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Finland's status and reputation in the hockey world (merged)

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What is Finland's secret? Seeing as their individual players aren't even close to any of the other nations in the semi's, how can they perform this good in tournament after tournament?

Aside from a great goalie, how many players would for example make team Sweden?

None of the defencemen. Perhaps Granlund? Would Selanne make team Sweden had he been Swedish? Who else?

Just as a comparison. Tuomo Ruutu is in the line-up and he is considerably lower than Elias Lindholm on the depth chart (in Carolina) and Elias wasn't even close to make team Sweden.

And as for defencemen. Sami Vatanen is the best Finnish defenceman. He has spent a considerable part of this season either as a healthy scratch or down in the AHL. This while Hampus Lindholm has a sure spot and being one of the leading defencemen on the team - and he wasn't close to make team Sweden either?

How can they perform this good, it's like magic:)

Perhaps that Sisu really is magic!:handclap:
 
One NHL.com analyst predicted SWE-FIN final, and I've seen countless articles about how Finns can upset everyone. Who are these people not respecting Finland hockey team, that every article refers to?

Anyway, playing best v. best, Finland is not in the same level than CAN, USA, SWE and RUS when it comes to individual players. I still think we are in the "Pot 2" of the small hockey world. Still, very near the top with the best goalies and team play.

That makes our biggest achievements (Olympic medals and World Cup "silver") even greater. Although the Vancouver bronze was easy.
 
Cableguy said:
What is Finland's secret? Seeing as their individual players aren't even close to any of the other nations in the semi's, how can they perform this good in tournament after tournament?

Aside from a great goalie, how many players would for example make team Sweden?

None of the defencemen. Perhaps Granlund? Would Selanne make team Sweden had he been Swedish? Who else?

Just as a comparison. Tuomo Ruutu is in the line-up and he is considerably lower than Elias Lindholm on the depth chart (in Carolina) and Elias wasn't even close to make team Sweden.

And as for defencemen. Sami Vatanen is the best Finnish defenceman. He has spent a considerable part of this season either as a healthy scratch or down in the AHL. This while Hampus Lindholm has a sure spot and being one of the leading defencemen on the team - and he wasn't close to make team Sweden either?

How can they perform this good, it's like magic:)

Perhaps that Sisu really is magic!:handclap:
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"The whole is greater than the sum of its parts" - Aristotle
 
Who cares.

There is only one team which respect Finland need. Today that team is broken on the ice and sent to their homes.
 
Onehitwonder said:
I have followed lot of international hockey conversations here and in other places, and I always see this same story. Lot of north americans see finland as a mid class team. Similar to swiss or so. Then when I see europeans talking about finns (even swedes) they always consider finland as one of the favourites, an opponent that is to be feared. Why is this?
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As a Canadian you have my respect, the Finnish Flash is awesome and classy. Good luck against the Swedes.
 
As a Minnesotan, Finland is my go to team after the US. Hell, the Wild are a core of American and Finnish players. Of course I love Finland. I hope to see a USA v FIN final, would've been even better to see M. Koivu get to play. FIN would've been even more dangerous had Koivu, Filppula and Barkov been healthy.
 
In my circles of hockey-watching friends, they were viewed in that #5 slot behind (but still in the mix with) CAN/RUS/SWE/USA, but that's strictly because of a lack of potential game-breaking talent that those other rosters have (Russia would be my #4 but they've fallen to that slot over time and will likely continue to do so at this rate). I know from my perspective they were viewed as a "mid-class" team moreso in the WJHC, where they kind of dropped off going into the mid-00s and didn't really come back until this year, but that didn't apply so much to NHL-tier talent.
 
Finns are great, especially since they play in blue and white. Seriously though they've always been top 6 in my mind.
 
I've always viewed Finland in the same way I view Sweden; strong, cohesive teams that might not have the overall depth of some nations, but who are always a threat to finish with a medal.
 
If the Finns weren't viewed as underdogs in every *****ing game you wouldn't have nearly as much success. So stop whining about this "respect" stuff.
 
Finland does not get any respect before the fat lady sings.

And her name is Aretha Franklin.
 
Personally dont even care. We just go and play and give our best and win. Dont need outside praise or credit and it even suits us more to be underdog. Every finn thinks we can win any match at any tournament against any team at any level regardless what other world thinks.
 
HabFanInLeafLand said:
"The whole is greater than the sum of its parts" - Aristotle
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This.

And coaching + goaltending.

Put this three parts together with a best suited strategy (depending of the available material) is a pretty much concept of winning games.

Finland success does not have so much to do with defensive trapping style of game people wants to believe, any strategy would fit as good (only if players suitable for it). EW is not a special of trapping, neither are Finland players.

Thing is, Finnish hockey has awfully lot of players capable to 'follow', our juniors are learning at least much a team & discipline than individual skills, also most of the players were multi-athletes when young. This leads to us have a teams which have so much options to choose when giving a roles for players.

This leads to description of competitive, hive type of playing, with right kind of mentality it's hard to beat.
 
FiLe said:
This would be a splendid moment to dig into my QFT archive... nah.
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2 million finns dont tune theyre tvs and sit down to watch us loose certainly. they tune in because everytime lions are playing they think they can win. and the sport is good too.
 
I think Finland is a very strong hockey playing country. They have great speed and have had great goaltending for years. I also think their philosophy is not be playing a more wide open style, but I think they have the ability to do so; Canada/US type hockey...

I was not at all surprised they beat Russia today. Their style works for them so why change, but it's not the most entertaining hockey to watch though.
 
Madam Kadri said:
Not many North Americans are familiar with Finns outside of the Koivu borthers and Selanne unless the follow a NHL team that has specific not-as-popular Finns. Some Finnish players have Russian-sounding names, such as Komarov and Barkov, so to the ear, one would not guess they were Finns.
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This is basically it.

The Finns have a very good, well-balanced team, but they don't have a lot of individual player names that really stand out to people. Whereas the Russians have Ovechkin, Malkin, Kovalchuk, Datsyuk, and the Americans have Kessel, Kane, JVR, Kesler, Patches (many of whom play for Canadian teams).
 
I think most people see Canada, Russia, USA, and Sweden as the most elite. Usually in most tournaments it's one of those teams that wins. Every once and a while Finland and the Czech have a stacked team that can contest for top spot but a lot of the time they don't seem to have as much depth as the top 4 nations. I think that is why the Fins and Czechs get snubbed a little bit. They are always tough teams but I don't think too many people think they will win gold at most tournaments expect on those rare cycles.
 
QnebO said:
Because you never followed hockey.
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the finnish have always played the defensive trap to perfection. that is where all the other team learned it. I remember watching the Canada cups in the 80's, and the finnish played the same style back then
 
It's probably because Finland's firepower does not consist of flashy names or at least those that used to be flashy are old. Sure proved that way of thinking totally wrong today. :laugh: That 4th line was amazing, just so much energy and agitation. Not to mention how the Finnish team plays so well together. Also helps that all 3 Finnish goalies will probably be the starter on every other team not named the United States (maybe Canada, but I think Rask/Niemi/Lehtonen are a bit, if only just a bit, ahead of Price).
 
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