Finland played its best match of the tournament in the World Cup semi-final against Sweden. According to expert Topi Nättinen, the Young Lions also have what it takes to win Canada.
12:09•Updated 12:14
Finland’s under-20 national ice hockey team advanced to the final of the World Cup against Canada when it won Kasper Puutio with a goal for Sweden, 1–0. Sports expert Top Nättinen highlights three excerpts from Nuorten Leijonien.
1. Finland played its best match of the tournament
The young Lions have had difficulties in many areas during the tournament, but on Saturday morning Finnish time, the team played their best match of the tournament overall.
You topped it all off with a goal Leevi Meriläinen surprisingly replaced Juha Jatkolan love.
– It was a very bold move by the coaching team to put Jatkola in the goal and it turned out to be right due to the top game, says Nättinen.
In particular, Suomen Alivoima was better than before. Suomen Alivoima was around 45 percent before the match.
– Finland also scored the one needed superiority goal, but above all, Alivoima worked and Finland handled the 5-3 against even the inferiority complex.
According to Nättinen, Jatkola, who blocked a top game, showed calmness.
– He even sometimes played with rackets and was really relaxed. Not arrogant in any way, but something to do in a really cool way. Everything looked really easy. He was clearly enjoying himself.
Nättinen emphasizes how tough a place Jatkola got into. The youngster had only played one match in the tournament and therefore basically prepared for the role of second keeper.
– I felt that the defense was also confident in front of him. It was great to watch. Great story.
2. The Young Lions raised the emotional level to the pin
The emotional level of the young Lions was lacking at the beginning of the tournament, but Finland lit up in a different way against Sweden. Earlier, head coach Antti Pennanen also commented on his team’s mental readiness, but this time the team charged up for the match in the right way.
The tendon also lasted through the struggle.
– Now I finally saw that certain need. I didn’t doubt at all that against Sweden, the mental side would be brought up, but it was great to see that Finland really put their bodies to work. I don’t just mean sacrifice, Nättinen says and continues:
– The players showed a desire to win situations and the team was ready to fight. Individual things such as blocks were ventilated and defending one’s own goal. The goal was properly ventilated and you could see the emotion on the field.
3. The offensive game didn’t spark yet
Finland still didn’t get its offensive game completely right with five on five, but according to Nättinen, Finland played very well in defense. As a whole, Finland can take many good things from the match against Sweden, thinking about the final.
– For example, it was great to notice the patience of Finland’s defensive game. Sweden’s high tempo was suppressed in the opening set and Finland was humble. There were also already indications of rotations in the attack zone, although it did not materialize in the goal yet.
Nättinen is also pushing even longer attacks from Finland, with which it is also able to stun the pre-favorite in the Canadian final.
– Even if we don’t get a goal, Finland has to keep the puck in Canada’s end and make them frustrated. They certainly want a fierce attacking game and the home crowd will have a strong emotional charge.
The expert believes that Finland still has a chance to challenge and even beat Canada in a single match.
– By defending, Finland can get close to winning a single match, but it also requires a few Napsu five-on-five for attacking play. Finland must find the mental courage to attack and challenge Canada, says Nättinen.