Christmas has always been To Timo Jutila big party This Christmas Eve, the hockey legend turns 60 years old.
– When I woke up in the morning, there were gift packages by the bed. Then there was a rap and mom and dad came to sing Happy Birthday. Nephew sat next to me on the floor and watched in amazement as I opened the birthday packages, Jutila remembers her childhood Christmases.
It was followed by traditional Christmas porridge, putting on hockey gear and playing pinball. After frolicking in the ice, a cone cake was waiting at home.
– Those who came to us got a cone cake and mixed juice. It has become a tradition for me. It was like a gift frenzy all day and it has been like that until now.
Even as a hockey professional, you could spend Christmas quite peacefully, although in the mid-1980s the celebration was shortened to an estimated day.
– That’s when the league games started to be held on Boxing Day. The eve was like Christmas work, but I had to put my thoughts together pretty quickly. You could relax with routines. Christmas sauna in the morning, wedding ceremony and wrapping, and eating ham and other things.
At an older age, watching the genuine joy of children has brought light to Christmas. The children have been peeking at the packages under the tree and excited for Santa’s arrival.
– But above all, I would see that this is a great time in our society. When the store opens, everyone wishes a Merry Christmas. It will make you feel good and positive.
A Christmas miracle in Moscow
One of the miracles of Christmas is the match between Finland and the Soviet Union in the first group of the 1986 Izvestija tournament. The national ice hockey team beat its eastern neighbor for the second time in history on December 17 in Moscow.
– I remember that last minute. We were on the ice and fought. Then I got the feeling that even if I eat that disc, it won’t go (Hannu) Camper to the finish line – it didn’t go. Yes, Suomipoika put himself to the test. There were only Lions on the ice then.
Jutila played Jarmo Kuusiston as a deck pair in the same chain of an attack trio Jari Torkki–Risto Kurkinen–Pekka Järvelä with. Two goals were scored for Finland by Torkki and one by Kurkinen.
– It was an incomprehensible thing. Will not be forgotten. The second victory in history against mother Russia with a score of 3–2. The Ice Palace in Luznik is completely full. 12,000 spectators whistled, shouted and booed.
After the match, Jutila wanted to call her father. He ordered a call from the hotel’s floor cleaner. According to Jutila, the victory of little Finland was not well digested in the Soviet Union. It took more than an hour before Jutila was able to call her father.
– Kari Hiltunen said at the end of the Sports Screen that this game, which is about to start as a post-broadcast, is worth watching. There was a certain element of surprise for the following.
– Father said: “Oh my God, it went like that. Now they must have played the game”.
Read also: Finland shot down the “Red Machine” for the first time in December 1971
Jutila misses the community of the dressing room
Jutila says that she often returns to the memories of her hockey career. Sometimes he is even quite deep in his thoughts. Jutila has especially missed the community of the dressing room.
– Yes, the locker room is where the heart of the team has been.
That’s why he encourages current national team players to enjoy themselves. Tournament trips in particular have left an indelible impression on Jutila.
– It could be that there will never be another opportunity. Then when they’re over, they’re over. After that, there is nothing but memories.
According to Jutila, her story is written under lucky stars. Jutila has played in winning teams with players and coaches that he has missed.
The team needs good individuals, but good individuals are nothing without a team, Jutila states.
– Ice hockey is a team sport. When team spirit is turned on in the right way, it becomes an incredible force. We are definitely at the top of the world in that.
Tail wagging Andy McCoy
Jutila admires the cheerfulness and authenticity of dogs.
– That’s something I’ve been thinking about, why people from our area or many other people haven’t been able to learn that.
According to Jutila, Finns are honest and good people. However, he hopes that people would know how to think a notch more positively and put a little more smile on their faces.
– There have been unpleasant phases here: corona and that one madman’s war in the eastern neighbor, but we cannot influence them. As (Adolf) Ehrnrooth said: Finland is the best country for Finns.
– What is the strength of our entire society? The fact that we do these things together. It’s Finnishness, which becomes guts and everything. We are good together.
Jutila believes that everyone should have some kind of driving force in their life. Jack Russell terrier Andy McCoy has given him a new boost.
– Every morning it comes to me and licks my temple. I open my eyes and it stares with doe eyes, tail wagging. The only thing I wish is that it could still talk. It would probably have so many things.