Timo Kunnari
Lauri Mikkola has led Nuoret Leijonat to the top four in the World Cup tournament twice in a row. The extension contract is deserved, writes Timo Kunnari from Ottawa.
Lauri Mikkola will continue at the helm of the under-20 national team next season. by Matt Zamboni
Finland was the biggest surprise of the under-20 hockey World Cup tournament. Before Christmas, very few people in the hockey world believed that Finland would go to the finals and win World Cup silver.
43-year-old head coach Lauri Mikkola got almost everything out of the team. In every game, Finland’s game was not beautiful and not necessarily salon-worthy, but in the value tournament the result is decisive.
Noret Leijonat scored a result. The biggest credit goes to Mikkola from Oulu, and of course to the entire coaching team.
Mikkola already took Finland to the semi-final stage a year ago, i.e. the top four teams. It was a bit missed by the hockey media and the fans, because Finland lost to the Czech Republic in the bronze medal game in Gothenburg.
Mikkola deserves more respect in Finnish hockey circles. World Cup silver is a tough thing. Last time the team was taken to the finals in this age group by one of the coaches, Antti Pennanen.
– We are very satisfied with Mikkola’s work. He has grown tremendously as a head coach, and also to the demands of international hockey, says Kimmo Oikarinen, general manager of the young national teams.
Mikkola has coached the under-20 national team for two seasons now.
The man’s contract will continue next season, confirmed Jääkieksoliito CEO Sami Kauhanen to Iltalehti.
