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

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We don't have a top 4 talent pool of players. But in these short tournaments the level of players isn't everything. We usually have arguably the best tactics/coaching and top level goaltending. Combine that with stereotypical Finnish work ethic and two-way play and you have a pretty good team for a single elimination tournament that often wins teams that have better players but are behind in the other aspects.
 
I don't know why you'd think that. Everyone I know in Canada considers Finland to be a top hockey country.

Sweden
Russia
U.S.
Finland
Canada

Any of those 5 could emerge on top in any given tournament.

I'd have the Czechs and Slovaks below those 5. Then the rest.
 
I don't know that people disrespect the Finnish program, as much as they are surprised that they can do so well with so many important players out. It's a combination of that and that Finnish hockey is based on a physical defensive style that is more like NA hockey than European hockey.
 
Pi said:
Finland just a very boring style. I think that's how they play even with their top centers in the game.

I just hate boring hockey. I would even cheer for USA to win gold against Finland if it came to that.
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Sure, let's play up and down style of hockey and get beaten by Canada, Russia etc. The fact is we aren't nearly as talented as them. Rather go as far as we can in the tournament than entertain you.

And tbh, i thought Fin-Rus was the most entertaining game today. Lions always plays with heart and i don't know how anyone can dislike that.
 
weaponomega said:
I've always thought of Finland as just a notch below the elite teams, but maybe that will change with this Olympics and the past WJC.

How I've viewed the teams:


Canada
USA
Sweden
Russia

Finland
Czech Republic
Slovakia

Switzerland
Germany

Austria
Norway
Denmark
Latvia

With the tier below capable of beating one tier above them, but 99% of the time not 2 tiers above them.
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That's almost exactly how I see it as well
 
I think today was the end of Russia being considered the third or fourth best team. It's pretty clear there is a distinct top 4 and it's USA, Canada, Finland and Sweden.

Canada
USA
Sweden
Finland


Russia


Czech Republic
Slovakia


Switzerland

Austria

Germany

Latvia
Norway
Denmark
 
Onehitwonder said:
Well this is pretty much it. Its not a start. If you are talking about continuity even on best on best tournaments, there is not many nations better. Actually finland is the only country to have 3 medals in best on best olympics, and on their way of getting fourth. I mean what does finland have to do to prove it?
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Gold in Olympics or World Cup.

The thing is.. Why would we start caring about respect from casual hockey fans. They are usually clueless about everything.
 
Because they lack top-end talent players (except in goal).

They are the best at forming a TEAM however.
 
crowi said:
Link is broken, but I bet that is Määttä. You should give some love to Juice Jokinen too :(
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I wonder how you found that out :sarcasm:

Seriously, the Finns are a great example of a less skilled team playing great because they play like a team. If they get up against Canada again, I'd be willing to bet that they would win. I'm cheering for them to at least get the Silver. Vatanen, Maatta, Barkov, Armia, Ristolainen, Granlund...the Finns are loaded with young talent.

And I love JJ as well. Maatta's growth this year has just been huge, so to see where he is now (shutting down Ovechkin and Malkin in the Olympics) compared to where he was at the start of the season (about to get sent back to the OHL), it just makes me giddy. That's why I'm such a huge fan of Maatta. Jokinen has been good all season for the most part, and we knew before the season that he would be good. No one knew what would happen with Maatta.

I remember at the trade deadline last year, Flames and Pens fans agreed Maatta and a 1st for Iginla was fair. How times change.
 
Finland is very respected in the North America by the people who actually understand hockey. The fact that some posters on hfboards whined about how we played against Canada doesn't mean that Finland isn't respected in NA.
 
Onehitwonder said:
Well this is pretty much it. Its not a start. If you are talking about continuity even on best on best tournaments, there is not many nations better. Actually finland is the only country to have 3 medals in best on best olympics, and on their way of getting fourth. I mean what does finland have to do to prove it?
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If you read my earlier post you will see that I have much Love and respect for Team Finland.
 
Onehitwonder said:
Well this is pretty much it. Its not a start. If you are talking about continuity even on best on best tournaments, there is not many nations better. Actually finland is the only country to have 3 medals in best on best olympics, and on their way of getting fourth. I mean what does finland have to do to prove it?
Click to expand...

Finland was also the runner up at the last World Cup of Hockey.
I think most informed fans respect them. They probably need to win a best on best tournament to get respect from the more casual fans.
 
I surely look at Finland as a hockey power. Right there with Canada, USA, Sweden, Russia, and usually Czech Republic. Not surprised to see them in the final four at the least.
 
There is really only one thing you can do to earn the respect from all north americans and that is :
Let Sweden win easily on friday !
You HAVE to do that to earn their respect !
 
matsqq said:
There is really only one thing you can do to earn the respect from all north americans and that is :
Let Sweden win easily on friday !
You HAVE to do that to earn their respect !
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Yea this seems like a legit way, we should do it
 
Quite a many canadian in here cheers for Finland if they don't play against one another and I know many finnish people who cheers for Canada as their second option.

In Finland we can't cheer for Sweden because of our rivalry but I don't know why Canada is the next best option after our own national team???
 
I have nothing but the utmost respect for them. If only they weren't dealing with so many injuries, I think they'd make the gold medal round for sure... Hopefully they beat Sweden on Friday.
 
No one ever gives these guys a chance and it seems every time they're playing for a medal

Good for them, they play a great "team" game

Love that kid Olli even more :yo:
 
Most educated NA fans love the Finn's and their playing style. We respect you, don't worry. We just have a bit of a history with the Russians and tend to overlook you guys sometimes.
 
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