BEIJING (Reuters) – Finland’s journey to the ice hockey gold in Beijing has been a protracted one, however that of Marko Anttila has been particularly powerful because the veteran spent six days in isolation earlier than serving to his staff win their maiden Olympic title.
Anttila examined constructive for COVID-19 upon his arrival in Beijing and head coach Jukka Jalonen hit out on the Games organisers for “not respecting his human rights”.
Anttila missed Finland’s first recreation however was launched in time for the second, the place he scored two targets, after an isolation interval throughout which his staff stated he didn’t get sufficient meals.
Sunday’s gold medal, after a 2-1 win towards the Russian Olympic Committee, due to this fact had a particular flavour to Anttila, a ninth spherical choose of the Chicago Blackhawks within the 2004 NHL draft.
“It was boring and irritating as a result of I needed to have the option to play right here. I obtained fortunate to get out of there early,” alternate captain Anttila informed reporters.
“I needed to present that I may very well be a giant participant right here.”
The 36-year-old did simply that on Sunday, aiding Hannes Bjorninnen on the profitable objective as Finland rallied from 1-0 down to prevail 2-1.
“I used to be far-off from enjoying the ultimate right here once I was in isolation however I made it right here and put the hearth on.”
Anttila was Finland’s staff captain once they gained their third world championships title, having scored the one objective towards Russia within the semi-final and a double of their 3-1 ultimate win towards Canada.
“It’s a dream come true,” he stated.
“There was loads of time to assume, it was not straightforward. I actually needed to be right here and simply play hockey.”
Anttila did greater than ‘simply play hockey’ on Sunday, in accordance to staff captain Valtteri Filppula.
“It looks as if the larger the sport, the higher he performs. He’s spectacular to watch, he is an ideal staff mate throughout. Like I stated he is huge when it issues,” he stated.
(Reporting by Julien Pretot; Editing by Jacqueline Wong)
