KAJ AHLSVED
1. Karelian Division, “Suomi!”
From: “Various artists” / “Leijonat 2012. The official album for IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship Finland & Sweden” Sony 886919739222, 2012, compact disc.
Tuomas Holopainen, Marko Annala, Kuisma Aalto, Jari Sinkkonen, and others.
The song “Suomi!”, as recorded by the band Karelian Division, was featured on the compilation album “Leijonat 2012” that was released before the World Championship Tournament spring 2012. “Suomi!” is written by Kuisma Aalto and Marko Annala who also were part the so-called super group Karelian Division which featured musicians from many prominent Finnish heavy metal bands, especially Nightwish, Mokoma, and Kotiteollisuus. Karelian Division is a reference to warfare, but it was also the name of a group where many of the members played Fantasy hockey together.
2. Teflon Brothers, “Kendo Anthem”
From: “Various artists” / “Leijonat 2014. Virallinen leijonat-kokoelma” Universal 37826236, 2014, compact disc.
Teflon Brothers consists of Pyhimys, Heikki Kuula and Voli.
The song “Kendo Anthem” was written and performed by Teflon Brothers and featured on the compilation album “Leijonat 2014” that was released before the World Championship Tournament in spring 2014. The song was the “The Lions” official tournament song when going in to the tournament that was played in Minsk, Belorussia. “Kendo Anthem” is based on Runo & The Satellites song “Poika kotiin” (Bring The Boy home) and like the earlier version the chorus is performed by Suna school choir from Espoo, Finland. Kendo is a tongue-in-cheek term for ice hockey.
3. Poju, “Poika Saunoo”
From: “Various artists” / “Leijonat 2011. Virallinen leijonat-kokoelma” Sony 88697932292, 2011, compact disc.
Written and performed by Poju (Pasi Heinonen).
“Poika saunoo” (Boy is in the sauna) was initially written and recorded by Pasi “Poju” Heinonen as a potential victory song for the Jyväskylä-based ice hockey team JYP. It was released as a single and on his solo album “Panokset kovenee” (The stakes are getting higher) before it was included on the compilation album Leijonat 2011. JYP did not win but as a victory song for Finland it became the most sold single of 2011 when Finland won its first gold since 1995. Today “Poika saunoo” is a popular victory song in Finnish sports.
4. Laulavat Leijonat, “Ice hockey”
From: “Laulavat Leijonat” / “Ice Hockey” Power Records oy, 1991, 33⅓ rpm.
Jussi Niemi: composition, arrangement, guitar; Kari Tyni: lyrics, Petteri Poijärvi: vocals; Risto Närhi: keyboards; Jouni Hokkanen: bass; Jarkko Lampinen: drums; Timo Pitkänen: trumpet; Janne Kettunen saxophone: Esa Keskinen, Hannu Virta, Pasi Huura, Sakari Lindfors and Teemu Selänne: choir.
“Ice Hockey” by the group Laulavat Leijonat (Singing lions) is one of the first ever songs written for the national team. It was the official tournament song for the 1991 Ice Hockey World Championships in Finland. The song featured a choir of players, among them the young star Teemu Selänne but also Sakari Lindfors, Pasi Huura, Hannu Virta and Esa Keskinen. The vinyl release included a large poster with printed autographs from the players.
5. Samppa Linna feat. Timo Jutila, “Ny rillataan viimeiseen asti”
From: “Various artists” / “Leijonat 2013. The official album for 2013 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship Sweden & Finland” Sony 88883714012, 2013, compact disc.
Performed by: Samppa Linna (Aku Hirviniemi) and Timo Jutila.
Written by: Aku Hirviniemi, E. Lind, Leroi G, Matti Ruohonen and Timo Jutila.
In 2013 “Ny rillataan” (Let’s barbeque) was recorded by the fictional character Samppa Linna, created by actor and comedian Aku Hirviniemi for the sketch television show program Putous (Comedy Combat). Timo Jutila, the captain from the golden team of 1995, features the song with famous expressions, especially the main phrase “ny rillataan.” The release also featured a popular music video.
6. Nick Borgen, “Den glider in”
From: “Various artists” / “Golden hockey night.” BMG 74321264642, 1995, compact disc.
Nick Borgen: vocals; Tre Kronor (Swedens’s men’s nationat team in ice hockey): choir.
Swedish songwriter Peter Karlsson wrote the song “Den glider in” for the Swedish national team preceeding the tournament in Stockholm 1995. The song was recorded with vocalist Nick Borgen and was the opening track of the official championship record Golden Hockey Night. The phrase “den glider in” (the puck slides in) was borrowed and sampled from a
popular commentary by Swedish television legend Lennart Hyland in 1962.
After the final which was won by Finland the song became very popular in Finland and a new version with vocals by the Finnish artist Kirka, the coach Curt “Curre” Lindström and the world championship team of 1995 was released.
7. A-tyyppi featuring Antero Mertaranta, “Ihanaa, Leijonat, ihanaa”
From: “A-tyyppi” / “Ihanaa, Leijonat Ihanaa” COL 667446 1, 1999, compact disc.
Written and performed by: A-tyyppi and Antero Mertaranta.
The song “Ihanaa, Leijonat ihanaa” (Wonderful, Lions, wonderful) was released before the World Championship tournament in Norway 1999 by the artist A-tyyppi. In the song the group connects the characteristic verbal style of Finnish sports commentator Antero Mertaranta with a techno beat.
8. Finnish Hockey Mafia, “Taivas varjele!”
From: “Various artists” / “Leijonat 2011. Virallinen leijonat-kokoelma” Sony 88697932292, 2011, compact disc.
Written and performed by Finnish Hockey Mafia (Joonas Hahmo) and Antero Mertaranta.
The song “Taivas varjele!” (Good heavens!) by Finnish Hockey Mafia featuring Antero Mertaranta became immensely popular when Finland won its second gold medal 2011. Just like “Ihanaa, Leijonat Ihanaa,” this song is based on Mertaranta’s television commentary. In the song, tribute is paid to the spectacular goal scored by Mikael Granlund in the semifinal game against Russia. The song was supposed to be only a minor joke by techno/house artist Joonas Hahmo, but after being uploaded to YouTube the day after the semifinal, it quickly spread on social media. The song was later published digitally by Sony Music and was included on the platinum-selling Leijonat 2011 record that was released in Finland as a celebratory compact disc after the tournament.
9. DJ ILG, “Löikö Mörkö sisään?”
From: “DJ ILG Feat. Antero Mertaranta” / “Löikö Mörkö Sisään?” Warner Music Finland, Mökkitie records, file.
Written and performed by DJ ILG (Olli Hartonen) and Antero Mertaranta.