Credit defender Juuso Hietanen was involved in 2014, when Finland bowed to Latvia at the World Cup. According to Hietanen, the Lions will be ready on Saturday to prevent a similar accident at work.
One of the most humiliating value losses of the lions in recent years was seen at the 2014 World Championships in Minsk, Belarus, when Latvia bellied in the Finnish Premier League match 3–2.
– There are no memories of that game, but I remember that it went tight with the defeat. It was not a matter of course to move on. The result was good after the last game, he commented Juuso Hietanen.
He, Atte Ohtamaa and Jere Sallinen were in the box at the World Cup in Tampere seven years ago in Belarus.
Finland’s place in the semi-finals depended on the hair, but in the end the Lions advanced to the final. In the judges’ final, Russia finally overthrew Finland.
“Really difficult game”
I saw at the 2014 World Championships in Minsk: Latvia celebrated, Finland was disappointed. Pasi Liesimaa
As Hietanen’s memoirs are thin, the events in Minsk are repeated from stories found in Iltalehti’s archives.
According to reports, Finland played undisciplined and begged for difficulties, even though it led the match 2–1. In the third installment Petri Kontiola sat for two minutes in the cool when Kristaps Sotnieks leveled the match. Then Veli-Matti Savinainen took the ice. By force majeure Arturs Kulda settled the match.
– They played with fire for a little too long. Really difficult game. We didn’t get up to speed and it felt like we only started playing after Latvia’s lead. It will be pretty much better if there is anything to be done in this tournament, Lions Mill Pekka Rinne said.
“Strong guys”
Latvia won the Finnish World Championships 3–2 in 2014. Pasi Liesimaa
The Finns snoozed in the auditorium and trough at the 2014 World Cup in Latvia. Pasi Liesimaa
Let’s return to Tampere.
Latvia, which lost 1–4 to the USA in the opening match on Friday, will skate against Finland in the event starting at 8.20 pm on Saturday.
– Tough game is coming. Latvia is a wrestling team. We have to play well if we want to win. A good end was reached yesterday against Norway, so let’s continue, Hietanen says.
A year ago in Riga, Finland won the World Championships 3–2 in overtime. At the Beijing Olympics, the Lions won 3-1.
– There are memories of the Beijing game. It was a tight twist, so let’s get serious about doing it on Saturday. Latvia has strong and very mobile guys. Many have played at KHL for a long time. A good team is up against it.
Hietanen, who turns 37 in the summer, is already playing in his eighth World Championship tournament. He was first involved in 2010 in Cologne. There are three Olympic tournaments: Sochi 2014, South Korea 2018 and China 2022.
– Profits motivate. When there is a chance to win gold, I look forward to joining. There are not too many profits to come.
Juuso Hietanen is a long-time defender of the Lions. Jami Ivanoff / All Over Press