Today, Thursday, HJK will meet AS Roma in the group stage of the Europa League in Rome. The match starts at 22:00 Finnish time.
With Lucas Lingman was the location of the report at the end of 2017. The soccer promise had several seasons behind him in the HJK representative team, but the playing time had been very limited.
– I never beat myself up. To be honest, I just didn’t have enough at the time, Lingman now admits to Urheilu.
Something had to be done. A new beginning was found in Rovaniemi, where RoPS was coached by a familiar man. Toni Koskela had previously worked as Lingman’s pilot in HJK’s reserve team in Klubi 04.
In Rovaniemi, the pieces started falling into place. Life revolved completely around football, as home was also found surrounded by teammates in RoPS’ bingo house, which gained a cult reputation.
– There I was able to put all my focus on football. My own feeling was that I have to show that I can manage.
Lingman got what he wanted from Rovaniemi. There was responsibility and success on the field. Lingman played in the young and fresh team as much as he could and was helping RoPS to the SM silver.
– It was the most important and critical period of my career. When you haven’t played almost completely for a couple of years, you start to wonder if your level is enough. Weekly playing and success boosts more and more, Lingman states.
HJK bought Lingman back for the 2020 season and Toni Koskela was of course receiving the midfielder in the coach’s office in Töölö. Two top seasons in Helsinki spawned a transfer abroad, to Swedish Helsingborg.
Lingman established a place in the starting line-up in the Swedish main league right away, but something was wrong. Helsingborg lost matches one after the other, and the team’s style of play did not serve the qualities of Lingman, who is known as a skilled midfielder.
The 24-year-old Lingman had to stop and think again.
– In the end, playing in Helsingborg was not something that would pursue my own interests. Of course, you always play for the team, but you also have to think about yourself, whether I benefit from playing and develop in it, Lingman reflects.
Many would rub their eyes when HJK announced on the first of August that they had loaned Lingman from Helsingborg for the rest of the season. Lingman said in the bulletin (you will switch to another service)that “the most important thing is to find the best version of myself again on the field.”
– Everything happened quickly. I told the club management that I would like to go on loan. It felt like it just didn’t go there. It’s hard to enjoy futs if you’re not happy in the situation you’re in, says Lingman.
More than a month later, football life is smiling again. Lingman played a significant role in HJK’s journey towards the Europa League group stage.
– I got what I wanted and a little more. I have enjoyed doing my own thing. Of course, winning or losing games is a completely different matter. However, the biggest thing for me has been the fact that I have been able to play a game where my strengths are utilized and I bring added value to the team, Lingman said.
Just like in Rovaniemi earlier in his career, Lingman has found his joy in playing again under Toni Koskela.
– He has been my coach for most of my career. Toni has a lot to thank for the kind of player I am today. He has always trusted my qualities. I’ve never been the most physical player, but I’ve managed by playing with my brain, says Lingman.
– Toni has always trusted that he would get something out of me. We’ve always had a good relationship, and hopefully that will continue.
Lingman has a contract with Helsingborg until 2025. He can’t say anything about the future for now.
– There haven’t really been any connections from there. Originally, the intention was to play the rest of the season at HJK and return there, but we’ll see what happens after the season.
Although the games in Helsingborg did not go as hoped, Lingman made it to the A national team’s trip for the first time in the spring. In the summer’s Nations League matches, Lingman got to the opener twice and dazzled in the midfield with his selection of passes.
– I surprised myself that I was able to immediately play two games in the opening. Those games left me with good feelings. I got to use my strengths and I think I gave good displays, Lingma times.
There will probably be responsibility in September as well, when Huuhkajat will meet in the Nations League first at the Olympic Stadium in Romania and then at Montenegro’s away field in Podgorica.
– I like the way the national team plays. Everyone knows their roles, and it’s easy to join the team. Earlier I read in the papers that the team is united. It’s absolutely true.
At the end of the interview, a surprise awaits Lingman, which is strongly related to his rediscovered joy of playing. To the feeling from which soccer players’ love for the sport has flowed in the first place.
Born in 1998, Lingman was one of the most talented players in his age group already at the age of 10 when he played for Honga in Espoo. The cameras of the sports screen were there when Lingman’s team met the Estonian Tammeka team in the Helsinki Cup final.
On the computer screen, the number 10 in his yellow and black striped shirt lays down four goals and fans enthusiastically. Lingman watches the video at first with no expression on his face, but eventually the corners of his mouth turn into a smile.
– I will remember that game forever. The first final, a 7–1 win and four goals. You could say that’s where it all started.
On the same artificial turf of the Töölö football stadium, Lingman was one of the best players on the field last week in the opening game of the Europa League group stage against Real Betis. There will be more memorable moments on Thursday, when HJK plays as a guest of AS Roma at the iconic Stadio Olimpico. Almost 60,000 tickets have been sold in advance for the match, of which more than 200 are for HJK supporters.
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