"If everyone is moving forward together, then success takes care of itself"

Currently I am sitting in the Helsinki airport, waiting for my next connection on my trip back to the USA! I am returning home for about 3 weeks to prepare for Max and Ebba’s visit to my house. J They will come and stay with us for a week and half before I fly back to Finland for the season. They are only coming for a short time so we have a lot to do and see...fast! I am excited to get back home and enjoy the summer weather they have been lucky enough to have already.

This past weekend we took a trip to Turku to play two games. Saturday we played against TPS, a team in the Naistenliiga.  After about a 6 hour drive and many bathroom breaks we arrived to the field. The field was in awful condition.  Although it was turf there were huge puddles down both sidelines. I think we showed up with a good mentality and everyone was ready to play and win despite the divisional difference. It was a good test to the team as we pared up well against them.  The final score was 0-0. Both teams demonstrated good play throughout and both had a few good chances. Their best chance was in the first half on a penalty kick; I dove to the correct side and made the save. Our best chance came towards the end of the match when Maya broke through on a breakaway; the keeper came out and was able to parry the ball away. It was good to see some of the younger players getting stuck into tackles and the confidence the team showed.

After the game we went back to our hotel, had dinner and tried to get to sleep at a reasonable hour. On Sunday we woke up, ate breakfast and headed off to our next game. We were playing against FC Rauma who are also in our division. The field was really nice and the sun was shining. The game started off pretty slow and you could tell fatigue had set in. Although we played a bit slow we were the better team. We held control of the ball almost the entire game and created many chances. The game ended 4-1. It was a good weekend overall and we were able to see where we are at and what we need to continue working on before the season kicks off.

Finland, Round 3

I arrived to Finland on February 28^th after about 15 hours of traveling. I made all of my connections and managed to not lose my luggage...success! Robert, Elis, Otto and Fred (manager) were there to pick me up at the airport. Juliana, the new Nigerian on our team also arrived at the same time. They took us by our practice to say hi to everyone and then I came back to the Astrom’s to settle in and get some food. Although we are 7 hours difference I managed to adjust to the time difference quite well.  It was so great to see the family again and it seemed as if I hadn’t even left! They are letting me stay in Ebba’s room for the time being (what a great sis)!

The temperature is a lot colder here then the weather we had been having back home! Overnight it has been in the single digits and hasn’t hit above 30 or so during the days. We have gotten a new turf field outside and therefore we train and play our games outside from now on!! They keep telling me it’s beautiful weather now and I am lucky I wasn’t here a few weeks ago, I agree! We played two training matches on Saturday. The first game was against the league team, ONS and we lost 2-0. Although they maybe were the better team we were able to get some very good looks on goal. After the game we met Mormor (the Astrom’s grandmother) for lunch at Rax. She invited her grandchildren + me to go for lunch to celebrate all the winter birthdays. It is an all you can eat pizza and ice cream place and was very good. In the evening we played the second match of the day against JYPK. We won the game 2-1. We played very well throughout the first 30 minutes of the match. There were some good things we can take away from the games on Saturday as well as some things we will work on for the future.

On Sunday, Robert took Ebba, Elis and I snowboarding and skiing at a small place nearby. The chairlift proved to be quite a challenge for me at first. You must put the bar in between your legs for it to pull you up; I think I fell at least three times before I succeeded. Ebba just got a new snowboard and was able to try it out for the first time at the real hill. She was so good already! Elis skied and he even went over the little jumps they had made! Afterwards we enjoyed a family size pizza and then headed home. That is what I’ve been up to in my first week back in Kokkola and I am excited for the season to get going.

It's the feeling of teamwork that you'll remember...

Last weekend our game was a bit of struggle. We have been hit with some injuries late in the season that caused us to change the formation and line-up.  While we went down a few goals in the first half, the second half we came out and didn’t give up.  We scored 2 late goals in the second half but we were unable to come out on top. The loss was tough to swallow because it now puts us out of the running for 1^st place.

We have only one game left on Saturday and although our position, we are going to give it everything we have. We want to end the season on a high note and play to the best of our abilities. We have had a good week of training and are ready to face a good team on their turf.  There is nothing left after Saturday so we need to leave everything on the pitch.

After the game on Saturday the team has arranged a sauna night. Sauna nights are not common or even existent back in the US. While it is a different experience, we have gotten used to it and they are a lot of fun! We will have games, sauna, swimming and of course some good food! On Sunday we will have a team dinner as Jackie, Kerstin and I are leaving early Monday morning. I cannot believe how fast the past six months have gone by.  I am thankful for everything I have learned, the people I have met and the different things I have been able to experience. I am so excited to get back home and see all of my family and friends, but things here will not be forgotten.  I am looking forward to spending time with the Astrom’s as well as my teammates this weekend.  Although I am not very good at good-bye’s I know this weekend will be a lot of fun!

"To achieve great things you have first to believe it."

This past Saturday we had an away game against JyPK. We previously lost the past 2 games against them this season and were seeking revenge. Coming off of what could have been our worst performance this season we were able to turn it all around. The game started off on the right foot. The energy, confidence and teamwork were present. From the kick off we were able to get a good look on goal and never looked back. About 20 minutes into the game Linda played Jackie a great ball; she was alone with the keeper out and was able to chip her perfectly. Before the half we put away two more great goals. After a counterattack on a corner I played the ball up to Tiia who went 2v1 to goal, when her shot was blocked Linda collected the rebound and placed a shot into the upper corner past the goalkeeper. The third goal came off a cross from Totti, as Jackie slid to tap it in, it hit the post! Jenna was there for the easy put back and we were up 3-0. JyPK didn’t give up and were able to put one away before the half came to a close. After I saved the initial shot off the crossbar, the forward beat me to the rebound for their only goal of the game.

Going into halftime we were up 3-1. In the locker room we discussed how we would need to manage the game and not give them any cheap chances. We did a fairly good job of this and kept them to only shots from distance. Tiia was putting on the pressure when she was able to intercept a pass and went in 1v1 with the keeper. She easily slotted the ball and we were up 4-1 and in a good position. We were able to bring many things away from the game today. We had many opportunities to score, the communication has improved and we worked well together as a team. Jackie my roommate was awarded the player of the game and she got some really nice cups for the apartment!


The win this past weekend was especially important because we are right where we want to be in the standings. Going into the final two games of the season we control our own destiny. The first place finisher of the season will rise to the league, and this is still within reach for our team. We have a goal set and each day we keep pushing ourselves towards that. While we know what lies ahead of us we need to be careful not to become too overconfident because that is when we play at our worst. We are going to go out there have fun and play our game, whatever happens, happens! We are off this weekend and will continue the series next Saturday with our final home game of the season.

Other things around Kokkola… the season is wrapping up and we only have 18 days left! So crazy how fast time has gone by, although I will miss everything and everyone here I am ready to get home and see my family and friends! Kerstin, Tessa and I took an ice bath in the Arctic Ocean the other day, lasted 10 minutes! We attended the opening of a new small turf field at one of the elementary schools. We played 5v5 agaisnt the kids and lost! Everyone was really excited and it was a fun opportunity.  After the game we signed some autographs for them. Media Café, the coffee shop we attend almost every day will be sad to see us leave. Us Americans probably spend the most time and money at this spot! This weekend I will be spending time with my second fam the Astrom’s and am looking forward to some time with them! Check back next week for another update!

Hejdå för nu!
Jamie

"Great teams work harder after a tough loss"

Saturday’s game was a tough one. We came out flat from the start and never improved. We didn’t play well together, passing was off, defending was bad and the morale of the team was not how it normally is. About 10 minutes into the game we went down 1-0 after Sport finished a breakaway. We went into the locker room down 1-0. We tried to figure out what was going on and snap out of it but the second half didn’t get much better.

In the second half the ref gave Sport a penalty kick. Although I dove to the correct side I was unable to get a hand on it and we went down 2-0. While the call was controversial there was some other plays made in the game that we got away with earlier. While it was clear we didn’t play to our potential, Sport took advantage of it and played the best I have seen them in the 3 previous games against them. With the loss we dropped to 2^nd place but the standings are so tight that anything is possible.

It’s a new day and now we need to come together as a team and continue working towards our goal. It’s important to not get hung up in what could have been and learn and forget about it while moving forward. We have 3 games remaining in the season and the team is working hard each day. We have a full week of training before our next match on Saturday. We will look to bounce back and prove that we belong in the top 2!

A special congrats to the Umass Lowell team for their recent tie against the #1 team in the country!  

Fit for the Fight

I apologize for not writing in so long. Things here have been going pretty well. We have played two away games the past two weeks and came away with 3 points in both games.  We are currently leading the series and are in a good position with 4 games left.

This past weekend we got up early and hopped on the train. Our game was in Lahti which is fairly close to Helsinki. The train ride was a little over 4 hours and we had 3 different trains to catch. We made it to the game in good time and the weather seemed to be clearing up a bit. It has been raining quite a bit. The field was in terrible condition but we didn’t let that effect us. We went up 1-0 about 5 minutes into the game. Linda noticed the keeper was off her line and had some space; she let one rip from about 40 yds out that found the back of the net. We possessed the ball well and had some quality chances throughout the first half but we were unable to capitalize.

In the second half the opposition was starting to build some momentum but we limited their attempts on goal. With 20 minutes remaining in the game they were able to execute. The ball slipped by the defender and the forward broke through 1v1. I was unable to save it and the game was tied. With 3 minutes remaining in the game our coach told Heddi to calm down that he would be satisfied with 1 point, she turned around and yelled no way were getting the 3 points!! Seconds after that she received the ball and lofted in a cross that hit the far post and into the net. We played out the last minute or so and finished the game 2-1. It was an exciting game that showed our confidence and will to win. After giving up a crap goal we were able to come back and win the game.

We have grown tremendously as a team and we are taking it one day at a time. We have a goal in mind and it is up to us to obtain it. Saturday we play FC sport at home. We know it will be a challenging game but we are fit for the fight!

As far as other things that have been going on in Kokkola… My little bro Elis won the 60m in a track meet with the elementary schools today! GO ELIS!! I experienced my first parking ticket. If they are going to fine me, I will need the sign in English next time! We have a new American here playing with the other ladies team in town. Americans are taking over Kokkola! We had a great week with Kerstin’s parents who provided us with a lot of laughs and some funny memories. We only have a short time left in Finland so check back soon to see what else is going on!

Ut med domaren och in med Nalle Puh

The upper-series began on Saturday when we played Tu-We at home. It was the first time this season we have played Tu-We but we were ready. The past two weeks we have been training hard to prepare us for our final 7 games. We began controlling the game early and creating a few good chances. About 40 minutes in we capitalized. Linda’s half volley beat the keeper and fell just below the bar. Only minutes later Totti collected her rebound and calmly put back. Going into half-time we were up 2-0. 
In the beginning of the second half we had a few good chances that we were unable to score off of. Tu-We was awarded a free kick near the corner flag. When I came out and parried the ball away, I then saw no one near the rebound, I came out and collected the ball. A Tu-We player challenged me late on the play and fell over me. After I already had secured the ball in my hands. The referee called a penalty kick!! This was the most absurd call I have ever faced.  I don’t usually get involved with the referees but this had me furious! There was still about 20 minutes left to play and he could change the game like that. I normally would understand if I made a dangerous play and legit did something wrong but Saturday there was no ifs, ands, or buts about it. I flat out made the save and the ref was blind! They converted the penalty kick and the game was now 2-1. The game played out and we finished 2-1.

 
There were many things that we could take away from the game. At times we played really good football. The team’s energy and confidence levels were up. We will go into this week’s training hard and look forward to our next match in Helsinki this Saturday. Our goal is within reach and we are taking it one game at a time!
P.S the title is a song my finnish mom taught me to cheer at games when the ref makes a bad call!

Hejdå för nu!

Jamie