Friday, 18 October 2024

Finland v England, Helsingin Olympiastadion, Helsinki, Finland

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 seven times:

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 ......


......then Karaoke time on the Highway to Hell tour 🔥🔥🔥After the main event it was a Kebab and bed, which didn't go to plan because we got locked out of the apartment at 0345 and had to call our fairy Godmother, 'Airi'. Thankfully she came to the rescue within the hour💝



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


View from the balcony


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


As we depart the rain comes in and mood drops


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 between 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 had Reindeer on a bed of potatoes and broccoli, washed down with a local beer


After lunch we headed off the main route onto an island called Lansi-Mustasaari which looked like a former barracks but which 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 ferry from Kauppatori Market Square coming into the main Jetty on Iso-Mustasaari


The Military Museum showcasing Finland's military history. In 1939 it fought a defensive war against the Soviet Union, followed by an offensive campaign known as the 'Continuation War', when together with Germany and other Axis Powers they fought the Soviets from 1941-44. The third war was the Lapland War against Germany in 1944-45. Following the Moscow Armistice treaty Germany was forced to leave Lapland via Norway but adopted a scorched earth policy, burning and destroying many villages


Border Force "Stop the boats"


Captain Hesketh of the Finnish Hussars


Last orders at the Linna bar before we head back out to sea 


The journey back to Kauppatori Market Square is brighter


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


Ticket collection was located at the very posh Helsinki Hilton Strand in the Kallio district


After collecting tickets we headed to the Olympic Stadium to watch Ice Hockey at the Ice Hall


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 


By the entrance we are greeted by a pair of Finnhorses, the only true traditional Finnish breed


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 Street in the Ullanlinna district to the Sea Horse, one of the finest Finnish restaurants in Helsinki. It opened for business 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💫


On the way back to Kaampi we passed the Angleterre..


...bumping 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 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, by adding 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 didn't 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 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 it is 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 and that is saying something!


Keisarinnankivi is known as 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. Erected on the spot where the imperial couple came ashore on 10 Jun 1833


At the Market Square in front of the "Olga" a traditional 1885 fishing boat. Today you can sample traditional salmon soup aboard it and it also has a full liquor licence


The regular ride on the Helsinki SkyWheel is 15 Eu but they also offer a SkySauna which you can book for 240 Eu per hour. Max capacity of the gondola is 5, but 10 others can sit in the hot tub in the private lounge. Bargain!


Time for a closer inspection of Helsinki Cathedral

 

On our visit we were fortunate to see Luke Jerram's 'Gaia', a 7 meter diameter globe. I had already seen it at Lincoln and Exeter cathedral but it is always impressive


Helsinki's Central Railway Station is an iconic art nouveau building famous for its clock tower and 2 pairs of lantern carriers that flank the sides of the main entrance


From central station we make our way by tram to Löyly Sauna


The sauna is an interesting building with three saunas and easy access to the Baltic Sea. The saunas include a 2 traditional wood burning saunas and a smoke sauna


Going for a swim in the Baltic on October 14 🥶🥶🥶


Steve does the Baltic - The Movie


What's good for the Goose


Team Photo


After the Sauna we had a slap up meal, almost like a Finnish Meze (Carelian Pie, Leipäjuusto (squeaky bread cheese), Salmon Soup, Reindeer and an Espresso Panna Cotta)


Day 5: Farewell to the Moomins

An early start for our 0800 flight back to London Heathrow, but we did manage to smuggle 'Ma Moomin' out of Finland


Farwell Helsinki and Moomin Valley, what a great trip
















































































































Finland v England, Helsingin Olympiastadion, Helsinki, Finland

13 Oct 2024 UEFA Nations League Group B2 Finland v England Helsinki Olympic Stadium Helsinki, Finland There was no official programme for th...