The head coach of the USA praised Finland.
Beijing
Female lions fought gloriously but bowed to the United States in the Olympic semifinal readings 1–4.
Kivikova USA dominated the match and advanced to the finals, but Finland put it much tighter in the combs than in the opening match of the tournament, which Finland lost 2–5. The difference in play in that match was huge.
Head coach of the USA Joel Johnson was downright amazed at the transformation of the Lions.
“This was perhaps the best match in Finland in a long time,” Johnson said after the match.
Johnson compared Finland’s performance to the World Championships in 2019. At that time, Finland knocked out Canada in the semi-finals and was close to doing the same for the USA in the final.
“Finland was creative in the attack zone today. They were fast, confident and skillful. We had to put everything in the league, ”the US head coach praised.
When Johnson was asked how he would compare the performance of the Lions to the opening match of the tournament, the answer says a lot.
“They can’t even be compared. Finland was so good today. Their structures were okay and they had good tactics for the match. We had to rely on our defense and our goalkeeper game, ”he said.
In the finals, the USA will face Canada as usual.
The teams faced once, then Canada was better.
Nevertheless, Johnson outlined that the semi-final between the USA and Finland was the best match of the tournament to date.
“Very good hockey,” he summed up.
Johnson was aware of the turmoil of the Lions.
“Finland’s goodness was certainly explained by the fact that they were used to the new circumstances.”
“I know their coach [Pasi Mustonen] had to travel home. My best regards and prayers go to him and his family, ”Johnson said.
Pasi Mustonen had to leave Finland due to a health situation related to his family. The head coach of the female lions is now Juuso Toivola.
The female lions will face Switzerland in a bronze match on Wednesday.
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