WC hockey | Jukka Jalonen was hot in the umens of the World Cup arena

Ostrava

Sweden–Finland 2–1 and. (0–0, 0–0, 1–1, 1–0)

Thereto it ended on Thursday evening in Ostrava. Lions coach of all time Jukka Jalonen national team career. Sweden defeated Finland in a thriller-like quarter-final Joel Eriksson, too with an overtime goal 2–1.

After the match, Jalonen was like the sign of a storm. Not so much about the defeat that came with a brave fight, but about the events of extra time.

Sweden decided the match Konsta Helenius sitting on the ice. Helenius was whistled for a very open to interpretation hooking ice, which Jalonen did not digest.

After the match, Jalonen started his interview with a two-minute monologue. He said that right after the match he went to the referee’s spot and talked to the media about this “incomprehensible” dialogue.

“We showed the video. The referee observer is always on the side of the judges. Regardless of what happens on the ice. Nothing is ever admitted for mistakes,” Jalonen said.

“Clearly he looked two or three times, and not once did he hit the glove. Then he says it’s okay to blow the whistle because the ref thought it hit. They say the rule is that if you think you hit and it’s a mistake, you can blow the whistle!”

Jalonen was visibly hot for about half an hour after the end of the match.

“I said okay, what the hell. What can our player do? When it lifts the bat twice and doesn’t hit the glove, but the umpire thinks it does, even though it doesn’t. They say it’s not the judge’s mistake.”

“We just wanted you to say it was a mistake. There’s nothing you can do about it, but tell me now that it was a clear mistake and the judge saw it wrong. But no. Still not granted. They say there is a rule here that you can blow the wrong whistle. Absolutely incomprehensible.”

Finland got four two minutes in the quarter-finals, Sweden one. At least a couple of the Finnish glaciers seemed to be quite cheerful.

“It was light there. There were a couple of places where we should have gotten the upper hand as well. In that sense, we were a bit at the bottom.”

“I always remember whose ass someone is licking in the direction of the NHL. For real. Whether we’re wrong or not, but that’s how it feels sometimes,” Jalonen chirped, most obviously referring to the judges and in this case the Swedish NHL stars.

Self in the match, Finland was mainly on the defensive, but effectively kept Sweden away from dangerous goal posts. Rasmus Dahlin led Tre Kronor to a 1–0 lead in 55:02, but Hannes Björninen brought the Lions even further at 59:02 when Finland was playing without a goalkeeper.

“I am really proud of the team. We got out of the group what was available. I sensed in the morning that today we are ready to fight. The emotional side was also in the doldrums, and that’s why we did well against such a good team.”

“It wasn’t a perfect game, but a good one. Maybe that also brought a little more power when (Mikael) Granlund was missing. Everyone wanted to raise their own playing one step.”

Fresh after the loss, Jalonen couldn’t analyze the finished tournament of the Lions any further.

However, this year’s World Championships went badly for Finland in terms of results. Leijonat won only three of their eight matches. The final ranking of eighth is Finland’s worst since 1955.

After the fairytale golden spring of 2022, the Lions’ results collapsed. What’s more, under Jalonen, Finland didn’t beat any other big puck country. Losses came from these matches seven straight.

Was Finland’s game advantage caught up after spring 2022?

“Certainly in part. A team that wins something is always imitated. If you look at how Switzerland plays, they haven’t played trap at all before, for example. What many people hate. But that’s how he played today in the quarter-finals,” Jalonen said.

“Before, they came on like a public prosecutor, played themselves out and fooled around. Now they played for victory and won. By way of illustration.”

In last year’s and this year’s World Championships, it seemed that the opponents had learned to play smarter than before against Jalonen Leijon.

“I can’t directly say that there was a terrible difference. Of course, Switzerland also has a top team, for example. And because of that, three teams from our group are in the semi-finals. And we almost were.”

“Yes, the coaches look at how a team plays and what it does well. And a little copy them. So do we.”

Judging It hadn’t fully dawned on Jalose, who was in high spirits, that his incredible career as head coach of the Lions also ended on the night in Ostrava.

A head coaching career that brought three World Cup golds (2011, 2019, 2022) and an Olympic victory (2022) as the brightest crowns.

“Of course I know that, but here are the emotions on the surface after such a defeat. It’s sad that it hasn’t crashed like that yet.”

Next, the Lions move Antti Pennanen to the command. What kind of legacy will Jalone leave to his successor?

“Then someone else can decide what kind. I am proud and satisfied that we have created a good spirit and atmosphere in that group. We hope that it will continue in the future.”

What are you going to do first as an “unemployed” man?

Jalonen thought about his answer for a moment.

“If you say something, it’s in the headlines. You should think about whether you’re lying or telling the truth,” Jalonen grumbled and made the circle of journalists laugh at the end of his last interview.

“Yes, that’s for sure, you need to open one can of beer and take it a little more casually.”

“And of course thank the players. This was a great game from us. It’s really sad for the players. Yes, it digs. How long? Only time will tell,” Jalonen concluded.