If the time was right, I don’t think they’d find that difficult and I’m not one of those who’d say, ‘Right. I’m not moving’.”In fact, his pride, which is considerable, hasn’t allowed Keegan to wait for that call. Which is just as well, because even the New FA would have probably prevaricated until the tabloid assault grew all the more cruel. Quite why we have waited until now for Keegan to pre-empt a decision the FA should have taken themselves three months ago, perhaps they will reveal.Keegan has left his employers with a task that nobody would envy, one that has been predominantly self-inflicted.. The woods which overlook the Olympiastadion underline that autumn arrives early in Helsinki. The deep shades of gold and rust on the leaves contrast vividly with the clean white lines of one of world sport’s most recognisable arenas.
The woods which overlook the Olympiastadion underline that autumn arrives early in Helsinki. The deep shades of gold and rust on the leaves contrast vividly with the clean white lines of one of world sport’s most recognisable arenas.
Unlike the trees, the stadium does not look a day older than it did when Emile Zatopek was pounding around its track to earn three gold medals at the 1952 Olympics. Looks are deceptive, though, and if England turn up here on Wednesday thinking it will be just another stroll in the park, then a country better known for its long-distance runners than its footballers may just make them go all the way.Even a World Cup qualifying tie will fail to change the fact that football trails in fifth in popularity behind ice hockey, motor sports, athletics and cross-country ski-ing in the hearts of the Finnish people.When you’ve got Mika Hakkinen, you can afford to be blase about the success of Sammi Hyypia. The statues in the park to Paavo Nurmi and Lasse Viren are also testimony to how Finland remembers its Olympic heroes, yet sitting in the shadow of the 72-metre Olympic tower is a new monument which proves football is making up ground.The Finnair Stadium may have only 11,000 seats but the new home of HJK Helsinki, which opened in June, is a state of the art ground which indicates how Nordic hearts have finally warmed to the beautiful game.The appearance is as stylish as its neighbour (“a majestic ocean liner, one of the finest contributions to architecture the Olympic movement has made,” declared stadium expert Simon Inglis), but did not forget to include the most important aspect.
Atmosphere.With a nod to England, the ubiquitous running track has been deposed by square ends. Beneath the sweeping roof hang giant heaters to ensure supporters never want to leave early. A large slice of the cost was underwritten by Finnair, highly appropriate since the airline is doing very well out of the new wave of footballers whom national coach Antti Murinen has to call home from every corner of Europe to play for Finland; Jari Litmanen from Barcelona, Joonas Kolkka from PSV Eindhoven, Hyypia, Jonatan Johansson, Mikael Forssell and others from the Premiership.One Englishman who has watched the Finnish football evolution is Keith Armstrong. The former Sunderland and Newcastle United player arrived there 16 years ago and never came home. As coach of FC Haka, Finnish champions for the last two seasons, Armstrong feels that the Finnair Stadium is a symbol for change. “It’s great finally to have a real football venue,” he smiles. “The Finnish public, generally, notice football much more now.
