Following a painful 4-1 defeat to Slovakia in the Olympic opener, Finnish politicians, including former minister Ville Niinistö, have openly criticized head coach Antti Pennanen. The defeat has led to widespread disappointment in Finland, with many citizens expressing frustration on social media. Niinistö stated that the coaching did not appear successful in previous tournaments, and this trend continued with the recent game, suggesting a need for accountability in the coaching staff's performance.

Niinistö highlighted specific tactical failures during the match, noting that while Finland showed some promise for two periods, they lost grip in the third period. He attributed this collapse to a lack of proper coaching responses, leading to disorganized play and reliance on individual efforts rather than team strategy. The comments reflect a broader sentiment of questioning the effectiveness of the coaching methods under Pennanen, especially following high expectations for the team.

This criticism not only underscores the high stakes associated with national sports representation but also indicates the involvement of political figures in public discourse on sports performance. As citizens cling to their national pride, the coaching strategy and decisions become pivotal topics of discussion, showing how interconnected sports and politics can be in Finland, particularly during significant international competitions.