Pettynyt Tero Lehterä Naisleijonien romahduksesta: "F*cks me off"

MILANO.

The Women’s Lions were unable to perform at the expected level in the Milano-Cortina Olympics.

Beforehand, the Women’s Lions were expected to compete for the bronze medal. However, the journey ended in the quarter-finals against Switzerland.

– It’s incredibly frustrating. The ladies fought really well. In my opinion, as much as I can analyze the game here, we were a bit stuck on scoring. Throughout the tournament, head coach Tero Lehterä said after the game.

The Women’s Lions played five matches in the tournament, and in four of them, they did not score a goal. In total, the team scored only three goals in the entire competition.

– Of course, I take responsibility for the result, but scoring is an individual skill. It requires skill, determination, a bit of strength, and even some audacity. No excuses, Lehterä said.

– Finishing is an individual skill. It is practiced in everyday life and independently. If you look at Arto Javanainen and Jarkko Varvio to Patrik Laine, shooting has not been practiced in team training.

– We have succeeded well in scoring in a couple of tournaments. Now we didn’t succeed. I don’t know if it was because of that or because the teams here were more committed to defending their own goal. I don’t know, it’s really hard to say.

Finland also faced Switzerland in the group stage. At that time, the Women’s Lions were better with a score of 3-1.

– No [the game didn’t change] in any way. In the previous game against Switzerland, we scored a goal and it started rolling from there. Now we didn’t score, and that pressure or monster in our heads just grew. In some situations, it looked a bit like forced attempts. But as I said, they fought magnificently, Lehterä said.

Finally, Lehterä was asked for his assessment of his first season as head coach of the Women’s Lions.

– Let’s see if this was the first and last. The result is really disappointing. That’s part of this sport.

– This has been interesting. I won’t bother swearing anymore. Just put some strong words in there about how much it frustrates me.

Lehterä was also asked for clarification on whether he was referring to possible dismissals or his own thoughts when mentioning the first and last.

– Probably to whether I can continue. I haven’t thought about my own moods right now.

– If you can leave a mark on the field and give your all, what more can a coach ask for? You do your best with what you have. My head was pretty empty when the buzzer sounded.

Jaakko Perttilä
X: @JaakkoPerttila