Lukas Hradecky appeared in EPN’s studio – gave an emphatic defense speech to Markku Kanerva | Sport

The Huuhkajie captain and goalkeeper of the Finnish men’s national football team Lukas Hradecky confirmed that the team trusts the head coach Markku Kanervaa.

– I came here to emphasize that the head coach has by no means lost our support and trust. The trust in the entire coaching group and above all in the head coach has not changed in any direction, Hradecky stated on Tuesday evening.

Hradecky wanted to come to ‘s studio to state his position after the Estonia match. Finland beat Estonia 2–1 in Tuesday night’s match at the Olympic Stadium. Hradecky watched the game from the bench when Jesse Joronen was given the responsibility of prevention.

Hradecky stated that no one knows what will happen in the future. In his opinion, Kanerva’s displays speak for themselves.

– We will always play for the head coach who leads us. We’ll see what happens, but above all I wanted to come and say this (about the situation in Kanerva). That was my hope at this point, Hradecky said, referring to Kanerva continuing as head coach.

Hradecky returned to the events of the qualifying group

Finland lost to Wales 1–4 in the European Championship play-off on Thursday. Hradecky said that Finland should have claimed the European Championship place from its own qualifying group, where it played with Slovenia, among others.

– Football is a complicated game. We didn’t make it to the Games, which was our goal. The second time in a row (at the European Championships) would have been a great thing. Wales were perhaps tougher than Slovenia would have been. I understand that the media is always looking for something new, futisforum shouts about it. We players are focused on football.

According to Hradecky, both the coaching staff and the players need to look in the mirror. He stated that the statistics, expected goals and probabilities tell the harsh truth.

– They confirmed my point. The danger of the attacking direction and the expected goal remain unnecessarily small. We cannot threaten those bigger countries. Denmark here (at the Olympic Stadium) had a bit of a defensive struggle. We conceded too many goals compared to the qualification we played through (2019 European Championship qualifiers).

Finland met Estonia in the national match at the Olympic Stadium. That meaningless match theoretically ended Finland’s European Championship career, because with a win over Wales on Tuesday, the team would have played for a place in the European Championship.

Hradecky said he was satisfied with the “routine victories” of the EC qualifying match that ended. He stated that the away game against Kazakhstan was the team’s best. The Slovenia match at home went well, and in the San Marino victory, the attacking game flourished, Hradecky formulated.

– A lot of good things, but the reality must not be forgotten. It will certainly remain in mind and the discussion is open. Analysis is being done, but how the journey continues… At least our players’ faith in the current head coach has not diminished.

The dilemma of special situations

One big problem for Finland both in the European Championship qualifiers and in the further qualifying match against Wales were the special situations. Estonia was also hit by a special situation when Alex Tamm headed the ball into the goal from a corner kick.

– It has been the number one or two topic of conversation for a long time. Such a situation, like Estonia’s narrow goal. If you do it well, the attacker’s advantage is so big.

According to Hradecky, the assistant coach is going through special situations Mika Nurmelan under. The goalkeeper estimates that Finland’s playing in situations has at least worked well in the past. Among other things, there has been great responsibility in them Paulus on Arajuuriwho ended his national team career in the fall of 2021. He currently works as an expert for Urheilu.

– Of course, we have a few colossi left. You have stolen our Arajuru, who won quite a lot of those situations. Arttu (Hoskonen) took over that role pretty well today. We need to get key players on the field and they need to succeed.

– (Discussion about) what that tactic is – it’s completely pointless talk. The heart was also present today and it will continue to be present. Everything else will surely fall into place and the faith is still strong. Otherwise, I would throw in the towel and quit the national team.

Hradecky had told head coach Kanerva and the spokesman for the Finnish men’s national team To Timo Walden that he will give a speech on ‘s studio broadcast.

– Seven years is a long time, and we have played pretty close to the optimum. If the crystal ball said the next head coach is (Josep) Guardiola or (Julian) Nagelsmannthat player material doesn’t just suddenly get better.

Markku Kanerva has coached Finland since December 2016, i.e. a good seven years.

– There are many opinions, there is usually only one fact, and those statistics have been at the forefront along the way. We’ll see what happens, but we’ll move forward and always do our best for Finland, Hradecky summed up.

Markku Kanerva told the press conference before the match against Estonia that he will discuss the president of the Football Association Ari Lahten with after Easter.

Was there any special charge in the match or the idea that something closes here at the same time?

– No, no-hi, Kanerva replied with a laugh.

– Along the way, we have been discussing things with Arink. Now we update the situation and continue. This was an important victory for us and a kind of face wash. Yes, that attitude was visible on that court in the duels. Estonia is a strong, physical team, but yes, these guys of ours put themselves in a good position, Kanerva concluded.

Huhkaji’s games continue with training matches in June on away fields, when 4.6. against Portugal and 7.6. Greece.

The next more real matches will be in the fall, when Finland starts the Nations League.