Matti Härkönen, a seasoned sportscaster known for his expertise in football, has taken the audience by surprise at the ongoing Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics as he showcases his skills in curling commentary. The transition from football to curling is intriguing, especially considering the limited visibility curling has in Finland outside the Olympic Games. Härkönen expresses enthusiasm for this change, noting that both sports share strategic and tactical elements that engage his analytical mind.

In a recent interview, Härkönen revealed that he has always favored sports with a high number of variables, similar to his initial passion for football. Curling, although not typically associated with his background, fascinates him due to its complex history and connections to football, with both sports tracing their roots back to the British Isles. His passionate commentary is expected to bring more attention to curling, a sport that often lacks focus in Finnish sports media.

The decision to cover curling came about a year ago when Yle was evaluating its Olympic staff and realized it had not assigned a commentator for curling. Härkönen, eager to embrace the challenge, volunteered for the role despite not having narrated a curling game before this Olympic debut. His self-identified passion and willingness to explore new sports may help elevate the popularity of curling in Finland, traditionally overshadowed by other winter sports during the Games.