Will runner-up Finland have a successful start to the Olympics?

Finland is also hit hard by the NHL’s decision. The runner-up in the world championship will have to do without many key players and will therefore start the Winter Olympics in Beijing weakened. The group phase starts for the Finnish national ice hockey team with the compulsory task against Slovakia.

Although Finland starts the Olympic tournament without NHL stars, the runner-up in the world championship is still considered stronger than its group rival from Slovakia. The last time the two nations met, there was a clear victory for Finland in the 2019 World Cup.

If the “Leijonat” win again, betting odds of up to 1.40 are paid out for Finland vs. Slovakia for tip 1. Almost two months ago, the Finnish national ice hockey team gained a lot of self-confidence in the Channel One Cup and won three international matches in a row.

It is quite possible that the winning streak, which also included defeating the reigning world champions from Canada, will continue against Slovakia. This is supported not only by the Finns’ recent form curve, but also by Slovakia’s recent Olympic record.

Finland – Statistics & current form

Finland are the big favourites in Group C even without stars from the NHL and are nevertheless also among the narrow circle of title favourites. The Finnish national ice hockey team has never won a gold medal at the Winter Olympics, but Finland has already won two silver and four bronze medals in 16 Olympic Games.

At the last Olympics in Pyeongchang, Finland reached the quarter-finals after a successful group phase and a win against Olympic host South Korea. The “Leijonat” was eliminated after a defensive battle against Canada and thus missed the semi-finals at an Olympic tournament for the first time since 2002.

Because the NHL stars are missing from the Olympic line-up this time, it remains to be seen how far the adventure will go at the Winter Olympics in Beijing. It’s quite possible that Finland will have to pull out early this time as well and won’t be represented among the top four teams.

Valtteri Filppula, the heart of the Finnish offensive

Enough experience is definitely present in the Finnish squad even without NHL stars. Many players, including Valtteri Filppula, have already gained experience in the prestigious NHL during their long careers. Filppula is the centrepiece of the Finns’ offensive line. In his career, the “oldie” has already been under contract with four different NHL clubs.

The 37-year-old is currently under contract with Genève-Servette HC and is winding down his career. The last time Filppula was in Finland’s Olympic squad, the “Leijonat” won the bronze medal almost twelve years ago.

With Sami Vatanen, there is another player from Genève-Servette HC in the ranks of the Finnish national ice hockey team who has also already won a medal at the Winter Olympics in his current career. In total, nine players with Olympic experience are in Finland’s squad – a good omen before the group match against Slovakia?

Slovakia – Statistics & current form

Slovakia have played in every Olympic tournament so far – since separating from Czechoslovakia. In its seven Olympic appearances, the Slovak national ice hockey team has never won a medal. In most cases, the Olympic adventure was already over in the first round of the play-offs.

Only at the 2010 Winter Games in Canada did the Slovaks make it into the top four teams of the Olympic ice hockey tournament. Slovakia only narrowly missed out on a place in the final to the hosts and tournament winners Canada. In the bronze medal game, on the other hand, Slovakia suffered a bitter defeat against Finland, squandering a clear lead in the last third of the game.

In return, the world number nine of the IIHF lagged behind the high expectations at the last two Olympic Games. In the last eight games at the 2014 and 2018 Olympic Games, the Slovakian national ice hockey team had only one victory. In return, they not only suffered seven defeats, but also conceded a total of 28 goals.

Next defeat against Finland?

Good possibility that the negative trend will continue at this year’s. Against the upcoming opponents from Finland, the “Repre” has lost six of the last seven international matches. In the last match with the Finnish national ice hockey team, Slovakia suffered a 4-2 defeat in the group stage of the 2019 World Cup.

However, compared to the last time Finland fielded NHL stars, there is a realistic chance of a surprise coup for Slovakia this time around. In the Slovak ranks, Martin Marincin of Trinec Ocelari HC is currently the player with the most experience. In his long career, Marincin has already played 227 NHL games.

If Marincin leads his team to a surprise coup against the runners-up in the World Cup, risk-savvy bettors can pick up odds of up to 5.10 for a bet on the “Repre” in Finland vs. Slovakia.

Finland vs. Slovakia Direct Comparison / H2H Balance

For the 19th time, the two nations will meet in a hockey match. Finland leads the head-to-head comparison against the Slovakian national ice hockey team with a record of 14-1-3. Two of Finland’s three defeats came in a test match, and only once did the Finnish national team lose to Slovakia in a competitive match.

As mentioned earlier, Finland have won six of their last seven international matches against Slovakia. In the last meeting between Finland and Slovakia, a prediction of over 5.5 goals paid off. It’s possible that betting on a high-scoring encounter will pay off this time as well.

Finland – Slovakia Tip

Finland are difficult to assess at the Olympic tournament in Beijing. Although the vice world champions are missing key players from the NHL, there are some players in Filppula & Co. who have already gained a lot of experience in their current careers not only in Olympic tournaments but also in the NHL.

Slovakia, on the other hand, is a surprise package. In its last two Olympic appearances, the Slovakian national ice hockey team won only one of a total of eight games. Since the fourth place at the 2010 Olympics in Canada, the “Repre” thus buckled and squandered the momentum of the “golden generation”.

We expect the group opener between the two nations to be a high-scoring encounter in which it will only be a matter of time before the six-goal mark is broken. There is enough quality in both attacking departments for this to happen.

With a stake of six units, we place our bet on Finland vs. Slovakia at odds of 2.80 on over 5.5 goals.