1980 Finland Olympic Hockey Team Roster
The 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid, New York, were historic for many reasons, but perhaps none more so than the unexpected victory of the United States men's hockey team over the heavily favored Soviet Union. This game, known as the "Miracle on Ice," has been immortalized in sports lore and popular culture. But what many people overlook is the impressive performance of another underdog team: the 1980 Finland Olympic hockey team. Let's take a closer look at the roster that made up Finland's Olympic hockey team that year.
The Early Years of Finnish Hockey
Ice hockey has a long history in Finland, dating back to the early 20th century. The Finnish Ice Hockey Association was founded in 1927, and the national team competed in its first international tournament in 1938. However, it wasn't until the 1980s that the Finnish team began to make a name for itself on the world stage. Prior to that, the team had experienced some success in European championships, but had never won an Olympic medal.
The 1980 Finland Olympic Hockey Roster
The 1980 Finland Olympic hockey team was led by head coach Kalevi Numminen, a former player and coach for the Tampereen Ilves team in the Finnish Elite League. The team consisted of 20 players, including 18 skaters and two goaltenders. Here is a list of the players who represented Finland in the 1980 Winter Olympics:
- Jorma Valtonen (G)
- Jari Tamminen (G)
- Kari Jalonen (D)
- Kari Takko (D)
- Teppo Numminen (D)
- Pekka Marjamäki (D)
- Reijo Ruotsalainen (D)
- Alpo Suhonen (D)
- Esa Tikkanen (F)
- Ismo Lehkonen (F)
- Arto Javanainen (F)
- Jouko Salomäki (F)
- Raimo Helminen (F)
- Reijo Leppänen (F)
- Antti Leppänen (F)
- Veli-Pekka Ketola (F)
- Kari Eloranta (F)
- Jari Kurri (F)
- Markku Kiimalainen (F)
- Hannu Järvenpää (F)
The Miracle on Ice Upset
While the United States team's victory over the Soviet Union is well-known, the Finnish team's performance was also impressive. In the semi-final round, Finland defeated the Soviet Union 2-1 in a stunning upset. The Finnish team then went on to win the silver medal, losing to the United States in the final game. Veli-Pekka Ketola led the team in scoring, with six goals and four assists in six games.
Legacy of the 1980 Finland Olympic Hockey Team
The 1980 Finland Olympic hockey team's success helped establish Finland as a rising power in international hockey. The team's silver medal was the first Olympic medal in Finnish hockey history, and paved the way for future success. Since then, the Finnish team has won three more Olympic medals, including a gold medal in 1995, as well as numerous World Championship and European Championship titles.
In Conclusion
The 1980 Finland Olympic hockey team may not be as well-known as the United States team that won the gold medal that year, but their performance was just as impressive. Led by head coach Kalevi Numminen and captain Veli-Pekka Ketola, the team upset the heavily favored Soviet Union in the semi-final round, and went on to win the silver medal. The legacy of this team lives on in Finnish hockey history, as it helped establish Finland as a rising power in international hockey.