Finland celebrates their World Cup victory so euphorically

Together with 11 other spectators in the Nokia Arena, the 486-year-old gave in to the collective cheers after the 36-4 spectacle after extra time against Canada and a little later sang the national anthem loudly.

“Wearing the gold medal on your neck in your own arena is the best feeling ever,” said winning goal scorer Manninen after his goal in the seventh minute of extra time. Sweden last won the World Cup in front of their own fans in 2013. “I have no idea what happened. I just saw the goal and enjoyed the moment,” said defender Sami Vatanen. He wasn't the only one who knew that this would be the start of a long night: "We'll start with beer and then see how it ends." Finland finds the answer A year ago, Finland, the current ultimate in world ice hockey, lost the World Cup final against Canada in Riga, also after overtime. 15 Olympic champions from Beijing, reinforced with a few NHL stars, have now achieved their revenge - with a delay. The Finns had already felt like home world champions until 132 seconds before the end of regular time, before two late goals from the mentally strong Canadians raised doubts again. “I'm just empty. I really feel every emotion I have," Manninen continued after he used a controversial penalty against 27-time title holders Canada to score the winning goal on a pass from the outstanding Mikael Granlund.

Finland and Canada have met in the final four times in the last six World Cups. As in 2019, the Finns triumphed in their national sport. In addition to Manninen and the two-time final goalscorer Granlund, national coach Jukka Jalonen and captain Valterri Filppula can now feel like national heroes. After 2011 and 2019, Jalonen is now a three-time world champion coach, coach of the Olympic champions and has long enjoyed cult status.

Captain Filppula was also inducted into the elite “Triple Gold Club,” which is open to all players who have won at least one Stanley Cup, one Olympic gold medal and one World Cup trophy. Despite all the world-class players Finland has produced, the 38-year-old striker is the first Finn to do so.

Football

Italy

International leagues

International

Winter sports

Tennis

Other sports

Motorsport

Cycling

Watersports

Events

Favorites

Finland celebrates their World Cup victory so euphorically

The fourth World Cup triumph for Finland's ice hockey cracks couldn't have been more emotional. When Sakari Manninen shot the Olympic champion to the world championship title on Sunday evening in Tampere, there was no stopping Prime Minister Sanna Marin either.

Suggestions

Comments (0)