Huhkaji’s performances in the autumn League of Nations have been weak. On the other hand, Pikkuhuuhkajat, who firmly clung to a place in the European Championship, has brought joy to the Finns.
Kamilla Rajander,
Jussi Vainikka
Finland will face Greece in its Nations League match on Sunday, November 17. ‘s broadcast of the match starts at 18:30.
The Finnish men’s national football team was on their way back from Ireland on Friday evening, just when the under-21 national team beat Norway 5-1 in their European Championship play-off match.
The Huuhkajie players didn’t see the match, but the result of the first leg came to their attention soon after the plane landed in Finland.
– The first thing I had to do was ask, sorry, how long did it end. 5 to 1? revealed the head coach of the A national team Markku Kanerva his first reaction at a press conference on Saturday.
The fate of the European Championship place will be decided on Tuesday next week in Stravanger, Norway, but the Pikkuhuhkaji’s hold on the race ticket is solid.
– An absolutely wonderful victory, a fantastic thing. There is still another match, but the starting points and possibilities for the dream to come true are very good, Kanerva continued.
Those who were part of the A national team earlier this fall Top Middle, Tomas Galvez and Leo Walta was named to the Pikkuhuuhkajie team for the EC further qualifiers against Norway, although at the same time the Huuhkajats are playing in the last matches of the Nations League.
Among them, Walta and Galvez scored in the first leg against the Norwegian net.
– It’s great that these players are helping, Kanerva said.
About Friday’s scorers as well Casper Terho and Juho Talvitie have already debuted in the men’s national team.
Races in Hradecky’s second home country
The Friday evening performances of the little brats also brought a smile Lukas Hradecky to the lips.
– When the phones opened from the airplane mode, there was a lot of joy. Probably none of us expected a 5-1 result either. A win in itself is already good, but such a big win. Big shots for Tuesday, it looks good, the Huuhkajie captain encouraged in an interview with Urheilu.
The European Under-21 Championship will be decided in June in Slovakia, which is the second homeland of Hradecky, who was born in Bratislava, the country’s capital.
Hradecky said that when the holidays are right around the corner, he’s considering going there as a fan of Little Huhkajie.
– First we go to the games, and we won’t lick until we drop. We’ll see what the situation is next summer, but certainly if a good expert is needed in a studio on the spot, I’ll go as a guide, Hradecky enthused.
He believed that many other fans are also going to support Finland.
– We (Huuhkajat) have not been able to offer moments of joy. If somehow the supporters can get a patch for this bad phase of ours, surely many will leave.
Greece game general for World Cup qualifiers
The Huuhkajs, who are plowing through a losing streak, have the next opportunity to create moments of joy right away on Sunday, when the team will meet on their home field in the Greek Nations League final.
– Losing six matches is quite different from losing five matches. Now we want to end this failed Nations League in a good way and also reward our loyal supporters and the juniors who will come to watch tomorrow, Hradecky said.
– We don’t take it for granted that they encourage us even in these situations.
A good result on Sunday is the team’s goal also considering the upcoming World Cup qualifiers, for which the Greece match acts as a general. The World Cup qualifiers for Finland will probably start already in March.
Head coach Markku Kanerva admitted that the situation is difficult. It would be easier to start the World Cup qualifiers if there were victories and more confidence.
– Hopefully we will be ready when the qualifiers start. It is also possible that a friendly match will be played in March and the qualifiers will start later. Maybe it could even be in the wishes, Kanerva commented.
Finland will face Greece in its Nations League match on Sunday, November 17. ‘s broadcast of the match starts at 18:30.