Global LFC Family: Finland

Jani Lilja - this is your LFC life...

Name: Jani Lilja
Age: 36
City/country: Turku, Finland
Job: Collaboration consultant and serial tweeter

Why did you pick Liverpool as your team?

Good question. My big brother was a fan so that influenced me a bit, but something must have caught my eye during those Saturday evenings when the games were on TV. Who knows? Maybe I didn't choose Liverpool but Liverpool chose me as there has always been some strange affection since the day I remember being interested in football.

What's your earliest LFC memory?

I cannot remember the exact game but a young Robbie Fowler and Steve McManaman are the two who set the final fire in me.

How did people in your country follow Liverpool's fortunes at first?

During the '70s and '80s, the Finnish Broadcasting Company gave the Finns Saturday evening football, and as Liverpool were top of the world during those days, I presume our games were shown a bit more than others.

Was it difficult to find out news or see the match?

You got what the telly gave you, so in that sense there wasn't that much choice. Luckily for me, the internet has provided more and more possibilities to be part of the LFC community.

Who was your first LFC hero and why?

Mr Robert Fowler - a young local lad living and breathing the club and scoring goals for fun from anywhere. During that time, he was the most natural finisher around. He seems to be quite a character and still gives me smiles on Twitter.

What is your favourite LFC memory?

Istanbul 2005, of course. There are moments to remember and that was something you cannot erase even if you'd want to. That game was a perfect piece of art. Huge emotions and drama - something you couldn't imagine in your wildest dreams. Add to that the travelling fans who let the team know they were not walking alone during half-time. Game-day experience at Anfield and first-born's Liverpool bodysuit from co-workers come behind Istanbul.

Who has been your favourite Liverpool manager and why?

Rafael Benitez. I'd say he built the foundation for the future during his time at Anfield and whilst doing that, he brought some silverware to the club too. He seemed to love and understand the DNA of the club and was prepared to fight for the club. Under him we were one of those teams in Europe no-one wanted to face.

What has been your lowest point supporting Liverpool?

The Hicks and Gillett era. They sure knew how to talk the talk but walking the walk was more than catastrophic. All the good that was built up was destroyed in a few years. Looking at things from a wider perspective, it has been a sad story to see how officials and the press handled Hillsborough - so much unnecessary added pain for the families who were already suffering.

Have you ever been to Anfield?

Around 12 years ago I visited the museum during off season but about a month ago (October 5) I finally made it to the game against Crystal Palace. Our seats were in the Kop and it was a quite magical experience as people were singing for the whole time and I couldn't hear the away fans or anything else going on. My brother was there also for the first time so you can imagine the feeling. Having the stadium tour on the same day was a nice experience, as was touching that famous sign. And the atmosphere in the pubs outside Anfield... If the experience against Crystal Palace was like this, I wonder what it would be against Everton, Man United or on those famous Champions League nights.

Where were you while we were in Istanbul?

Because of work I had to stay in a rubbish hotel in the middle of nowhere and watch the game in my room on a small TV. During half-time, I went to brush my teeth and remembered I had a Liverpool top with me so I put that on and prepared for the second half. I don't know why but I didn't feel desperate or anything like that, I just thought that we should go for it because anything is possible. Well...it truly was possible and I still remember thinking that Smicer shouldn't shoot - but what the heck do I know? Add to that Dudek's double save combined with his saves in the penalty shoot-out and Gerrard's phenomenal work-rate during the second half and extra time. I couldn't stop smiling for a while and getting to sleep was quite hard after that. The Istanbul 2005 'In My Life' video on YouTube still gives me chills.

Do Liverpool have a passionate fan base where you're from?

Liverpool is one of the most - maybe the most - supported English club in Finland and lots of people go to the games many times per season. People in the official LFC supporters' group in Finland have their meetings and watch games but I have not yet attended those, even though during the Liverpool trip I got to know a few of the people. Also, there are many fans on Twitter.

Which team are considered Liverpool's biggest rivals in your country?

Everton is always Everton but I'd say Manchester United is on some level the biggest rival. I live in a city where we have two teams playing at the highest level, so I understand why Everton is - and will always be - the biggest, but for non-locals I guess it is not always the biggest rivalry.

Where do you go online to follow news about LFC?

My primary source is Twitter, where I follow the official account but also the accounts of many journalists, fan sites and just normal people speaking about the team and what is going on. It's great fun on matchdays.

Do you also support a local team?

Yes, as mentioned before, we have two top-tier teams in this town and I've always been a fan of the old traditional team, TPS (Turun Palloseura). During the last couple of years I haven't been to the matches that much because of family matters but maybe next season.

Who is your favourite current player and why?

Steven Gerrard. He has matured to be an excellent captain for the club and still has plenty to give. He stayed at the club even though he had offers to compete at the highest level in any country. I wouldn't mind him winning the title before retiring.

If you could meet anyone connected to Liverpool FC - past or present - who would it be and why?

Shankly would have been interesting based on what I've read, and I wouldn't mind shaking hands with Kenny Dalglish and Robbie Fowler. But as a Finn, I'd like to meet Sami Hyypia. It would be interesting to hear his stories from the corridors of Anfield and Melwood. Doing what Sami has done with Liverpool is quite an achievement.

What makes you most proud to be a Liverpool supporter?

The togetherness. You can feel it when you meet people or even when you discuss the club online. People will always be there pushing the team forward during the bad times (you know, through the wind and rain) and celebrating with them when the time comes. The players and club play their part too. Seeing Daniel Sturridge giving his shirt to that kid after the Crystal Palace game made a huge impression.

Finally, what does 'the Liverpool way' mean to you?

Building for the future without forgetting the past. Remembering that we are all in this together for the greater cause and not for ourselves. It's being part of the family. One bird, many stories.

Previous articles in the Global LFC Family series:

South Africa - Melissa Reddy>>
Thailand - Jeerawan Duangnam Herriot>>
Australia - Wayne Psaila>>
Mexico - Victor Alvarado>>
Indonesia - Andhika Sarwendha Suksmana>>
Nepal - Nischal Adhikari>>
Ghana - Aristo Dotse>>
India - Kaushal Goyal>>
Singapore - Henry Hann>>
Bahrain - Mohamed Ashoor>>
Mongolia - Amarsaikhan Orsoo>>
Vietnam - Pham Quynh Le>>
USA - July 4th Special>>
Iran - Mohammad Reza Rahimi>>
South Korea - Yong-Suk Choi>>
Norway - Arild Skjæveland>>
Russia - Ivan Potapov>>
Myanmar - Khin Maung Cho>>
USA - Roy Yates>>
China - Chen Jing>>
Brazil - Bárbara Rubio>>
Kenya - Mitesh Chavda>>
Spain - Luis Gutierrez>>
Venezuela - Jorge De Castro>>
Greece - Efstratios Sakkias>>
Malaysia - Muzili Aznor Musa>> 
Taiwan - Roxan>>