Jenni Morottaja, 39, returned to the league after a five-year break and helped Koove to the semi-finals. However, in the playoffs starting on Friday, he will not be seen.
Many in floorball circles rubbed their eyes in January when Koovee, who plays in the F-League, released his recent confirmation. Defender Jenni Morottaja39, has become familiar to the floorball audience over the years, as it has a large career behind it, with numerous World Championship and World Championship medals.
At the league level, Morottaja made his debut back in 1997 – before most of Kooveen’s players were born. However, Morottaja was only 14 years old when he made his debut.
However, Morotha’s awe-inspiring career had already ended in 2017, five years ago.
– If this was a surprise to the general public, so was I. There were no advance remarks or warnings. After Juha Kurki jumped into coaching, he called and asked if I was going to join. Kurki said that now the team would need to maintain a place in the league and that experience is needed, Morottaja opens.
Koovee released Kari Lehtisalon from the position of head coach of the women’s league team in mid-January. Kurki was a familiar coach for the team, as he previously served as the team’s assistant coach.
Kurki knew Morottaja from Kerava, where the head coach had previously coached. The contract was initiated by the head coach.
– At the age of 39, I wouldn’t have left to push myself. It was a pleasure to see at such an old age that someone believes in skills and abilities even though they had not played in the league for five years. I was well taken.
However, Morottaja did not respond directly to the request.
– It is always a challenge to join as new in the middle of the season and especially in a situation like this, when the team is having a hard time. As a player, I’m pretty self-critical and I really demand a lot from myself. At home, we discussed how we can take care of a younger girl’s hobbies and the rest, Morottaja says.
The name legend also made me think. Morottaja was named Legend of the Floorball Association in the spring of 2018, and Morottaja is reportedly the first legend to return to the top. So Morottaja asked Coach Kurke to make sure of the covenant they would bring back from the return.
– However, I had realized that the legend is ennobled when the active career is over. I asked Juha to contact the union and ask for their opinion.
The arrangement agreed for the floorball association, and support also came from home.
– When my spouse showed the green light that everything was in order, I announced the same day that I was there.
The F-league playoffs start today, Friday. A surprising turn is seen in Morottaja’s return saga, as he is not involved when Koovee starts his semi-finals on Saturday.
– My goal was for the team to stay in the league and the goal was achieved. I think the team from here will do without me, Morottaja says.
Koovee defeated Group B challenger SaiPan 3–1 in the playoffs and retained his place in Group A next season as well. F-league semi-finals Koovee will start on Saturday as the away PSS winner of the regular season.
In a couple of weeks
After contacting the head coach, everything happened quickly. First of all, Morottaja went to improve his fitness as a physics coach Tiia Hautalan advice. The early Morottaja had played in the ranks of the first division in the Blackbirds of Kerava.
– There was no level near what in the league. Even there, I actually only went to play games, there was really little training, Morottaja reveals.
Morottaja also made it clear to Koove that he was unable to travel to practice many times a week due to work and family life. Morottaja works in management positions at Kehitysvammatuki ry, but the employer also gave the league project the green light and supported the decision.
Morottaja immediately started following the fitness program. Less than two weeks later, he made his debut in the F-League in a local match against Classic.
– The first league games were time to get up and running. There was no fitness at all. Against Classic, I think I would go to the last exchange in the field to get a feel for the feel.
Two days later, Morottaja was already playing the entire game against PSS. The champion favorite in the series smashed Koove 8-0.
– I was still in the yard. The league has accelerated so much in five years, individuals have evolved and tactics have moved forward. From there, little by little went on.
In the last match of the regular season against SB-Pro, about a month after returning to the league level, Morottaja felt that the body was already on the move. He also made his season opener in the league when Koovee won 5-2 and broke his loss in 13 games.
At the same time, Morottaja struck a league goal as early as the fourth decade.
A different return
Morottaja has played at the league level now in the nineteen league season. The latest comeback is by no means the first for Morottaja – he has successfully returned to the league level on a few occasions. This time, however, the return was different, even on the basis of age. The last time the league career ended was partly due to maternity.
– Everyday life is really different than in 2014, for example. The attitude is also different than when you are younger. It was then that he knew that although there was a long injury behind him, he could get in easily and quickly, Morottaja opens.
During his league career, he also went to the divar side on a couple of occasions to “suck up oxygen.”
– I was quite a rebel young, it didn’t really matter tomorrow. If I hadn’t had breaks in my time, there would already be 23 leagues behind me.
No longer this spring, games will continue at the main league level, but he has not completely closed the doors to return in the future.
– It’s fun to see that about a while the basic condition and the rest will come back. It was thrown at home that I should throw in a few more league seasons. I don’t know if anyone wants to run around like this for the entire season. While waiting for a phone call!