President Halonen cheered for Finland at the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver as both the women’s and men’s teams won bronze medals.
photo: Todd Korol / Reuters
It’s not just hockey players and fans who are thrilled to see the 2019 IIHF Ice Hockey Women’s World Championship taking place in Espoo (4 to 14 April). A wide variety of Finnish celebrities have voiced their support for the home team – and for women’s hockey at large.
From politicians to writers, from hard-rock singers to hip-hop stars, this Nordic nation is pumped and ready to host the Women’s Worlds for the first time in 10 years.
Tarja Halonen
President of Finland (2000-2012)
Finland’s first female President has not slowed down since leaving office. Working with the United Nations and the Finnish Ministry for Foreign Affairs, former President Halonen serves as a member of the Council of Women World Leaders.
From politicians to writers, from hard-rock singers to hip-hop stars, this Nordic nation is pumped and ready to host the Women’s Worlds for the first time in 10 years.
Tarja Halonen
President of Finland (2000-2012)
Finland’s first female President has not slowed down since leaving office. Working with the United Nations and the Finnish Ministry for Foreign Affairs, former President Halonen serves as a member of the Council of Women World Leaders.
Hello Lionesses! I wish you good luck and a lot of Finnish sisu (guts) in the 2019 IIHF Ice Hockey Women’s World Championship!
Michael Monroe
Hanoi Rocks singer turned solo artist
Hanoi Rocks became the most internationally famous Finnish rock band of the 1980s. Frontman Michael Monroe’s vocals and stage presence influenced arena rock kings from Axl Rose (Guns N’ Roses) to Sebastian Bach (Skid Row). Monroe’s next solo album, One Man Gang, is slated for a 2019 release, and he will tour everywhere from Spain to Japan this summer.
This Hanoi Rocks cover of CCR’s Up Around The Bend, featuring Michael Monroe, was played regularly at the 2003 IIHF World Championship in Finland.
Michael Monroe’s Message:
“Growing up in Finland, it’s pretty natural to be at least a little bit into ice hockey. When I used to play hockey in my school days, I was the goalie.
“I think it’s great and refreshing that nowadays an increasing amount of women play ice hockey as well, since in the past it’s been kind of considered mainly a male sport.
“Often when a woman takes on a job mostly done by men, they eventually end up being better and more effective than the regular guy because they have to try extra hard, since women are still not being treated equally in the system. So they go through a tougher education and consequently turn out tougher and that much more efficient at what they do.
“Having said that, I sincerely want to wish the Finnish women’s hockey team the best of luck at the World Championship!!
“I’m proud of you girls!”
Love & Respect,
*Michael Monroe*❤️
Hanoi Rocks singer turned solo artist
Hanoi Rocks became the most internationally famous Finnish rock band of the 1980s. Frontman Michael Monroe’s vocals and stage presence influenced arena rock kings from Axl Rose (Guns N’ Roses) to Sebastian Bach (Skid Row). Monroe’s next solo album, One Man Gang, is slated for a 2019 release, and he will tour everywhere from Spain to Japan this summer.
This Hanoi Rocks cover of CCR’s Up Around The Bend, featuring Michael Monroe, was played regularly at the 2003 IIHF World Championship in Finland.
Michael Monroe’s Message:
“Growing up in Finland, it’s pretty natural to be at least a little bit into ice hockey. When I used to play hockey in my school days, I was the goalie.
“I think it’s great and refreshing that nowadays an increasing amount of women play ice hockey as well, since in the past it’s been kind of considered mainly a male sport.
“Often when a woman takes on a job mostly done by men, they eventually end up being better and more effective than the regular guy because they have to try extra hard, since women are still not being treated equally in the system. So they go through a tougher education and consequently turn out tougher and that much more efficient at what they do.
“Having said that, I sincerely want to wish the Finnish women’s hockey team the best of luck at the World Championship!!
“I’m proud of you girls!”
Love & Respect,
*Michael Monroe*❤️
Noora Louhimo
Battle Beast frontwoman
Powered by the spine-tingling vocals of Noora Louhimo, Battle Beast has emerged as one of the world’s top female-fronted melodic heavy metal acts. The Helsinki-based sextet released its fifth studio album, No More Hollywood Endings, in March.
Endless Summer is a new song from Battle Beast’s 2019 album No Hollywood Endings.
Battle Beast frontwoman
Powered by the spine-tingling vocals of Noora Louhimo, Battle Beast has emerged as one of the world’s top female-fronted melodic heavy metal acts. The Helsinki-based sextet released its fifth studio album, No More Hollywood Endings, in March.
Endless Summer is a new song from Battle Beast’s 2019 album No Hollywood Endings.
I’m so excited about women’s hockey finally getting this kind of attention. When the world of sports is going toward gender equality and supporting athletes, no matter what their gender, sexual orientation or religion is, we can be sure it is going to positively affect the future of humanity and modern society. In the music business, women are still the minority, and we have to fight much harder to succeed. I believe the same happens in sports. My chant to the hockey athletes out there is: ‘Work hard, fight hard and never give up!’ And of course, come to our Battle Beast shows to get some extra kick! ;)
JVG
Sports-themed Finnish hip-hop duo
Jare Brand and Ville Galle are no strangers to hockey. The humorous and energetic Helsinki-based rappers paid tribute to Teemu Selanne in “Teemu ja Jari,” and put “Tarkenee” on the soundtrack of NHL 19, the hockey video game in which they also appear as playable characters. JVG recorded a special video greeting for the 2019 Finnish national women’s team.
Sports-themed Finnish hip-hop duo
Jare Brand and Ville Galle are no strangers to hockey. The humorous and energetic Helsinki-based rappers paid tribute to Teemu Selanne in “Teemu ja Jari,” and put “Tarkenee” on the soundtrack of NHL 19, the hockey video game in which they also appear as playable characters. JVG recorded a special video greeting for the 2019 Finnish national women’s team.
Tsemppii Naisleijonille maailmanmestaruuskisoihin! Tuokaa pytty kotiin! Good luck to the Finnish Lady Lions for the World Championship! Bring the trophy home!
Antti Tuomainen
Crime fiction author
Hailed as the “funniest writer in Europe” by The Times, Antti Tuomainen is one of Finland’s most original and beloved crime authors. His novel Palm Beach Finland was recently published by Orenda Books in the UK.
Crime fiction author
Hailed as the “funniest writer in Europe” by The Times, Antti Tuomainen is one of Finland’s most original and beloved crime authors. His novel Palm Beach Finland was recently published by Orenda Books in the UK.
In addition to Palm Beach Finland, Antti Tuomainen’s acclaimed crime novels include The Healer, Dark As My Heart, and The Mine.
As you might know, Finland exports a great deal of wood products and paper, mobile games, and now also hockey pucks – delivered straight into the opponents’ goals. Good luck, Finnish Lionesses!