Will Roy take Finland to their first Championship?

Lots of new kids have been tried, but Kolkka still seems to stick with the national team.

If Finland gets into the next Euro Championship, youngsters will go to bigger clubs, and IMO Finland would then also made the World Championship, as there are few weaknesses (except an aging defense).


Who exactly are the guys to keep an eye on except Eremenko?
Is Pasanen up to the task as a right full back/centreback?
Do we have any capable wing backs?

Please post your wanted lineup from goalie to defense to midfield and attack ^^


GK: Jussi Jääskeläinen

DR: Pasanen
DL: ?
DC: Tihinen?
DC: Hyypiä
MR: ?
ML: ?
MC/DMC:Tainio
AMC: Eremenko
FC: Forssell
FC: Puustinen?

I haven't been following for a year or so, so I might be completly away on some choices.

Bob who?

Bob who?

Bob Barker, now come on down!!!!!

d'oh!

:banghead:

I mean Roy of course...

d'oh!

:banghead:

I mean Roy of course...

Aren't you in our group? which includes Serbia and Montenegro and Poland?. Good luck with that

Aren't you in our group? which includes Serbia and Montenegro and Poland?. Good luck with that

Finland beat Portugal (who was only lacking two top players me thinks) with 3-1 or something like that in a friendly a year or so ago...

Lots of new kids have been tried, but Kolkka still seems to stick with the national team.

If Finland gets into the next Euro Championship, youngsters will go to bigger clubs, and IMO Finland would then also made the World Championship, as there are few weaknesses (except an aging defense).


Who exactly are the guys to keep an eye on except Eremenko?
Is Pasanen up to the task as a right full back/centreback?
Do we have any capable wing backs?

Please post your wanted lineup from goalie to defense to midfield and attack ^^


GK: Jussi Jääskeläinen

DR: Pasanen
DL: ?
DC: Tihinen?
DC: Hyypiä
MR: ?
ML: ?
MC/DMC:Tainio
AMC: Eremenko
FC: Forssell
FC: Puustinen?

I haven't been following for a year or so, so I might be completly away on some choices.

I think our team might look pretty much like this, if Finland gets there.

Jussi Jääskeläinen (Bolton)
Peter Enckelman (Blackburn)
Mikko Kaven (TamU / ADO Den Haag)

Sami Hyypiä (Liverpool)
Hannu Tihinen (Fc Zurich)
Toni Kuivasto (Djurgårdens)
Petri Pasanen (Werder Bremen)
Toni Kallio (Molde IK)
Ari Nyman (Fc Inter)
Ville Taulo (Fc Lahti)

Jari Litmanen (Malmö)
Aleksei Eremenko (Fc Saturn)
Teemu Tainio (Tottenham)
Mika Väyrynen (PsV Eindhoven)
Joonas Kolkka (Feyenoord)
Aki Riihilahti (Fc Kaiserslautern)
Pekka Lagerblom (Fc Köln)
Teemu Turunen (Fc KooTeePee) (-1986)
Roman Eremenko (Udinese) (-1987) or Perparim Hetemaj (AEK Athen) (-1986)

Mikael Forssell (?????)
Shefki Kugi (Blackburn)
Juho Mäkelä (Hearts)
Paulus Roiha (ADO Den Haag)

(current team)

my line up:

--------------------Shefki Kugi-----------Mikael Forssell------------------

-----------------------------Jari Litmanen-------------------------------

----Aleksei Eremenko---------------------------------Mika Väyrynen----

-----------------------------Teemu Tainio---------------------------------

------------------Sami Hyypiä---------Hannu Tihinen-------------------

-----------Toni Kallio-------------------------------Petri Pasanen--------

--------------------------Jussi Jääskeläinen-------------------------------

Finland beat Portugal (who was only lacking two top players me thinks) with 3-1 or something like that in a friendly a year or so ago...

lol more then that my friend, it was before Scolari took over for Portugal. That loss was in 2002, I believe

lol more then that my friend, it was before Scoalr took over for Portugal. That loss was in 2002, I believe

You're right, it was in late March 2002 in Portugal and Finland won 4-1. That's the last time we've faced each other.

But in any case, the last results Finland's achieved against their future Euro Qualifying opponents do look promising:

Portugal - a 4-1 away victory in 2002
Poland - a 0-0 away draw in 2000
Serbia & Montenegro - a 3-0 home victory in 2003
Belgium - a 4-1 home victory in 2001

While we do need good luck to advance, this is as good a chance as any we've had in a long time.

And as for Joonas Kolkka, he's on the team simply because he's one of our best players right now. Feyenoord signing him is a good indicator of his current form, as was Kolkka being our MOM against Sweden a month ago.

Finland beat Portugal (who was only lacking two top players me thinks) with 3-1 or something like that in a friendly a year or so ago...
and Finland won Greece on Rehhagel's first match 5-1.

d'oh!

:banghead:

I mean Roy of course...

Well fix the title then.

I've no idea why anyone would think Roy Hodgson is going to be anything but total disaster. I will eat my shoe if he takes us to EC or WC.

I've no idea why anyone would think Roy Hodgson is going to be anything but total disaster. I will eat my shoe if he takes us to EC or WC.

I feel for you guys.Roy Hodgson = football dinosaur.

I've no idea why anyone would think Roy Hodgson is going to be anything but total disaster. I will eat my shoe if he takes us to EC or WC.

He`s a decent coach if you keep him away from the bars in Helsinki. Did a good job with Viking here in Stavanger

A tie against Portugal! With anyone except Ricardo in the goal for Portugal, it would've been a win for Finland...

Roy will lead us to Euro 2008!

:bow:

Fantastic away win against Poland and a good solid performance yesterday against Portugal. 4 points, 2 games.

Next 4 games should be easier and we have to get 12 points!

Football fever in Finland! :bow:

What's the deal with Alexei Eremenko, Jr. mouthing off about Finland in the Russian press?

Not that it would necessarily surprise me that he faces some flack for being Russian, but is it true what he says? Or is this another of those "they misquoted me" moments?

http://football.guardian.co.uk/breakingnews/feedstory/0,,-6059175,00.html

What's the deal with Alexei Eremenko, Jr. mouthing off about Finland in the Russian press?

Not that it would necessarily surprise me that he faces some flack for being Russian, but is it true what he says? Or is this another of those "they misquoted me" moments?

http://football.guardian.co.uk/breakingnews/feedstory/0,,-6059175,00.html

It was totally misquoted(reuters translated it all wrong). He basically did say things like "yeah I have been thinking couple of times how it would have been to represent Russia" and "I'm russian for some of my friends in Finland" and "Newspapers are giving me sometimes **** of nothing".

And personally I do understand that if you are getting so much **** as Ere have been getting in Finland that you sometimes how it would have been to represent Russia. And above that I would always think same if I would leave as a kid from my home country and then representing new country as adult. It doesn't mean you wouldn't like to represent new country or give 110% for them. That's what Eremenko told too.

Wow, Litmanen is STILL playing? How old is he? 90?

Wow, Litmanen is STILL playing? How old is he? 90?

35. When he is not injured and in decent shape he is still world class player. You can see very rarely vision like his.

35. When he is not injured and in decent shape he is still world class player. You can see very rarely vision like his.

Yeah. Litmanen's game has always been based on quick thinking, not quick movement. He was slow in his prime and he is even slower today. Doesn't matter that much when you have his brain and skill.

0-0 and only one point against Armenia :shakehead:

What went wrong? Or more importantly... What didn't go right?

0-0 and only one point against Armenia :shakehead:

What went wrong? Or more importantly... What didn't go right?

Finishing. Finland had more than enough chances, but only managed to score three times, and each time the referee had a good enough reason to disallow the goal.

And now we have Väyrynen, Johansson, Tainio and Eremenko Jr injured. Simply fabulous.

Finishing. Finland had more than enough chances, but only managed to score three times, and each time the referee had a good enough reason to disallow the goal.

And now we have Väyrynen, Johansson, Tainio and Eremenko Jr injured. Simply fabulous.

Do we have anyone healthy at any level higher than Veikkausliiga (or even VL for that sake!) who can score who's not already on the squad? >_<

Do we have anyone healthy at any level higher than Veikkausliiga (or even VL for that sake!) who can score who's not already on the squad? >_<

Antti Pohja, Daniel Sjölund and...umm...Hermanni Vuorinen? Roni Porokara could be a decent replacement on the wings, not sure about his finishing skills.

Antti Pohja, Daniel Sjölund and...umm...Hermanni Vuorinen? Roni Porokara could be a decent replacement on the wings, not sure about his finishing skills.

Can't we convert one of our many goalies into a striker? >_<

Can't we convert one of our many goalies into a striker? >_<

Sure. Anything's better than Kuqi. Enckelman and Niemi have both proven their finishing abilities, although Enckelman is mostly specialized in own goals.

Sure. Anything's better than Kuqi. Enckelman and Niemi have both proven their finishing abilities, although Enckelman is mostly specialized in own goals.

One of JJ and Niemi in the goal and the other to help Miklu in front ^^

And as for Joonas Kolkka, he's on the team simply because he's one of our best players right now. Feyenoord signing him is a good indicator of his current form.

Yup but don't forget he was transfer free because he's not on Feyenoord's level.

Feyenoord is in financial crisis.

Yup but don't forget he was transfer free because he's not on Feyenoord's level.

If Kolkka isn't good enough for Feyenoord why he is still playing, they still have more than 20players in squad, so if he would be so bad why would he play?

If Kolkka isn't good enough for Feyenoord why he is still playing, they still have more than 20players in squad, so if he would be so bad why would he play?Well as far as I know we're just 6 games into the season. :o

We should at least give him a chance.

Kolkka only played 4 games and got substituted twice.

Feyenoord can line-up a decent squad of 11 players but the level will drop significantly thereupon. Of course Kolkka is still usefull when speed is needed but don't expect huge things from him.

Nevertheless, in normal circumstances Kolkka won't be wearing a Feyenoord jersey but things aren't going too well in Rotterdam at the moment. Not to mention he already failed at PSV.

Highlights for those who missed the Armenia match:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fQENfuvw0Xc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RNziZxU0qBw

The 2nd one is shorter, but features Kuqi's amazing miss and Väyrynen's nasty face (he couldn't remember anything about the incident afterwards and was so messed up he had to be forced off the field to get treatment). :naughty:

Not a good game, which is understandable since the pitch was downright horrible.

Well as far as I know we're just 6 games into the season. :o

We should at least give him a chance.

Kolkka only played 4 games and got substituted twice.

Feyenoord can line-up a decent squad of 11 players but the level will drop significantly thereupon. Of course Kolkka is still usefull when speed is needed but don't expect huge things from him.

Nevertheless, in normal circumstances Kolkka won't be wearing a Feyenoord jersey but things aren't going too well in Rotterdam at the moment. Not to mention he already failed at PSV.

Well I haven't ever liked Kolkka too much. He only got speed in my eyes. But saying Feyenoord took him just because he was free and he wouldn't be too bad for Feyenoord is just taking it too far in my eyes. With his speed he can challenge most of the defs in dutch league I bet, but he can only play as winger in offensive role so he is quite one sided surely. But none of teams will take players just because they are free and they wouldn't be good enough in their eyes to play for their team that's sure.

Well I haven't ever liked Kolkka too much. He only got speed in my eyes. But saying Feyenoord took him just because he was free and he wouldn't be too bad for Feyenoord is just taking it too far in my eyes. With his speed he can challenge most of the defs in dutch league I bet, but he can only play as winger in offensive role so he is quite one sided surely. But none of teams will take players just because they are free and they wouldn't be good enough in their eyes to play for their team that's sure.
Kolkka wouldn't play for Feyenoord if he wouldn't have been transferfree. That's something totally different.

I'm sure Feyenoord hoped he would continue his good play from last season. He singlehandedly destroyed Feyenoord at home last year, that didn't help either.

He was a regular benchplayer with PSV, Panathinaikos, Crystal Palace and now with Feyenoord. 'Nuff said.

He was just a depth signing. No problem if they take a shot at him and that's why he only got an one season contract.

He was a regular benchplayer with PSV, Panathinaikos, Crystal Palace and now with Feyenoord. 'Nuff said.

He still played 77 games in 3 seasons in PSV, 26 in Palace(one season) and 45 in Panathinaikos(2 seasons). Surely he isn't big player, but saying he was regular benchplayer doesn't show it in right light. Or would you say ie. Robben is regular bench player? Or is it enough for regular benchplayer to be in bench time to time?

And yes, he is obviously depth signing, but first you stated as he wouldn't be good enough for being in Feyenoord at all.

He still played 77 games in 3 seasons in PSV, 26 in Palace(one season) and 45 in Panathinaikos(2 seasons). Surely he isn't big player, but saying he was regular benchplayer doesn't show it in right light. Or would you say ie. Robben is regular bench player? Or is it enough for regular benchplayer to be in bench time to time?

And yes, he is obviously depth signing, but first you stated as he wouldn't be good enough for being in Feyenoord at all.
I think you don't know how often he was a substitute by showing the number of games he played. I do know he failed at PSV and didn't bring much to the table apart from speed and a good cross from time to time. Let's be honest, Kolkka is a midtable player, something he showed with the teams he played for. I don't understand why this turns into a discussion. The facts are there.

There's a difference between getting benched at Chelsea or Feyenoord...

Of course he's not good enough for Feyenoord but next time I will be more clear and say he's not good enough for the starting lineup.

I hope he does well with Finland and that they will be present at Euro 2008.

I think you don't know how often he was a substitute by showing the number of games he played. I do know he failed at PSV and didn't bring much to the table apart from speed and a good cross from time to time. Let's be honest, Kolkka is a midtable player, something he showed with the teams he played for. I don't understand why this turns into a discussion. The facts are there.

Of course he's not good enough for Feyenoord but next time I will be more clear and say he's not good enough for the starting lineup.

You did answer it yourself. It only came up because you did say Kolkka wouldn't be good enough. If you would have said Kolkka is ok depth signing(or something like that) for Feyenoord I wouldn't have answered in the first place.

Kolkka assisted Finland's second goal today, so that's enough for me anyway :handclap:

So... With Litti out... Will we make it? Would we even make it if he wasn't out?

What ever happened to the likes of Roiha, etc?

So... With Litti out... Will we make it?

Litmanen is out for only that home game against Armenia! Comoon Armenia! Yes we didn't won Armenia last time but hey, Litti is 35y old. He cant be in that team forever.

Hopefully our midfield is ok. With Väyrynen-Heikkinen-Tainio we can easily beat Armenia and start next year at W3-D2-L0 situation...

EDIT:

Tainio, Riihilahti and Forssell are also definitely out...