Ball Hockey World Championship - Pardubice » We have to get better now, says Finland’s goal scorer Sami Pietsalo

Finland trailed by three goals half way through their opening game, but Sami Piestalo managed to put his side on the scoreboard. He finished his breakaway with a good snap shot to the far post. In the third period, he could have add another one but hit only the goal post.

"They are very good players, they play fast and we have to keep our play simple against teams like that," Sami Piestalo said after his team’s first game against the last World Champions. Finland lost 3-1 and Piestalo was the sole goal scorer for the Finns.

"We have to defend better and enter the game fully focused next time. As the game progressed, we were a bit tired and they outplayed us," knows Piestalo.

His moment came in the 23rd minute, when he got some space on the right side. He got into the zone and found the back of the net. "I just got the ball and ran as fast as I could to get a good shot. I enjoyed the moment really, it’s always nice to score a goal."

"It gave us a boost of confidence, we told ourselves that we can actually do something with the results in the final period," he said. The Finns showed their best in the final period and almost got their second goal, but Piestalo was denied by a goal post this time.

Now Finland’s thoughts aim towards their next opponent, that is to be Canada. "We will take a good rest, relax, get some sleep and we will be ready tomorrow. We simply have to get better now."

Piestalo also enjoys the local crowd. "The atmosphere here is really good. We’ve been here on Thursday to see the Czech game. It was a good game, they have some really good players."