Harri Nummela, the president of the Ice Hockey Association, gives his full support to the head coach of the Women’s Lions, Juuso Toivola.
The Finnish women’s national ice hockey team’s tournament was a failure at the World Championships in Denmark.
On Thursday, Naisleijonat lost to the Czech Republic 1-2 after extra time in the quarter-final. The tournament continues with ranking matches, but the Women’s Lions’ aim was naturally in the medal games – before this, Finland had always placed in the top four at the World Cup level.
President of the Ice Hockey Association Harri Nummela tells Urheilu that in the post-tournament discussions with the management of the Women’s Lions, the emphasis is on how the team’s work peace will be maintained in the future.
– There was a lot of media attention around the team. The messages from within the team to me were that they did not affect the game.
Recently, there have been other commotions surrounding female lions. Many remember when the team’s former head coach Pasi Mustonen dropped the top goalkeeper Noora Rädyn from the team last winter.
– There have certainly been more discussions related to matters outside the game, but I wouldn’t draw too far-reaching conclusions from this yet, Nummela says.
Sports expert Ismo Lehkonen according to Kohut were visible in the Finland-Czech Republic semi-final.
– There you could see that the top players and even the experienced Lionesses felt the pressure. Right from the top, you couldn’t predict what kind of commotion would arise if a player went to a wedding in the middle of the Games.
Toivola’s support continues
Will Juuso Toivola continue as head coach at Naisleijon after the disappointment?
Toivola is already speculating on his own position after the defeat.
– It’s probably not a surprise that it has crossed my mind. But we go one game at a time and one extension at a time. We’ll see. I’m all for you with that. Of course it hurts and it’s not nice, but you have to move on. The journey continues, Toivola stated.
According to Nummela, Toivola is continuing as the head coach of the Women’s Lions.
– Regarding Juuso, it can be said that the journey continues.
According to Lehkonen, the Finnish coaching team needs to be reformed. However, Lehkonen does not directly say whether Toivolan must leave.
– The big deal is that the top management sits down and they start to tear down the parts that need to be put in order. If there is a chance to find a better head coach and we are one hundred percent sure of that, why not choose a new line.
New talent for Naisleijon
The World Cup in Denmark has shown that women’s hockey is developing. The game of the best countries goes on and new challengers come.
Female lions have not kept up with the development. Back in the 2019 World Cup, Finland was very close to the World Cup gold.
Is it possible that Finland will not be able to close the gap between the leading countries?
– Now I’m using a really negative word: “If we continue with the same tinkering”, Lehkonen answers.
According to Lehkonen, the Women’s Lions needs better coaching. He emphasizes that, for example, Vierumäki’s training conditions are used by the players. The investment should go to ice training.
– If 2/3 goes to off-ice activities, we’re in the woods. 3/4 must be ice level activity. In this way, the international level is achieved.
According to Lehkonen, the Lionesses fall short of the leader in skill level.
– There is know-how in Finland for skating, puck handling, shooting and puck possession. The best assistants must be recruited.
The president of the ice hockey association, Nummela, does not consider girls’ skill training to be a central problem.
– Skills training is already aimed at girls. I personally see the key issue as how we can strengthen – both the clubs themselves and with the support of the Ice Hockey Federation – the financial resources of the Women’s League. There are plenty of sporty ideas. There is no shortage of ideas. Better resources should be acquired to implement development ideas.
How big a challenge is it to get more money for the Women’s League?
– Yes, it requires a lot of work, new ideas as well. And long-term work, says Harri Nummela.