Teemu Hartikainen, who completed Finland’s winning goal in the match against France, was happy about the successes of Marko “Mörkö” Anttila, the striker of the Lions.
Timo Uusitalo,
Jussi Saarinen
The winger of the Lions’ first five Teemu Hartikainen calls for patience from Suomi fans.
– France persevered well in the match and it was tight. However, a win is a win. There were enough places. When relaxation comes along, more of them (goals) start to come. Each goal gives more relaxation and increases self-confidence at the same time.
Hartikainen shot Sakari Manninen in the beginning of the third period, with the superiority of the hit that remained from the preliminary work as Finland’s 4–2 winning goal.
Hartikainen and Manninen have scored in four World Cup games a total of five times now, but having scored more than 60 goals in the NHL season, the third link in the chain Mikko Rantanen still looking for his opening goal.
– For four games, we have just learned how to play together. A snap increases relaxation, and it will be good. All the time, that playing is developing. When you come from North America, it takes a while to adapt here (to the European arena), Hartikainen instructed and referred to Rantani in his speech, Go to Kakop and Kasperi Kapaseen.
Captain Marko Anttilan the ability to stretch was no longer a surprise.
– I’ve been in these circles enough already that it doesn’t surprise me anymore. A moron is a moron. Today it was nice to see again that when goals were needed, he came forward. There is some magic in Mörö’s playing when he puts on the Leijona shirt, Hartikainen grinned widely.
– Five goals were hit on the board. And there was more on offer. But that (efficiency) was needed, and it will be included here.
Celebrating Anttila’s goal excited the home crowd
Finland’s best player against France was the captain, 37-year-old Marko Anttila, who scored 1+1.
Anttila wildly celebrated his 3-2 solo goal in the second period in the Tampere Areena. At least the audience was fired up by the full hit of the Leijona legend.
– I get very excited about them, when there aren’t an awful lot of them (goals) during the year. I always try to bring the best to the table and I enjoy playing in the World Cup, confessed the cult striker of big games.
– A hard day’s work had to be done, because France was a mobile team that skated well. It was already known in advance.
Five goals against France was one of the few joys for Leijon. Instead, 12 setbacks in four games still arouses a little criticism.
– We had even more places today. Enough was done. The performances were okay, but we can improve the defense in certain situations. Maybe also patience. However, everyone knows that these games are strictly organized matches, Anttila reminded.
– Efficiency was achieved, but the games are always a little different against different opponents. The direction is right and the win is important, said Anttila.
Finland–France 5–3 (1–1, 2–1, 2–1)
01.04 0–1 Chakiachvili (Bozon, Texier)
04.37 1–1 Pesonen (Pokka, Lammikko)
23.35 2–1 Oksanen (Anttila, Friman)
28.31 2–2 Addamo (Gallet, Leclerc)
31.36 3–2 Anttila (Matinpalo)
45.22 4–2 Hartikainen (Manninen, Rantanen) yv
49.08 4–3 Bertrand (Chakiachvili, Bozon)
58.58 5–3 Manninen (Rantanen, Määttä) etc
Goalkeeper saves:
Emil Larmi FIN 7+4+8=19
Julian Junca FRA 10+9+8=27
Series table
The remaining Finnish matches of the opening series:
Fri 19.5. Finland–Hungary at 16:20
Sat 20.5. Finland–Austria at 16:20
Tue 23.5. Finland–Denmark at 20:20