The head coach of Austria had to visit the Finn again.
Juha Malinen reminds how difficult it is to get to the European Championships. AOP
Austrian national team coach for men under 21 Werner Gregoritsch rose to headlines last fall. At the time, Gregoritsch had access to the Little Potty players.
Emotions warmed up again when teams faced in the European Championship qualifiers in Austria last Friday. Finnish topper Ville Koski broke Junior Adamua at the side border. Gregoritsch bounced and shouted at Koski right in front of this nose.
Head coach Juha Malinen had to react again.
– It was a nice chat before the game. Then he tried to attack our player again. I thought I wasn’t going. I was already halfway there when I saw that the situation calmed down.
– However, we have talked about these things, and I feel that I could have handled the situation. I walked away a bit and saw as he looked at me timidly and waved his hand, Maline laughs at the episode.
Only Koski received a warning about the situation.
Not an easy way
Finland overthrew Austria after a sharp rise of 3–2. Now everything is in their own hands, when Azerbaijan will meet in Helsinki on Tuesday and Norway in Turku on Friday.
With two wins, Finland would certainly be in the European Championship qualifiers. If other games cross properly, even a direct European Championship venue is possible. The Games will be played next summer in Romania and Georgia.
– Level differences are slightly small. Someone thinks they could be much bigger than our losses. For example, Norwegian players receive responsibility in the big series on a weekly basis. The situation is that according to the Transfermark site, the opponent’s players are 20 times more expensive.
– Our players aren’t that bad. But we in Finland should also give our young players more responsibility early on.
Norway, which is one block ahead of Finland, is clearly the main resistance. In that match, the final rankings will be decided.
But first we should take care of Azerbaijan.
– Last time we played a draw. We were underweight, of course, but their passion surprised.
Malinen reminds how hard a trick it would be to get to the European Championships. The competition is being held for the 24th time, and only once have Finland and Norway been there.
– It’s not easy to go there. After all, the decision-makers will have to wonder if that is the only significant result for this team. Personally, I only claim a profit from each game. There must always be pressure, and there is one in this, too, Malinen says.
European Championship qualifiers: Finland U21 – Azerbaijan U21 on Tuesday at 16.00