Olga Ahtinen can be one of the most important players of the national football team in the coming years. The skilled and versatile midfielder has answered the call in Helmarei with the increased responsibility.
19:28•Updated 20:21
The Finnish women’s national football team has been under new coaching after the summer European Championships. Interim head coach Marko Saloranta under him, one of the successful ones has been a midfielder Olga Ahtinen.
– It has been nice to have more responsibility. It’s something he’s been working towards for a long time. I feel like I can influence things more now, Ahtinen says in an interview with Urheilu.
Ahtinen is a skilled midfielder with the ball, who creates a threat in the attacking game with his goal danger and passes in an exceptional way. Kokkola’s GBK student has enjoyed playing in Helmarei during the fall.
– We have played fut, which has been more suited to my own strengths. In that sense, it has been easier to play, he says.
The Helmaris want to defend more actively
The women’s national team played a 1-1 draw against Wales on Saturday. Especially in the second half, you could see Finland pushing the opponent higher. Ahtinen is satisfied with this.
– We dared to press from higher up. That courage and desire must definitely be taken from that game. As a team, we have gone through high pressing and talked about wanting to take more balls up high in the future, the midfielder who played full minutes on Saturday opens.
On Tuesday, Finland will play another, albeit unofficial, national match against Wales. Ahtinen sees room for improvement in Finland’s attacking game.
– We have to decide how we can create more dangerous goal chances from the opening phase. We need to create more clear scoring opportunities, Ahtinen, who has established himself in the middle of the midfield, thinks.
The increased responsibility has been reflected in playing
Ahtinen enjoyed great responsibility in Linköping, which finished third in the Swedish league, in the season that ended. The player sees responsibility and the confidence gained from coaching as a significant factor in his development.
– It is important that coaching has wanted to give a big role and the freedom to realize itself and also demanded to take more versatile steps forward.
At the Swedish Women’s Football League award gala to be held on Wednesday, the Finn is nominated for the best midfielder of the season and the most valuable player of the entire series.
Ahtinen attracts attention both in the national team and in his club team by actively guiding his teammates.
– It comes naturally that I lead the game both with my speech and hopefully with my own actions, says Ahtinen.
The increased responsibility in Helmarei has also helped. Shared experiences with teammates help an active player with a ball to succeed.
– Through the games, I get to understand more how we want to play under the new coaching. At the same time, it is important to establish a connection with other players, as I like to feed a lot and play combinations, an analytical player opens up the whole.
The losing matches have been important
Before the Wales draw, Helmarit had lost seven matches in a row.
– We have played against tough countries. Even though the results haven’t been that good, we have to play those games so we can take steps forward. There is a good spirit in the team and I think we have gone in the right direction, Ahtinen says about the last months of the national team.
In the coming years, Ahtisen can play a central role and take on a lot of responsibility in the national team. The player finds it appropriate.
– I believe I can do it. I’m a player who likes to take responsibility.
According to him, the national team has a lot of leadership. That’s what the national team aiming for success also needs.
– There are big and good leaders in the national team. We need several players who want and dare to take responsibility if we want the team to succeed, Ahtinen estimates.