Finland's women's ice hockey team, known as the Naisleijonat, has suffered two consecutive losses in their opening matches, leaving players frustrated and struggling to find their footing.
The Finnish women's ice hockey team, the Naisleijonat, has begun its Olympic campaign poorly, suffering a 2-0 defeat against the Czech Republic in Milan, following a previous heavy loss of 5-0 to the USA. The team has failed to score a single goal in both of their opening matches, leading to increased pressure and disappointment among the players. Veteran player and alternate captain Ronja Savolainen expressed her frustration after the match, being openly critical of their performance, as she mentioned that they did not want to be in such a situation and labeled their game as 'crap.'
Moreover, the team's troubles have been compounded by health issues, with over half of the roster struck by norovirus, resulting in several players being sidelined. This challenging scenario has not only affected their physical performance on the ice but also their mental readiness as they prepare for a tough international tournament. Despite the poor results, Savolainen highlighted that there might be some positives to take from the games, indicating the need to shift focus and remain hopeful as they seek to regain their competitive edge.
Overall, this catastrophic start raises questions about the team's preparedness and strategy going into the Olympic tournament. With their next matches critical for any chance of recovery, the Naisleijonat must quickly rectify their tactics and morale to avoid further embarrassment and work towards making their Olympic dreams a reality.
