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The original English-language podcast about Finnish football. Presented by Mark W, Mark H, Rich, Keke & Ally, five Brits with Finnish wives and shared passion for the beautiful game. @explorefinland @fcsuomi @escapetosuomi @kekemyllari & @mano99 bring you a variety of show formats; the original Finnish Football Show discussion show, interviews with key people in Finnish football, and Match Reports of key Finnish national team games. FFS – supporting football in Finland since 2015.
Episodes
Wednesday Oct 12, 2016
Wednesday Oct 12, 2016
Episode 9.
We start by introducing a guest to the Show. Simon Gray joined us to talk to us about recent events in Kakkonen (Finland’s third level of football). Simon played in the recent 8-0 defeat for FC Virkiä from Lapua that got some of our listeners and presenters rather excited. This was his debut in professional football, at the ripe old age of 50!!
He also told us about Virkiä’s links to Liverpool FC, and the summer training camps that have been held in Lapua in recent years. Finally, Simon got the chance to meet a hero recently in a training session with Jari Litmanen, the man known as 'Kuningas' in Finland.
Following on from losing the Suomen Cup final (on penalties to SJK) HJK faced HIFK in the Stadin Derby (Helsinki derby) which resulted in a dramatic 2-1 victory for HIFK and disturbances in the crowd.
Finally, with 3 full rounds of games remaining, we look at the question posed in FFS8: ‘Does anyone want to win this league?’
Wednesday Sep 14, 2016
Wednesday Sep 14, 2016
Episode 8.
As the World Cup qualifying campaign kicks-off, we look at Finland’s first two qualifiers; 2-0 defeat away to Germany and 1-1 draw at home to a freshly-minted Kosovo, and we wax-lyrical about Huuhkajat centre back Paulus Arajuuri.
Also, Veikkausliiga at the ⅔ stage sees HJK Helsinki rising high on a wave of mediocre form. We discuss some recent transfers and talk about a couple of British players shining in the Finnish league. You can also learn what made Mark H say 'Ohhh. I love Roope Riski!' ❤️
Thursday Aug 25, 2016
Thursday Aug 25, 2016
Episode 7.
This episode is a little different, as the extended FFS team each took one of Finland's opponents in the upcoming qualification campaign, for the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
Thanks to our recent guests, Keke Myllari and Henry Hakamäki, who seem to have made themselves quite at home on the podcast and each profiled a team in this episode too. This is the running order:
- CROATIA – Rich Nelson @EscapeToSuomi
- UKRAINE–Henry Hakamäki @Huck1995
- KOSOVO – Mark Wiltshear @explorefinland with a LOT of help from Mehmet Hetemaj from @SJK_Seinajoki
- ICELAND – Keke Myllari @kekemyllari
- TURKEY – Mark Hayton @FCSuomi
Saturday Jul 16, 2016
Saturday Jul 16, 2016
Episode 6.
Rich has taken a hiatus from the show (paternity leave), so Mark & Mark invite friends of the show, Henry Hakamäki and Keke Myllari, to stand-in. We look back to Finland’s recent friendly games; 1-1 draw with Belgium and a 2-0 defeat to Italy, both improvements on recent form. We also look at the Veikkausliig at the ⅓ stage; who has suprised us (IFK Mariehamn, Ilves & Kemi) plus the struggles of HIFK Helsinki.
Wednesday Apr 13, 2016
Wednesday Apr 13, 2016
Episode 5.
Mark, Rich & Mark ponder the title question as Finland, under new manager Hans Backe, receive two morale-sapping defeats 5-0 away to Poland and 2-0 away to Norway. I mean, really! We also reflect on the first few games of the 2016 Veikkausliiga season and make predictions for the forthcoming league campaign, starting with ‘who will finish fourth’ apparently!
Wednesday Mar 09, 2016
Wednesday Mar 09, 2016
As a supplement to the live recorded Finnish Football Show, here's a selection of short articles, which were previously published online. These two articles, written and presented by Henry Hakamäki and Keke Myllari, were both inspired by the recent game between HIFK and FC Lahti, which was played behind closed doors. For no real reason.
The original blog posts:
- Behind Closed Doors - a Liigacup story by Henry Hakamäki, originally published on EscapeToSuomi.net
- Football In Finland – Raising The Profile by Keke Myllari, published by Stand magazine and on Keke's blog
Saturday Feb 27, 2016
Saturday Feb 27, 2016
Episode 4.
As the closed-season continues, Mark, Mark & Rich look at the recent exploits of Finns playing outside of Finland. We also look at upsets and surprises in the pre-season Liigacup competition and consider a few more transfers involving Finnish players and clubs.
Friday Jan 22, 2016
Friday Jan 22, 2016
Episode 3.
Mark, Mark & Rich discuss Finland’s January training camp in Abu Dhabi and friendlies against Sweden & Iceland. We are also joined by Lari Paski, Supporter Liaison Officer at SJK Seinäjoki, to discuss SJK pre-season preparations and transfer activity. We also look at some other potential moves for Veikkausliiga and National Team players.
Friday Dec 18, 2015
Friday Dec 18, 2015
Episode 2.
Mark W, Mark H & Rich carry-out an autopsy of Finland's Euro 2016 qualifying campaign — so near and yet so far! We look at the Romania game that effectively ended Finland's qualification... last minute heartbreak again. And, as manager Mixu Paatelainen's is replaced as manager of Huuhkajat, we ask *Who is Hans Backe?' and list 5 things he needs to do to get Finland to qualify.
Wednesday Nov 18, 2015
Wednesday Nov 18, 2015
Episode 1.
Join Mark W (@explorefinland), Rich (@escapetosuomi) and Mark H (@FCSuomi) for the first episode of a series, where 3 old blokes sit and talk about football. In Finland. Well, you have been warned!
We start this new series with a review of the 2015 Veikkausliiga season, discuss the Finnish National team's failure to qualify for Euro 2016 and why one Veikkausliiga manager went AWOL, only to turn up as a pundit on live TV.