The Finnish men’s hockey national team has spent Monday calmly, but the long-awaited folk festival is ahead. Hannes Björninen and Frans Tuohimaa plan to enjoy every moment.
Joel Holma,
Anu Karttunen
30.5. 18:00 • Updated May 30 18:19
Less than a day has passed since the confirmation of the fourth men’s hockey world championship in Finland, and there have been considerable celebrations among both the supporters and the team. Monday night is Hannes Björnisen according to it the finest event: a folk festival at Hakametsä Ice Rink.
– These are moments that are not met many times in life. You just have to enjoy every moment, Björninen said and stated that the most memorable moment was when the championship was decided.
– The public support we got and the way it was there anyway. I have never experienced anything like it.
Crowds have already begun to flow into the parking area of Hakametsä Ice Rink, and about 60,000 people are expected to attend.
– The number is growing all the time, which is a good signal that people are coming in large numbers, Frans Tuohimaa smiled and admitted that he did not really know what to expect from the party.
– But a crazy thing and a crazy thing is ahead. I look forward to it.
The lions have spent Monday peacefully meeting their families. Last night, on the other hand, the night’s sleep was low due to the late game, but above all because the team saunas together according to a long formula.
Both Björninen and Tuohimaa think the festivities have been very fun and it is expected that they will continue in the same way. According to the duo, the gold medal still tastes good.
– The feeling is great right now. It is not here that I can properly describe that feeling: in front of the home crowd, to win the world championship, in front of all these fans. I think we deserved it, and above all this is the gold of the whole nation, Björninen said.
The finale was quite full of roller coasters and events. According to Björninen, the different twists and turns of the match have been circulating in the mind and have been passed through among the players.
– The game was one that certainly no one had played before. There were so many twists and turns in it that such people are not met very often.
According to Tuohimaa, the Lions was worthy of the World Championship this year precisely because of the atmosphere in the team. The outfit has been close, but it has been easy for everyone to come in – both veterans and first-timers.
– Getting into the crew has taken exactly the moment when the guys have arrived. It’s definitely been a big resource all along. In a way, the cliché that everyone is allowed to be themselves is true. The outfit just welded together so well, and then that thing works. All the gameplay and other things came through it, Tuohimaa said.
According to Björninen Saku Mäenalanen has served as master of ceremonies on the team so far, but it may be that he will get rivals as the party continues. Björninen estimates that the festivities are still in the early stages, but he has no information on how long they will last.
“Let’s go with the flow and see what happens,” he said.
And how is Frans Tuohimaa going to shout at fans at the folk festival today? At least the goalkeeper hadn’t come up with anything special yet.
– I guess I have to spontaneously try to come up with something, he said.