moomin man 76

Antti Vuolas fills Finland's only spot.

History made as Finland win the Ice Speedway of Nations for the first time.

Will definitely get the Varkaus stream.

It'll be good to see the European Ice Speedway final at Varkaus. Big respect to the Mustonen family and all the other volunteers at Varkaus.

Looking at which riders might be available to each nation, I would have thought that Sweden or Finland will be contesting the gold medal in the team event.

Tero Aarnio has signed for Masarna.

Can't see any benefit of having France and Italy in front of Finland, bearing in mind the scores in the first semi-final, plus Finland qualifying for the final two years ago.

Timo Lahti has a Swedish passport on account of him riding in Sweden for numerous years, but it makes him as Swedish as it makes me a Finn (my wife being Finnish). Rding on a Swedish licence is out of convenience too, as although he is a Finn, he counts as a Swede for team building purposes in the Elitserien. Sadly speedway in Finland is really struggling, withno meetings held this season, due to the well documented insurance nightmare. Otto Raak being picked at reserve is largely due to their being no one else left to ride, rather than his ability as a 16 year old up and coming rider.

The situation regarding insurance for speedway in Finland is getting beyond a joke now. The sport was already struggling and the insurance issue could potentially finish off the sport. The sums quoted are astronomical per bike. You can practice, but cannot take part in a competitive meeting without insurance. Sadly there will probably be no speedway meetings in Finland at all this year, as the planned pairs series has also been cancelled.

Otto Raak for Finland at Varkaus.

Good stream on Tapes Up production, but with the dust already flying, the track at Abensberg desperately needs some water.

Not sure if Timo Lahti is doing himself any favours riding as a Swede, when it comes to allocating wild cards.

The Finnish rider at Ludwiglust will be Otto Raak from Varkaus. Sadly there are no other Finnish U21 riders of the requisite standard.

Even with my own profound dislike of Chris Holder, it can't be denied that he was a deserved qualifier and the quality of racing was excellent. After attending in person the qualifiers at Glasgow in 2019 and 2021, I would be delighted to see the Facena family awarded with another qualifier in 2022.

I am in the stadium. There are two ambulances here. The delay is apparently due to the medical teams checking over both Brad Wilson Dean and Tero Aarnio. Both are meant to be going to hospital to be checked over.