Ronja Savolainen: "I really hope for change"

Ronja Savolainen, the Finnish World Cup who took the World Cup silver with her Finland, is clear with her support for the Women's crown.

The 21-year-old, who plays everyday in the Swedish club club Luleå, knows a closeness to the Swedish players and what they go through.

- I have many friends in the Swedish national team. Obviously I think it's fine what they do, says the Finnish back to SVT Sport.

The Finnish Ice Hockey Association has a compensation system for the players. And Savolainen points out how important the interaction with and support from the union is.

- The Finnish national team would never be where we are without the support our union has shown us. And that they continue to support us means that the union really believes in us. And that belief is perhaps something that the Swedish national team feels is missing from the Swedish federation.

Is this the right time to do this? Considering that the national team has been degraded to the B-World Cup?

- Yes, that is the "wrong opportunity" it never really is, but it is clear that it is sad that they have had to leave the A-VM. But I see that the lack of support is precisely one reason why they have gone down to a lower World Cup division.

She develops her reasoning.

- It may be that the national team players have neither received support nor respect for their work.

The Finnish states that she supports the women's position and boycott. But at the same time, she is thoughtful about the timing.

- Maybe it is not exactly the right situation, even if the act itself is good. After all, it is camp soon and they risk losing their place in the Euro Hockey Tour.

Japan takes Sweden's place in the five-nation tournament in Finland. Back star Savolainen thinks it is a shame not to get a match against the Women crown.

- It's always fun with the tournaments where we play against neighboring Sweden. It gets a little sad not to be able to play those matches. But who knows, maybe the situation will change in the near future.

Savolainen returns to the argument about the support of the Finnish Confederation. Support that she believes has been significant for truly challenging major nations such as Canada and the United States.

- We motivated for the union that we had a chance to offer the major nations real resistance. And then we made it clear that the support was needed. And the result speaks its clear language, she says, referring to the World Cup success, where the Finns took home the second most precious denomination in the recent World Cup.

What can the Swedish national team have for realistic demands on their union?

- From what I've heard and believe, it's not about wanting big sums of money. It is first and foremost a matter of wanting respect and feeling seen and heard. That their existence is important for the Swedish union.

She ends hopefully when she talks about her Swedish hockey colleagues.

- I really hope for change as soon as possible.