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

[FinRuutu]

Here, theres a Canadian seal of respect

Can we move on now?

 

[Canadiens Ghost]

Don't mind him. I can't speak for all Canadians, but pretty much every hockey fan I know see it like:

Canada
USA
Sweden
Finland
Russia

In no particular order

That order is pretty good actually.

 

[Eidyia]

I forgive you and all of Finland.

I hope we trap you to death in the final.

 

[Ari91]

After Canada, Finland is the team I cheer for so speaking for myself, I certainly respect them and acknowledge their place in hockey on an international level.

 

[Blue Line Turnover]

I always cheer for Finland after Canada's out. They usually play a style that is enjoyable to watch ( wave after wave of forecheckers hitting everything that is in sight).

 

[source]

I respect Finland as a team. Probably a top 5 team imho

This is what the OP is talking about. They are a "top 5 team".

 

[Dod93Cityt]

ive always considered finland the 5th best hockey nation if that helps

 

[Cawz]

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.

And the Finns and Czechs only seem to win when they play anti-hockey and hang on while riding a hot goalie. Until they actually start playing hockey, they wont be included with the big 4.

 

[Eidyia]

And the Finns and Czechs only seem to win when they play anti-hockey and hang on while riding a hot goalie. Until they actually start playing hockey, they wont be included with the big 4.

Now you're starting to sound like those sore losers Barcelona-fanboys.

"Boohoo, they don't play against us like we want them to, unfair "

 

[Cawz]

Now you're starting to sound like those sore losers Barcelona-fanboys.

"Boohoo, they don't play against us like we want them to, unfair "

We didnt lose to the Finns...

Hey, someone asked a question and I answered it.

 

[Brooklanders*]

Thats like saying Finland dont have young talents.

Its not that you don't have young talent just not enough young talent. Barkov? Granlunds? Some young Dmen in Vatanen? Its hard to get players when
Finland's population is so low.

 

[ProstheticConscience]

*shrug* I've got as much respect for Finland as a hockey power as I do for any other country (except my own, of course). Short tournament like this? They're always one of the teams that could go all the way, especially if Rask gets hot.

 

[Soundwave]

Oilers fans respect the Finns.

Bless your country for giving us the great Jari Kurri and Esa Tikkanen. I'll always have a soft spot for Finland especially with Kurri involved in their national program.

 

[Brooklanders*]

I respect Finland but in my mind Sweden will always reign supreme to Finland when it comes to hockey. Sweden>>>Finland

If the US get knocked out I usually root for Sweden. I always love and respect the way they play, awesome yellow uniforms, and new talent.
Finland I like as well.

 

[GeeoffBrown]

And the Finns and Czechs only seem to win when they play anti-hockey and hang on while riding a hot goalie. Until they actually start playing hockey, they wont be included with the big 4.

The Czechs won in Nagano because they had the two best players in the world. (AINEC)

Finland routinely finishes better than Russia in the tournaments. You'd have to ignore results to not put them in the top 4.

 

[Kranix]

I have a t-shirt with a map of Finland on it. Respect.

 

[bizzz*]

The Czechs won in Nagano because they had the two best players in the world. (AINEC)

Finland routinely finishes better than Russia in the tournaments. You'd have to ignore results to not put them in the top 4.

Finland beat Russia at the last WJHC, world championship, Eurotour and now at the Olympics. Finland is better than Russia at every level. And every Russian knows it.

 

[RussianRifle27]

 

[Ralfduran]

Clearly anyone can tell that Russia has more talent than Finland. But that is not what we are talking about. As a team, Finland has been top 4 for at least 10 years now. Russia has
also been in the top 4, but have been surpassed by USA the last couple of years. Canada and Sweden has been the two top nations.

It's settled.

 

[Habs Homer]

I had respect before the game, even after. I just have respect for the team, not the fans. Listening to you guys is like you got robbed when actually every time I stared at the TV it looked like you were on the PK, I actually had to look at the score to make sure Canada wasn't on power play that how's bad Finland puck possession was despite the scoreboard. In the GDT you cried and insulted the refs etc.

 

[bizzz*]

Clearly anyone can tell that Russia has more talent than Finland. But that is not what we are talking about. As a team, Finland have been top 4 for at least 10 years now. Russia has also been in the top 4, but have been passed by USA the last couple of years. We just need to look at the tournament history and it's settled.

Population of Finlad is twice less than population of Moscow. Off course they gonna have less talent... on offense. But if you look at defense or goaltending... I'd take Finland's depth any day.

 

[RorschachWJK]

Why does it matter? Actions speak louder than words. I don't give a **** about how the rest of the world sees Finland.

 

[fashi13]

From what I have read it seems most north Americans think it's either USA or Canada now . Sweden or Finland can get silver but no more .
They look at the rosters and want to trade them in for medals immediately. Fortunately it doesn't work that way.

Coming into this I thought Canada was the favorite, then the Swedes, after that I considered the the Finns, Russians, and the USA to be tied in 3rd. I looked at the Finns like the early 2000 ' s Devils; always great goaltending, super tough, great skating, and disciplined with enough offense to beat anyone. Coming into the Vancouver games I had the Finns and Russians ahead of the USA. Most Knowledgeable American fans I know have similar views. On a personal note I always pull for the Finns after the USA because Selanne is one of my favorite players and people of all time, and I just respect how tough they are and never beat themselves.....truly the embodiment of team. I loved Selanne's quote after the win against Russia today about the advantages of "not having 4 first lines" and everyone knowing and playing their roles for the betterment of the team.

 

[tony d]

Finland's playing awesome this tournmanent, them and Sweden is going to be a great game on Friday.

 

[Karate Johnson*]

I do not respect them at all, and if they play America on Sunday we will mop the floor with them.


Boom!