During Pasi Mustonen, the position of the Women’s Lions established itself as the best national team outside of North America.
Beijing
Finland the women’s hockey national team has hit two episodes throughout its history that few want to remember. In 2005-07 and 2012–14, the Lions played three value races in a row in each period without achieving a medal.
Pasi Mustonen as an assistant Juuso Toivola started at the helm of the national team after the 2014 Sochi Olympics. Under the command of Mustonen and Toivola, the national team slipped off the medal track only in the 2016 World Championships and established its position as the number one country after Canada and the United States.
The period of the two Olympics, which culminated in Beijing on Wednesday night, ended in a bronze joy as the Lions covered Switzerland 4-0. Mustonen was not there to witness it, as he traveled home from Beijing after the first match for family reasons.
“The domestic camp went well, but the start of the tournament was difficult. Pasi had to leave,” Toivola began unpacking at the press conference.
Then he took a breath.
“At this point, I want to thank Pasi for eight years. I have learned and grown into this box and role. I have learned a lot and there have been many steps that have taken this process forward. Full respect for Pas’s work for the Lions,” Toivola continued.
Earlier, the Finnish Hockey Association named Toivola its predecessor a successor, but the change had to take place only after the season.
Female lions the start of the tournament was difficult, but Toivola followed a familiar pattern from his and Mustonen’s period. The semi-finals went well and Finland managed to play in the medal in the seventh value race in a row.
The only stain in the series was Russia’s six-year-old bronze medal match. By the way, Finland took the medal for all the value competitions for which the teachings of Mustonen and Toivola had been prepared. The World Championships silver 2019, the Olympic bronzes 2018 and 2022 and the World Championships bronzes 2015, 2017 and 2021 were won in the value competitions.
For example, winning an Olympic medal from two games in a row was a historic ploy for the Lions. Mustonen and Toivola also managed to take the Female Lions to the World Cup final for the first time. It was a success at home races three years ago.
11 Olympic debutants played in the Olympics, so the importance of experienced players in difficult times was emphasized. Toivola knew his player, so he and his coaching team were able to restore the players’ focus on the Olympics, although worries about Mustonen’s situation certainly weighed down.
“It all happened quickly. Talking helped. In the Canadian and Swiss matches in the first round [tappiot 1–11 ja 2–3] the players showed concern, but we practiced well all the time. That too helped. In the match against Russia [5–0-voitto] there was a strong feeling that nothing can stop us, ”Toivola repeated in the international section of the press conference.
Japan took home a 7-1 semi-final trip, but the stop came from a familiar address. Following the 5-2 victory in the first round, the United States was 4-1 stronger in the semi-finals. The female lions still played their best match in the semifinals. In the bronze match, patience was enough to defeat Switzerland.
“Initial was awkward, and the thing [Mustosen lähtö] came quickly after the first game. We had the options of acknowledging the situation, going through it openly, practicing and sweating, which is why we are here. ”
“We encountered the fact that this has happened and together we decided to go ahead and finish the great story. It’s great that this is how it ended,” Toivola emphasized and thanked the players and the team’s management team.
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