Coach´s Corner 15.9.2009
 
Promise is a promise
 
Had the season opening/open practice for the fans earlier today.
 
Started with a little speech, the players talked about themselves and mr Törmälä was combined MC and translator (Good job J) and then we finished the happening practise session. Guys were working hard, doing their best, we worked on our defense and I was telling the fans what was going on all the time on the floor. There were about 70 persons all together so that was great.
 
Had a lot of nice little talks with our fans during the session and gave a promise to our English speaking fans (yes, there are many!) that were present. They asked me to write something in English. There is the reason for the English language used today. Hope U Finns can read this as well..
 
The season is getting closer and closer and I honestly feel we will be ready when the season starts, ToPo Cup game next week may be a little too early (U hear me TK and HM?) but overall the outlook is real positive right now. The team has been built around our excellent Finnish guys. We have recruited guys to make the team an unit where all the pieces make other pieces better and I feel that we have succeeded well. Next thing is to do everything possible to make the team function as a Team all the time and if we can succeed with that... beware.
 
We have already played a couple of games, beat Kerava by +50 and Kouvot about 10. Those were preparation games, so the results really do not matter, but the way we played was positive. We tried really hard to play D, played together offensively and ran the floor OK. Eskola, Neponen and co. looked good, our skeleton of Pete and Sale played with a lot of inspiration and joy and the Americans did what they were supposed to do. Overall we played with energy, hustle and joy and that will be seen at Areena as well. First time now against Lappeenranta on Saturday and most importantly during the league season.
 
Hopefully we will have a lot of people and noise at Areena. I know for a fact that these guys work hard and they will give everything they have in every game... U do not want to miss that!
 
Respecting the game, every day
 
Pekka
 
PS. Thanks to everybody for welcoming me to the beautiful city of Joensuu. It has been great.

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