Finale day of competition

For their final game of the HWC Tournament Finland met Sweden again after finishing first in the qualifying group for the INSP trophy. Finland prevailed again by a score of 9-2 extending their winning streak to three games. Finland ended the tournament on a positive note, claiming Finland's first ever trophy in the Homeless World Cup. Player of the game was Anssi with two goals while Jesse was captain again. The team was the awarded the INSP Trophy, along with a plaque and individual medals.

Thank you to all the local fans who supported Suomi. They showed up every day to cheer for the guys. Finland has been a popular team with local people who often stop them to have pictures taken with them.

The Mexican organization has treated the team great. They even got another t-shirt yesterday. Many memories and many friends have been made.

I will be sharing the players stories once we return to Finland.

Thank you for following the blog.

Saturday competition

In pursuit of the Inspiration Cup, Finland faced first South Korea and then Sweden.

Captain Jesse lead the team onto the pitch for the opening game of the day. Finland finally got on the winning track by beating South Korea. The win guaranteed them the same ranking as Team Finland in Paris. Goals were scored by Janne T, Ilkke, and Janne K. The final score was 6-1.

In the second game of the day, Finland  and Sweden met for the first time in the HWC history. The game would determine the winner of the Inspiration Cup. The game was a typical contest between Finland and Sweden, with both teams playing in their typical national fashion. Ilkke scored five consecutive goals with Tuomas, Tommi, Janne T and Janne K each scoring one.  In the spirit of the HWC the teams joined together for a final photo amidst handshakes and hugs.

Luche libre

The tournament players were treated to an evening of Mexican wrestling. What a good show the wrestlers put on. These are the wrestlers that wear the shiny masks. Lots of good laughs.

Inspiration Cup

With two wins today, Saturday, Finland will be awarded the Inspiration Cup. Their wins today week over South Korea and Sweden. The team was actually treated to ice cream after the game and then headed back to the hotel for showers and an AA meeting, which they always include as of the tournament week.

Homelessness

We walk out of our hotel each morning on the way to this wonderful tournament where there are so many success stories, only to see that homelessness is only a step away. There is a woman with her two small children always in the same place by our hotel,begging. Across the street as the morning rush begins, a homeless man picks up his things from his night of sleeping on the street.  SOS many people to help all over the world, but if each one helps just one......

Thursday

Today we will face our good friends from the Philippines. Tonight the players will be treated to a trip to the amusement park! Don't think the blogger will join them. Hoping to post short introductions of the players starting today. Hope everyone is checking our Facebook page and the HWC website. There is a story on the HWC website about Jesse and later this week will be the interview with Maukka, Janne K,  and Tuomas.

From Anssi

This morning was quite hard because we had many hard days behind, but my mind was very positive. We were invited to the Finnish ambassador´s house in Palmas. It took us 1 hour to drive there. The traffic was something that we are not use to in Finland. It was nice to step on Finnish land in Mexico. The reception was very warm and easy going. I felt totally comfortable with ambassador Anne Lammila. She seem really interested about the Homeless football in Finland and Finnish system for drug and alcohol rehabilitation. The meeting with ambassador was very emotional when the players had a chance to talk about their past lives. After the reception we left to the venue and started to get ready for the game against Denmark. I think it was better game from us, but Denmark was a very good team. We lost 6-2. Second game against USA I had 3 good chances to make goal. Didn’t open my scoring yet, but there are 4 days left to fix that Finland! Still feeling good and this has been a awesome experience. We will continue with the famous Finnish “Sisu” and keep smiling.

Anssi

From Janne K

Terveisiä Meksikosta. Tänään pelattiin eilisen voittomatsin jälkeen kaksi tappiopeliä. Lukemat paremmille vastustajille Bosnia- Herzigovina ja Ukraina lukemin 10-2 ja 10-1. Maalierosta huolimatta päivä päättyi hyvään fiilikseen. Oma pelikuvio pyöri ja hitaan aamun jälkeen saatiin annettua pari hyvää maalia vastustajille ja otettua toinen puoliaika omiin nimiin Bosnia-Hertzegovina ottelussa. Näin ainakin nopean videokatsannon perusteella ja yleisössä olleiden Kanadalaisten palautteesta päätellen saatiin jotain hyvää aikaan :D  Saatin myös yleisöön kaksi suomen lippuja kantavaa fania, joilta saatiin jotain Los Muertos lahjoja. Knoppina lisättäköön että Los Muertos on kuuluisa paikallinen elävien kuolleiden juhla.  Suomen herrasmies-pelityyli on saanut selvää huomiota muiltakin kuin tuomareilta jotka jakelivat kehuja Unkarin ottelutaiston jälkeen. Aurinkoiseen kuumaan päivään hyvä suoritus koko jengiltä. Pannut on kestänyt koko poppoolla ja opaskin ( Valtin pelinaisia) väitti nauttivan seurastamme. Otetaan kehut vastaan ja nimmarisessioiden jälkeen alkaa allekirjoittaneen jäämiehenkin hymy lohkeamaan.

Janne

October 8 player thoughts

Yesterday was first cold day and that’s ok for finish players. Yesterday morning my knee was hurting, but after 2 painkillers it was good. Poland was a strong team and we didn’t have a chance. We keeping a team spirit, even we got beat pretty bad. We stayed in the venue and watch the game Mexico/Brazil. In my opinion they were better than the A Finish national team. At the night we had a NA meeting and there was people from Finland, Scotland and USA. Ready for a new game day and we have a new group. First game 12.10 against Cambodia. We promise to keep up good spirit and have fun!!!

Ilkka     

Sad computer

This blogger's computer has died so there will be limited information on the blog. Our Facebook page will still be updated, so please join us there.

From a player's point of view

You have met Jesse if you read the recent article in Helsingin Sanomat. Here is his view of the opening day of the Homeless World Cup:

Unbelievable feeling to be here. Opening ceremony was one of the most amazing things that I experience in my life. You could feel the Atmosphere and it felt like I was in the real World Cup. The game against Switzerland was really good and of course we were nervous about the first game. I felt ok about my own performance in the game, but I know that I can still improve a lot. The organizer has done great job and we are treated like kings! Also all the other players from all over the world has been so friendly and Mexican people are lovely.

Jesse

Parade Day Opening Ceremonies and FIRST GAME

The teams of the HWC gathered on the walking avenue preparing for the parade of nations. Performers were intermixed with the teams, clowns, stilt walkers, jumpers, jugglers, and unicycles. There must have been a million cameras in action as the teams sang their national songs and soccer songs. Then the firecrackers announced the beginning of the parade and the march began.

The parade circled the venue and as the teams approached the crowds cheered and the players entered the main field. Tommi and Janne represented Suomi carrying the flag and the national sign. The rest of the team headed to the reserved stands for the opening ceremonies. Once in the stands, there was plenty of action. Tournament t shirts were distributed and were a welcome source of shading their heads from the strong sun. ( Yes we are now using plenty of sunscreen.) Then the entertainment began with the traditional Mariachi band and dancers in traditional dress. A young entertainer then took the stage to sing some songs that all the players seemed to know. (this blog writer has no clue as to the songs). It was amazing to watch the players from all different countries singing along and dancing in the aisles. Finally the official speeches from the dignitaries from a UN representative to the Mayor of Mexico City to Mel Young the founder of the Homeless World Cup. The Mexican woman goalkeeper accepted the challenge of letting the dignitaries try to score a goal. Finally with fireworks in red green and white the games began. Mexico faced South Africa in a fast paced game. Finland made their way to the Gran Hotel for a delicious lunch and some cool air.

Game time was soon approaching, so it was back to the venue to dress for the game, find the practice field and then to the main stadium for Finland's first game of the tournament. The national anthems are played at the first game, the players greet each other and the refs and then the action begins. (As I am busy video taping the game I don't have any action shots this time) What a nervous first half! But then the guys realized that they could use some of the tactics they had been practicing and they were able to outscore  the Swiss team for a final score of 5 - 3. Hyvää Suomi! There were several Finnish flags spotted in the stands supporting our team, thanks!

Teotihuacan Pyramids

The teams were transported on a comfortable bus, traveling with Team Canada to the Teotihuacan pyramids. As they entered the pyramid area they found many vendors looking to sell them souvenirs "almost free". Of course they all managed to find something to buy from hats to noise makers to jewelry to glass pyramids. It was quite a long walk to get to the first of the big pyramids, the Sun, but along the way were all kinds of ancient structures,  more aggressive vendors and plenty of photo opportunities. There was plenty of activity around the Sun Pyramid as most all of the Homeless World Cup teams were there. Then it was time to climb the steps. I don't know if anyone counted how many steps we took to the top, but it was plenty. If you got to the top there was an absolutely amazing view of the surrounding countryside. It seems that the pollution that everyone mentions was at a pretty low level as we could see for miles. As the team wandered around the pyramids they talked with local people and players from other teams. Huli found many of his HWC friends and reignited those friendships.

After several hours of enjoying the historic area, the teams made their way to a restaurant where they were greeted with a catered lunch, entertainment and more opportunities to meet the other teams. The lunch was a never ending supply of a variety of Mexican cuisine and the entertainment included musicians and native dancers. With their appetites satisfied, their souvenirs in hand, the teams headed back to Mexico City.

Team Finland decided to check out the venue so they walked from the Hotel Fontan down the walking avenue directly to the venue. The walking avenue will be an interesting walk for them each day as there are plenty of people and plenty of stores. Workers were busy putting the finishing touches on all parts of the venue, but stopped to say hello as the players passed by. Several people stopped the team along the way to inquire as to who they were and what was happening and of course it meant another photo opportunity. I think we need to keep track of how many Finns they meet. Yesterday we met another of the guides who is working with the Ukrainian team, and then a young man approached them as they were gathered by the opening gate of the venue.

If the first day was any indication of how the rest of the tournament will be, I would say it will be awesome. The players are being treated first rate.