Five Veikkausliiga players to keep an eye on in 2012
Nordic Football News names five leading players for the Veikkausliiga 2012 season. The players represent both established names in the Finnish scene as well as talents who should reap their potential this season and go on to even greater things. Goalkeeper Jukka Lehtovaara; Club: TPS; Veikkausliiga appearances/goals: 112/0; Year of birth: 1988 Jukka Lehtovaara has been one of the...
Veikkausliiga season 2012: HJK will claim title, but a surprise is brewing in the relegation battle
Veikkausliiga already kicked off a few weeks ago so this season guide is way overdue. But let’s not allow that insignificant detail put us off since, despite the first rounds offering some surprises, there are still almost 30 matches to be played, which means that the league’s power balance will even itself out in the...
Veikkausliiga season 2012: HJK will claim title, but a surprise is brewing in the relegation battle
Veikkausliiga already kicked off a few weeks ago so this season guide is way overdue. But let’s not allow that insignificant detail put us off since, despite the first rounds offering some surprises, there are still almost 30 matches to be played, which means that the league’s power balance will even itself out in the...
Paatelainen’s Finland revolution – phase one completed, tactical consistency achieved (part 1 of 2)
After half a decade spent going through the motions and hoping for a miracle with quick fix coaching appointments, the Finnish Football Association finally took the inevitable leap of faith in 2011 and set forth on a long-term project with the national team. The first step was taken in March with the appointment of Mixu...
Paatelainen’s Finland revolution – phase one completed, tactical consistency achieved (part 1 of 2)
After half a decade spent going through the motions and hoping for a miracle with quick fix coaching appointments, the Finnish Football Association finally took the inevitable leap of faith in 2011 and set forth on a long-term project with the national team. The first step was taken in March with the appointment of Mixu...
Post-Christmas cheer in Oslo for out-of-contract players
Tomi Maanoja used to play for AIK Stockholm before a broken leg ruined his career. With two young children, but no contract, the FIFPro Winter Tournament in Oslo may just provide the Finn with the little bit of luck he deserves.
HJK in 2011: the double, transfers and near-success in Europe
2011 was a season to remember for HJK. Not only did ‘Klubi’ won their third consecutive title and the Finnish Cup (overall their 24th league championship and 11th cup victory), but they did this in a swashbuckling fashion. The Helsinki team finished the season with a 24-point lead to second-place Inter and scored a whopping 86 goals...
Denmark 2-1 Finland | International friendly match report
• Denmark 2-1 FinlandNicklas Bendtner was again on target as the Euro 2012 finalists Denmark registered their second victory in four days by coming from a goal down to defeat Finland 2-1 in a friendly in Esbjerg.Finland took the lead in the 18th minu...
Finland 1-2 Sweden | Euro 2012 Group E qualifier match report
Sweden clinched a top-two position in Euro 2012 Group E qualifying after a smash-and-grab 2-1 victory over their neighbours Finland. Hungary, in third place, cannot now catch the Swedes, who have a better head-to-head record.An early goal by Sebastian ...
How will lively transfer window affect HJK?
It has been a highly eventful start to the autumn for HJK. First, maintaining their devastating form in the league, the Helsinki club all but secured the Veikkausliiga title already in August. Then, ‘Klubi’ gave Schalke a proper run for their money in the Europa League play-offs, beating the Germans 2-0 at home until imploding...
HJK-Schalke 2-0: hosts earn hard-fought victory
It was a night to remember at the Sonera Stadium last Thursday as HJK recorded a historical victory with a battling performance over the German giants Schalke in the Europa League play-off first leg. Teemu Pukki scored two fantastic goals to cap a magnificent team performance by the home side which put the Finns on...
It’s just like watching bowls
It is a tedious cliché that Finnish football is small-time and insignificant, but it is unfortunately also kinda true. Precarious finances and a disinterested public make the professional game here seem lower profile than, say, crown green bowls in the UK, or cricket in the United States. That is a little stark. There is coverage...
