Quiet time

This bloggster will be quiet until the next big event. Is Mexico City next?

Thoughts from Timo and Katie

The trip to the HWC in Paris gave us the opportunity to spend ten days with a fine group of young men who were chosen to represent Team Finland based on the successful changes in their lifestyles, and their efforts on the soccer pitch. It was gratifying to see and be a part of the friendship that the team developed both on and off the field. We were pleased and privileged to be part of the event and hope that all who traveled with us enjoyed the experience. It was a long tournament that went by ever so quickly. Now it is time to concentrate on other more important things, but we hope that soccer will remain part of the players lives wherever the future may take them. We hope that we have been able to contribute in some small positive way to their lives. Special thanks to Petri, Maukka, Edi, and Huli for their efforts, friendship and leadership.

Medal Time

Click to see the short video of Team Finland receives their medals in Paris

Final Player thoughts

Here are the final thoughts from Team Finland:
porukalla tassa kirjoitetaan. hieno viikko takana. osa porukast puhuu ranskaa jo aika sujuvasti.....koti ikavaa alkaa olemaan. paitoja on vaihdettu muiden joukkueiden kanssa. hostellilla on halinaa. kisat olivat mahtavat, hyva kuitenkin paasta kotiin. joukkue ei kertaakaan riidellyt keskenaan. ikuiset muistot jaa kaikille.joukkue kiittaa koko organisaatiota mahtavasta reissusta. t. laani, mikko, sami, marko, matti, tilly ja aki.

Final day of pictures from Paris

Our friend from the Philipines being interviewed

Canadian women rally before their game

Players signed each other's flags

Pregame entrance

Finland Romania

goalkeeping injuries

The Australian referee

Huli gets a yellow card!!

games shown on the big screen

can you find the Finns in the crowd?

Mexico arriving at the field for the final game against Scotland

The Mexican goalie was named Goalkeeper of the Tournament

Suomi on the big screen

Scotland celebrates victory over Mexico

Finland waiting to receive their medals

Recognition of Team Finland for place #42

The medal

Sunday game report

The Homeless Owls played Romania for the INSP Trophy and Romania proved to be a much stronger opponent and won the trophy 8 - 0. The game was closer than the score indicates, with Finland hitting the post numerous times and that combined with the Romanian outstanding goalkeeping resulted in the 8 - 0  defeat.
Overall the tournament has been an outstanding experience for the players.
In the final tally of goals, every player scored at least once with Mikko at 6, Marko R 1, Aki 7, Sami 5, Matti 9, Teemu 3 and Marko V leading the goalscoring with 11. Mikko, Marko R and Teemu shared the goalkeeping responsibilities.

Saturday game reports

There was a correction in what trophy Finland would play for. They will compete for the INSP Cup for places 41 - 48.  INSP is the International Network of Street Papers. We also feel that it represents INSPiration.

Saturday was a good day for the HWC Team Finland. In the pursuit of the INSP Cup they beat Spain 4 - 2 which qualified them for the semi-final. In the semi-final they faced Germany and beat them 6 - 2. The will play in the final for the INSP Cup on Sunday against Romania for place 41.

Teemu played in goal in place of the injured Marko R. The injury is not serious, but will keep him on the bench for the last game. In Saturday's matches, Marko V. scored five goals and had three assists, including a hat trick in the second half against Spain. The remaining goals were scored by Mikko, scoring one, and Aki and Matti each scoring two.

We are looking forward to a competitive game tomorrow against Romania.

Player point of view for Saturday

Thanks Mikko!
tanaan voitettiin espanja ja saksa ja paastiin meidan sarjan finaaliin!!  mahtava fiilis parin edellisen paivan jalkeen paastiin voiton makuun.. eilinen ilta vietettiin koko joukkueen kesken mista tuli hyva fiilis koko joukkuelle ja sen ansiosta varmaan pelikin kulki omalla tasolla.. tasta on hyva jatkaa huomiseen.

Saturday picture collection

Letting South Korea know that they should have been placed ahead of Team Finland

Players signing the flag for the US

Teemu ready to play in goal, with Marko injured

Team Finland - Team Spain

Team Finland - Team Germany

sky is looking good for our games

Post game comments on the second win

The shoes have been good on the turf of the fields. Thanks Pele

And then the clouds unleashed a good downpour

Team Italy found a way to the field during the rain

Birds wait for a crumb from the park coffee house

Blue skies again