared to play attacks along the ground, found each other and played balls on their backs, Malinen repeated.

– We encouraged it at half time and it continued. After the first goal in Norway, a heavy gear hit.

Finland got tired of looking for a solution goal at a fast pace and Norway finished in its place.

– I think the biggest difference today was reflected in the fact that the Norwegians were and are physically more prepared than we are. They are more prepared for such a fighting game, which was seen, Malinen estimates.

Malinen considered Norway’s longer preparation time to be very decisive for the outcome of the game. Finland had two breaks before the meeting at Turku Kupittaa Stadium.

The feedback from the little coach players about their head coach has been positive in the interviews. The offensive players in Finland in particular have thanked Mali for supporting the team to play boldly and through their individual skills.

– Our team did a very good job in this block. We played in tough company, against tough countries and players. Our score (19 points out of ten matches) was comforting, but we missed it instead, Malinen thanked his players.

Finland won six matches in the qualifiers. Austria and Estonia fell twice, Croatia and Azerbaijan once. Norway, still fighting for the group win, was the only country in the group to win the Little Overflows twice.

The little owls played with a lot of material in the qualifiers and there were a lot of successes. For example, in the German HSV, started its breakthrough Anssi Suhonen sparks on the U21 national team before being injured. French Toulouse FC Naatan Skytta was invaluable to Finland.

Malista has been criticized as one-sided for his tactical skills during his time as head coach. The Norwegian match, he said, needs to be analyzed more closely over time.

– I couldn’t be more proud of the whole team. Everything that happens on the team is done at a high level and the players are very committed to what they do. Our way of playing was made to serve the characteristics of the players. We have tried to get them to play their best football, Malinen said.

Malinen’s contract in the rudder of Little Dipper began in 2017. His contract expires at the end of this year.

– As long as I have a passion, I want to coach (Little Pimps), and I haven’t seen the end point yet, Malinen says about her future plans.

The European Championship qualifiers and the competition itself were just around the corner. Where else, then, are Little Pike, such as Norway?

According to Malinen, the fighting power and hardness of the Norwegians stems from an already older habit, but also from the number of tougher games.

– If you think about the Norwegian players, about half of them play in the Norwegian league every week. That would be a hard word for Finnish players if they played at that league level. Another Norwegian plays in the Netherlands, Belgium, Denmark and Russia, I understand, Malinen says.

– The mere physical nature should not be overemphasized. Right now, it makes a difference, but maybe in the future, our players will still grow in size, the head coach continues.

Most of the Finnish U21 national team that faced Norway represents Veikkausliiga clubs. Others play mainly on the academy and second teams of clubs in Italy, England, Germany and France.

Malinen says that Turku Interin Noah Nurmi and in Italy, representing SPAL Adam Marhiev opened in the middle of the midfield precisely because of their fighting skills.

The head coach of Finland emphasized that the increase in hard games was the core issue in the winning streak of the four matches of Pikkuhuuski. Before Norway, the team knocked out Estonia, Croatia, Austria and Azerbaijan in a row.

– In the spring, our young people playing abroad were given responsibility instead of being on the bench and Veikkausliiga started. So we’ve been more prepared now, he argues.

However, Malinen sees the future of this U21 age group as bright.

– The younger age groups now involved will be a big capital for Finland when the last qualifiers of the 2002 age group start.