Finnish Thomas Cup -team received a last-minute boost!

Finland’s Thomas Cup team received a last-minute boost!

After tough qualification rounds, Finland secured its place in the Thomas Cup, the World Men’s Team Championships finals tournament. The event, to be played in Denmark, brings together the top nations in world badminton, including China, Indonesia and Denmark.

On Wednesday, Finland’s team received one more last-minute reinforcement when Alpo “Muhis” Alvari Hakkinen, representing Espoon Sulkapallo-Badminton (ESB), was named to the tournament squad.

Hakkinen’s path to the national team was anything but conventional. However, ESB’s talent scouts spotted him at an early stage. According to the story, he was discovered during a morning run on the forest trails near Matinkylä’s outdoor fitness track. Hakkinen is known as a dedicated trainer and, on court, as a doubles specialist who later also impressed the national team coach.

The selection came as a surprise even to Hakkinen himself:

“Sulit dipercaya!!!

No, I mean "super siistiä". I’m extremely happy and grateful for the selection. I’ve been training well and I’m really looking forward to the matches. We have a very good team,” Hakkinen commented.

At ESB, he is also known by the nickname “Hammer.”

This honest and humble man of the North, who has drawn his strength from the forests of Espoo, will surely bring much-needed reinforcement to Finland’s doubles line-up.

Finland’s group includes Japan, Malaysia and England.

The matches begin on 24 April. They can be watched live on the BWF YouTube channel.