13 Oct 2024
UEFA Nations League Group B2
Finland v England
Helsinki Olympic Stadium
Helsinki, Finland
There was no official programme for this Group B UEFA Nations league fixture but this is an official poster design. The caption in Finnish reads "Stars of the stadium". The last time we played here was in October 2000 in a 0:0 draw, although we have played in this stadium on 7 previous occasions:
20 May 1956, Finland 1 England 5 (Friendly)
26 Jun 1966, Finland 0 England 3 (Friendly)
13 Jun 1976, Finland 1 England 4 (WCQ)
3 Jun 1982, Finland 1 England 4 (Friendly)
22 May 1985, Finland 1 England 1 (WCQ)
3 Jun 1992, Finland 1 England 2 (Friendly)
11 Oct 2000, Finland 0 England 0 (WCQ)
ESTC tickets for this game were in ridiculously high demand, with 7,779 members registering interest and there being a final allocation of only 1,644. There was no additional allocation as the Finnish FA had sold out the stadium weeks ago. The cap cut off for a guaranteed ticket (top 70%) was 29, with those on 28 being entered into the mini ballot. As a top capper on 30 caps I was guaranteed a ticket, although unfortunately Sue on 26 caps didn't make the cut but she still came out for the jolly. Tickets were priced at £42
A bumper capacity of 32, 000 was to cram into the all seater stadium located in the Töölö district about 2.3 Km from the city centre. The stadium was built for the 1940 Olympics but due to WWII it had to wait until 1952 before it hosted the Summer Olympics. It is home to the Finnish national team and since Mar 2007 an Eurasian Eagle-Owl has been spotted living in and around the stadium. On Jun 6 2007, during a Euro 08 qualifier v Belgium, the owl flew down and perched on a goal post delaying the match by 10 mins. Finland won the match 2:0 and the Owl became a star. It was christened "Bubi" and named as Helsinki's resident of the year. Since then the Finnish team have been called "Huuhkajat" (The Eagle Owls).
The outside of the stadium is impressive, just wish the Olympic Tower had been open during our stay. It is 72 metres high and was used as a watch tower in the war against the Soviet Union. Sentries were only allowed to spend a max of 30 minutes at the top due to extreme cold.
Anthony Gordon is on the front cover of Edition 193 after rising through the U21 ranks to become a starter in the senior team
Finland 1 England 3
Attendance: 32,000
Day 1: Arrival and Karaoke
After our afternoon departure on Finnair flight AY1336 from Heathrow at 1610 we arrived bang on time in Helsinki at 2100. Our taxi driver and host, Airi met us and took us home
A quick turn around and we were straight down to 'Bar Ihku' one of the top Karaoke clubs in Helsinki. The 10 Euros entrance fee proved money well spent
After a few pints of Karhu.....
.......a couple of Long Drinks (Finnish drink similar to a Smirnoff ice).......
Day 2 - Suomenlinna Fortress and the Ice Hockey
The apartment was located on 6th floor at 38 Malminkatu in the lively district of Kamppi
The main living area consists of a balcony, TV lounge, kitchen, impressive sky light and a Wattbike
Sue discovering that the Moomins are from Finland
Our first adventure, catching the ferry from Helsinki's Market Square (Kauppatori) to the 4 islands of Suomenlinna Fortress
The view out to sea from the South Harbour to the Tallin Ferry
Making sure she is first on the lifeboat
Arriving at the Main Jetty and behind us is the Restaurant and brewery ' Suomenlinnan Panimo' located in the former Russian Barracks built 1868-70
The hand pulls available from the brewery are really good with plenty of choice: Helsinki Porter (5.5%), Gyllenborg West Coast IPA (6 %), Piper Wit (4.7%), Harvest Moon Ale (5.0%), Sparre American Pale Ale (5.0%) and Hopken Pils (5.0%)
For lunch we settled for Reindeer on a bed of potatoes and broccoli washed down with a Piper Wit (a wheat beer)
After luch we headed off the main route onto an island called Lansi-Mustasaari which looks like a former barracks but could now be an orphanage
On its battlements were 76mm Boffors Anti Aircraft Guns used in WWII and Sue was really taking this bit seriously
Other big cannons, this one is an 11inch monster from the Russian Imperial period
The Military Museum showcasing Finland's very unique military history. In 1939 it fought a defensive war against the Soviet Union, followed by an offensive 'Continuation War' after collaborating with Germany and other Axis Powers against the Soviet Union from 1941-44. The third war was the Lapland War against Germany in 1944-45 following the Moscow Armistice treaty. Before the Germans retreated through Norway they operated a scorched earth policy, burning and destroying many villages on their way
Border Force "Stop the boats"
Captain Hesketh of the Finnish Hussars
Last orders at the Linna bar before we head back out to sea
Helsinki Cathedral on Senate square was built between1830-1852. Alexander I, Emperor of Russia and Grand Duke of Finland (1809-25) decreed that it would be built after Helsinki became the capital of Finland in 1814.
The cathedral was built as a tribute to the Grand Duke of Finland, Emperor Nicholas I of Russia seen in the foreground
Ticket collection was located at the very posh Helsinki Hilton Strand in the Kallio district
After collecting tickets we headed to the Olympic Stadium, not for football but for Finland's national sport, Ice Hockey
Helsinki Ice Hall (Nordis) has been home to HIFK since 1966 but it also has another Tennent, Jokerit who have played here since the Russian invasion of Ukraine due to their previous stadium (Hartwall Arena) being under Russian ownership and being prohibited in trading
Just by the entrance we are greeted by a pair of Finnhorses, the only traditional breed of horse developed in Finland.
This evening's game is a top of the table clash in the Finnish elite league, 'Liiga' between HIFK and ilves Tampere. we have great seats and are even treated to a complimentary scarf
Settling down to some carefree entertainment
A capacity crowd of 8,200 and not a spare seat anywhere
There are 4 intervals (quarters) and the first three of them demand a beer or wine stop
3:0 up with 9 mins to play in the 4th
HIFK win 4:0 and our shared love of ice Hockey has been born
Nordis - Helsinki Ice Hall
After the game we headed to Kapteeninkatu to one of the best Finnish restaurants in Helsinki, The Sea Horse opened in 1933 and became a Finnish institution
A bottle of Ricossa Barbera d'asti DOCG at 56 Euro
After my Salmon Soup starter I had Pike Perch with mushroom sauce and dill potatoes. Outstanding!
On the way back to Kaampi we passed the Angleterre..
...and bumped into Lee Thomson
On arrival back at the apartment the sauna lights were beckoning us in 💦💦💦
Day 3: Matchday and the Church in the Rock
Today was to be some light tourism followed by the match. Here is Sue outside the famous Church of the Rock, the world renown Temppeliaukio Church in the Töölö district
The church is built directly into solid rock and took one year to construct after it first opened its doors in 1969
There are no bells in the church and it has an ice age crevice that is used as the alter
The church has about half a million people visit it every year
The Sibelius Monument is dedicated to the Finnish composer Jean Sibelius (1865-1957). It was sculptured by Eila Hiltunen
The sculpture's artist responded to her critiques who said the pipe sculpture did not reflect the composer's musical work, so she added the face of the composer to the monument.
We navigated our way via the public transport network from Sibelius Park to Sörnäinen to hit our first target pre-match pub
Hilpeä Hauki (Hilarious Pike) after much research was my main target pub. It is part of a Helsinki chain of Beer and Fish restaurants. This one is located in a scruffy suburb of Helsinki called Harju (Ridge). it offered a good variation of ales, lagers and ciders but sadly we did not get to taste the fish
Long Eaton Steve and T joined us and brought some of their mates (Cov Steve and Fulham Glen the Red). Villa also in attendance but DCFC in the majority
At the outer gate to Helsinki's impressive Olympic Stadium
Rams on tour
T bombing my selfie with the Finnish steward
Into the inner perimeter and the Eagle owl is lit up
Helsinki Police Department seem chilled enough
T finally breaches the away gate
Bish
GSTK
Follow England Away
The stairwells are all blocked by lazy arsed England fans, so we meander to the top of B Block for the KO. A very impressive stadium
ESTC in the SW Corner of Block B in the South Stand
After collecting Sue from the Aussie Bar we get an Uber to the Brewster Bar in Kallio to meet the usual suspects. Not a bad shout at 4.50 EU a beer. Thanks Lee T and Rob Lindsey
Day 4: Market Square and the Finnish Sauna
Market Square for brunch and it has to be the Seafood Mix
It just so happens to be the best salmon that Sue has ever tasted. TBH the food here has been excellent
Keisarinnankivi is the "Stone of the Empress" and is the oldest public monument in Helsinki. It commemorates the visit to Helsinki of Empress Alexander Feodorovna, wife of Nicholas I, Emperor of Russia. It was erected on the spot where the imperial couple came ashore on 10 June 1833
Day 5: Farewell to the Moomins
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