Finland’s men will face Denmark in the futsal World Cup qualifier on Wednesday, March 8 in Vantaa, starting at 6:10 p.m. TV2 will show the match live from 18:00
Finland’s situation in group 8 is such that a win – preferably a large one – over Denmark will probably be enough for second place in the World Cup qualifiers.
Romania, which beat Denmark 5-3 last Sunday away, has done its job and has already secured its direct continuation place in the group with ten points.
Finland has four points before the last game and it definitely needs three more points from the Denmark game. Last November, Finland went on to beat group jumbo and zero club Denmark 6–0.
Becomes a core player of the futsal national team Lassi Lintula, 26, sees that Finland has played better results in its three qualifying games. Romania beat Finland 2–1 away from home in the World Cup qualifiers and played a 0–0 draw at home.
– We have played well, but there have been difficulties in scoring in the matches in Romania. We’ve gotten to some pretty good places, but then the last touch hasn’t been done.
Since last spring, the Finnish national futsal team has had a new coaching group, which was named as the responsible coach Sergio Gargelli with a contract lasting until summer 2025.
Gargelli jumped into big boots, because Mico Martic coached Finland in an upward direction for nine years. The Croatian’s era culminated in the European Championship in Holland, played at the beginning of 2022, where Finland progressed magnificently from the first group to the next round and narrowly lost 2–3 to Portugal, who took the championship, in the quarterfinals.
– The basic concept has remained the same, that is, we try to rely on good press and special situations. We have tried to make the ball game bolder so that we can control the game more than before, Lintula instructs.
– At least in the last game against Romania, we were able to keep the ball well – let’s face it, maybe Romania settled for a draw and that affected their press play. A bigger test for us will only come in tougher games, continues Lintula.
A futsal attendance record is expected for Vantaa
The decisive final match of the national futsal team’s World Cup qualifiers against Denmark has been of interest to the public. Vantaa’s Myyrmäki Arena (approx. 3,500 spectators) will probably be sold out on Wednesday, and a domestic audience record for the sport is expected.
– It’s cool to see that the cottage is full. It’s magic, especially when in Vantaa the stands are on all sides of the field and they come very close to the sideline. It’s great to see that national team futsal, with its contribution, is becoming more and more interesting in Finland, Lintula enthuses.
Finland’s experienced national team guard has been sidelined over the past year, and in the last two World Cup qualifying matches, Lassi Lintula has started the men’s futsal team.
– The team has gotten younger. I believe that I am quite ready now (for bigger boots) and the responsibility has come very nicely. Just throw the ball away, that’s how it goes, Lintula, who has scored one goal in three qualifying matches, smiles.
Lintula, who scored goals on a conveyor belt in the domestic series, has “only” scored three goals in the national team shirt so far.
– Maybe it’s the same problem we had against Romania. I can get to places ok, but that last touch and wanting to really score that goal is still a bit behind me, reflects Lintula.
Lintula, who represented Ilves FS at the beginning of his career, made his debut in the national team at the age of 18 in 2016. In what areas has Lassi Lintula progressed as a player?
– As a player, he has now become aware of what his own strengths are and what he can do to succeed or even make a difference to others. Nowadays, I feel that pressing is one of my strengths. With self-confidence, the ball game has developed. And during the five years, physics has, of course, also improved, adds Lintula.
Lintula moved to Poland in January
Lintula moved to Polish reigning champions Piast Gliwice at the beginning of January. Lintula, who went abroad from Dynamo Campus in Jyväskylä, became the third Finn to play in the Polish main league. The other Finns playing in Poland are Jani Korpela (Rekord Bielsko-Biala) and Jaakko Alasuutari (KS Contract Lubawa).
– We have had a good gang together with KaDy, especially in the last couple of seasons, and through the championships we have played European games. A big thank you goes to the head coach for the development of my KaDy years For Vasko Vujović. It has been a good school that has prepared me to take the next step to international fields, says Lintula.
Lintula says that there is really tough competition for playing spots in Poland. Three or four players from his team will be in the stands per match.
– This in itself creates a fierce competitive situation during training, when every player wants to give his best even in training. So far it’s been going well. After a short break, we will be able to grind the playoffs there as well. In Poland, the top three teams are really good if you compare it to the Finnish futsal league.
– In Poland, we like to play a lot with the ball. You have to have more courage to play. The harder the game, the harder the tempo and the solutions have to be made even faster. I definitely still have room for improvement in these matters, says Lintula.
A legend of the sport, already finished his career Panu Autio has spoken on ‘s futsal broadcasts about the players’ body language and highlighted, among others, Lassi Lintula, whose personality has seen a remarkable and “sublime” change over the course of five years.
– I don’t know if it is a conscious cause and effect relationship that successes always feed successes. When self-confidence builds up, you dare to make bolder decisions on the field, Lintula notes.
Lassi Lintula was interviewed by Matti Härkönen.