According to Urheilu’s expert Topi Nättinen, in the case of Finland, we can even talk about overperformance, considering the starting points.
The United States celebrates the World Youth Championship gold. It beat Finland 4–3 in the final.
The world championship was the second in a row for the United States in this age group. Last year, it celebrated gold in Gothenburg, Sweden by knocking off the competition host, Sweden.
Finland had last played in the final in 2022. At that time, the team took the cauldron from Canada.
Sports expert Top Nättinen go through the most important points of the World Cup final.
Problems playing in the lead position
The United States was a clear early favorite going into the final match, even though Finland managed to defeat the reigning champion in the first group.
Finland became passive again in the lead position, just like in the semi-final against Sweden.
– The beginning of the final was really intense. Finland has had problems playing in the lead, both against Slovakia and Sweden. Yes, it was revealed in a rather harsh way once again, Nättinen times the final.
– Twice the goalkeeper survived with dry feet in these Petteri Rimpinen with help, Nättinen adds.
Could Finland have made some changes when the United States tied the game in the final?
– You can always react. However, it seems that the United States just reached its own potential. Even if Finland had done anything, the opponent was just more determined. Finland certainly beat everything, but the potential of the United States was now seen.
“Maximum performance”
Nuoret Leijonat started the tournament with a bang. In the first match, Canada defeated Finland 4–0, and in the second game against Germany, despite the victory, a rather sleepy lion pack was seen on the field.
– Yes, this was the maximum and even overachieving from Finland, especially considering the first two matches. The composition before the start of the tournament compared to other countries also made me think.
According to Nättinen, Finland grew as a team as the tournament progressed. Goalkeeper Rimpinen also announced this in an interview with TV5 after the final loss.
– Yes, I am proud of the guys. Such a united group when you think that some came from North America just before the Games, Rimpinen said and reminded that Finland as a team did not have time to be together before this.
– Finland grew game-wise and mentally with a level of self-confidence even beyond its own potential. In that sense, the project was completely successful, says Nättinen.
The most valuable player of the tournament
Captain America Ryan Leonard19, was awarded as the tournament’s most valuable player after the final. Leonard scored two goals in the final. In total, the Boston College forward scored 10 points (5+5) in the tournament.
The expert has an insight into who was actually the most valuable player for his team in the tournament.
– Without any colored glasses, the most valuable player of the tournament for his own team and in relation to everything he did was Petteri Rimpinen. I think the most valuable player can be chosen from the losing final team, says Nättinen.
Rimpinen was a goalkeeper second best in the tournament a save percentage of 93.33 and an average of 2.34 goals conceded per match. Of course, Rimpinen was selected as the best goalkeeper of the tournament and in the star field.
According to Nättinen, the Finnish Games would have been very different without goalkeeper Rimpi.
– Without Rimpi or with a slightly worse Rimpi, the road could have stopped much earlier.
United States captain Ryan Leonard, chosen as the tournament’s most valuable player, lifted the trophy.
The head coach Lauri Mikkola gets to build his team for the next World Youth Championship partly from the same players.
– What can be done even better in the future, so that we don’t have to rely so much on defensive play or goalkeeping, for example, but can be challenged by attacking more. Then the goalkeeper wouldn’t have to stand with his head on for the whole tournament, Nättinen concludes.
The next World Youth Championships will be played next December-January in the USA in the cities of Minneapolis and Saint Paul.
Updated at 9:55 a.m.: Added tournament star field and other top player picks.