Huuhkajat will meet today, Friday, at the Helsinki Olympic Stadium in Northern Ireland. The live broadcast of the match starts on TV2, Areena and the app at 18:30.
HELSINKI. Many supporters of the Finnish men’s national football team have been waiting for this sight. Robin Lod and Teemu Pukki balling together at the Töölö football stadium. The radar couple representing Minnesota United is preparing for the final matches of the EC qualifiers with their former club HJK, after the club team’s season in MLS has ended.
The duo’s joint play in Huhkajie’s attack has produced countless goals, but in Minnesota Lod and Pukki have yet to get on the field together. When Finland’s number one striker moved from Norwich to MLS in the summer, Lodi’s season in North America was already over. A knee sprain injury against Houston in May required surgery.
During Lodi’s injury, Huuhkajie also had time to get away with a direct European Championship place through the qualifiers. Finland played excellently without Lodi in the qualifying games in June and September, but the October losses to Slovenia and Kazakhstan crushed further dreams.
– It’s been a bit of a roller coaster. I remember when I dragged myself with sticks to the Olympic stadium in June. The matches went really well, it was wonderful to watch. It wasn’t so nice to watch the matches of the last window from the couch at home, Lod times.
Now Lod has returned his crutches to the hospital and doesn’t have to watch Huuhkajie’s games from the couch. The head coach Markku Kanerva selected Lodi, who has recovered from his injury, to the national team for the European Championship qualifiers in November.
– Maybe the game feeling is not the best possible, but there is even more enthusiasm for the game. This was my first major injury. There was time to think that futis is really nice when you get on the field, Lod laughs.
In the final matches of the European Championship qualifiers against Northern Ireland and San Marino, there is no greater stake, but fortunately Finland also has a back door to the European Championship.
The final matches of the qualifiers are important preparatory matches for the Nations League playoffs in March, through which Germany’s place in next summer’s European Championship would open up with two wins.
– Even though there is no way to play like that, they are really important, especially mentally. After the disappointment of the previous window, this is a good place to wash your face and find that desire to win again. That way, a positive atmosphere can be built for the important matches in March, Lod sums up.
The interview will be conducted at the Töölö football stadium, where Lod has celebrated the Four Finnish Championship in HJK’s shirt. The men’s national team sealed their first place in the European Championships four years ago in the same stadium with a 3–0 victory over Liechtenstein.
The milieu that secured a place in the European Championship still evokes strong emotions in Lodi.
– It’s one of the best days of my futsal career. It can’t be described in words, it was a great day and I’ll always remember it, Lod said.
– It really motivates me, I want to continue to feel like that. Bring the hunger to the games in March to be able to experience it again.
Teemu Puki’s pair of radars
Robin Lodi’s importance to the national team has been great in recent years. Especially the role in the ball game has been important. He creates a lot of space and opportunities for his teammates with his passes and passes.
Lod commented on his own role in the national team humbly.
– I’ve been involved for a long time and maybe I’ll soon start to be at the older end of the group. I’m excited to go there to share a good atmosphere and bring out my own strengths in playing with a ball, says Lod.
Lodi’s importance to Huuhkaji is especially evident in the play of Teemu Puki. When Lodi is on the field, Finland’s number one striker has been in many times more dangerous goal posts in recent years than when the radar pair was absent.
– I have always really liked playing with Teemu. He’s one of my favorite players I’ve gotten to play with. I feel that I can bring out the best in the helped Teemus, says Lod.
– The thoughts go together quite nicely. Both know how the other moves on the field and likes to play. Playing is easier when you are on the same wavelength.
Conditions for success
During Markku Kanerva’s years, the whole team has been on the same wavelength at their best. Lod feels that the basis of everything in a successful national team is a good atmosphere and the mutual trust of the team members.
– That’s where the basic gameplay starts, after that you can start doing smaller things, says Lod.
– I think we have created a good atmosphere in the national team in recent years. When young people have come, it’s been nice to see them and they’ve said that it’s nice and easy to come. Then we parents have done something right.
A good atmosphere does not mean that the team only has fun. According to Lodi, the will to win has been a big part of Huuhkaj’s success in recent years.
– The level of requirements must be high. You have to work, and enjoy doing things in front of others. It is important that there has been sacrifice and that no one has been left alone.
Lod is 30 years old and Pukki is 33 years old. The duo may not have many value race qualifiers left. Lod hopes that new success can be built on top of the success of their generation.
– We have reached the first stage and have gone to the Games. Hopefully the younger ones will still come and go to the Games by throwing, and will still be successful in the Games, Lod smiles.
– As older players, we try to create continuity and show what it has required. I hope the young people will learn and do it even better.
The broadcast of the European Championship qualifying match between Finland and Northern Ireland starts on Friday 17.11. on TV2 and Areena at 6:30 p.m. The EC qualifiers will end with an away match against San Marino on Monday 20.11. The broadcast of the match starts on channels at 21:15.