Jukka Jalonen feels that Switzerland is as tough an opponent as Russia, which is on the ice.
The finish line is looming Jukka Jalonen with a brave walk as the head coach of the Lions.
On Thursday, Jalonen’s 11th and last season as a national team pilot started. Switzerland was defeated quite easily with a score of 4–0.
Switzerland entered the EHT tournaments instead of Russia in 2022, and it has not necessarily been able to be as strong an opponent for Leijon as its eastern neighbor. However, Jalose has a bold opinion on the matter.
– Switzerland is a very tough team, just as good as Russia. You always have to pull against them with maximum power, and often we have lost.
How do you justify your opinion?
– Probably because they have as good players as Russia. Russia is no better than Switzerland. It’s really good that we got them involved in this, Jalonen says.
Doomed passes
Jukka Jalonen sees Switzerland as a team as good as Russia. Roni Lehti
The most interesting players of the Lions in the Karelian tournament have excelled in the League Kristian Vesalainen and Sami Niku. Jalonen saw room for improvement in their performances.
– Sometimes we could have played a little better with the puck. There were a few pointless pass attempts doomed to destruction. We need to improve that in general.
However, the weak passes did not lead to many goals for Switzerland, as the Lions defended as usual stoutly.
After last spring’s World Cup disappointment, Jalonen said that he brought some changes to the way the Lions play.
– At some point, they might start to appear. The basic templates are the same as before.
EHT tail?
Known as a strong defender of EHT tournaments, Jalonen has not changed his opinions, even though criticism towards EHT has increased greatly during his lion career.
– The games are very hard. Not everyone always understands that when talking about EHT hönts. It’s a hell of a long way from here when we start playing.
– The difference to series games is quite different, that’s just how it goes, Jalonen says.
This time, Leijonat is in the Karelian tournament with a fairly young team compared to previous years. In general, the best possible group of players in Europe is often assembled for this tournament.
– Systems are always changing a little. Here you have to think about the players, since they have a lot of games anyway, Jalonen justifies the change.