And Soon It’ll Be Over

FIN - ITA at Jericho Beach

The games didn’t go quite as planned. Today we played Italy on Pool C, which means positions below 9. We won the game 17-6 on the beautiful Jericho Beach field. The scenery was amazing, and although we had heard the fields can be quite windy there was practically no wind today. We wallowed in the disappointment of losing to Colombia for a little while and then decided to play tough until every game of the tournament was played. This time we began strong and we stayed strong throughout the game. The goal is now to take the same attitude to the game against Switzerland tomorrow morning and finish in the ninth position. And then off to the beer garden…

Music suggestions for the team?

We are collecting a tournament CD for the team. So far these songs have been selected, but we want to find some more adrenaline pumping, positive energy, good spirit songs. Any suggestions?

1. Fintelligens – Kaikki Peliin

2. Martti vainaa ja Sallitut Aineet – Pelimies

3. Tik tak – Sankaritar

4. U2 – Beautiful Day

5. Black Eyed Peas – Let’s get it started

6. Vicky Rosti: Sata salamaa

7. Kaija Koo: Tinakenkätyttö

8. Apulanta: Viivakodit

9. Enrique Iglesias: Can you hear me

10. Teräsbetoni: Taivas lyö tulta

Sore toes

The second training camp was a success. Sun shined and every one was motivated. It is challenging to fit the different styles of different teams together, but as the weekend got further the playing got better.

The weird part of the weekend was the reservation system of the field. Apparently football players are used to having access to the field at all times. It was very hard for them to comprehend that we really did have the whole field reserved for us. And that we actually needed the whole field for ourselves. And that we didn’t want to let them use the grass and go to the sand or to the park. Luckily we got the field manager on our side and were able to keep the valuable field time to ourselves.

The weekend was hard, at least on our toes. Half of the people had found their old worn out cleats for Sunday because it was too painful to put the new fitting cleats on. Black toe nails is the new trend among us…

First training camp

Our first training camp was held in Tapiola, Espoo 29.-30.3. Almost every player was there to show their skills and have their first outdoor practice of the year.

The Finnish nature decided to make it a bit more challenging for us. During the week before the camp it snowed properly for the first time this winter. Our artificial grass field was covered with snow, but luckily the sand field next to it had already melted. Which made it very wet. Luckily the sun was shining and we were all thrilled to be outdoors after the long winter.

It was a lot of fun to play, and it was a lot of fun to get to know all the people who are applying for the national team this year.