I've had the priviledge to follow Mika's rising in the top elite of the game from the nineties, because I play in the same club in Helsinki Finland that he used to play (Ritz club). Mika was always talented and had early success when he won the Eurotour at the early age of 19. Since then I played him many times, both in tournaments and practise and I'm proud to say that I've also beaten him a couple of times.
When Mika moved to New York to play more seriously in 2000 I haven't seen him much but he occasionally visits Finland and also the Ritz club. I can tell that if he was hard to beat back then, he really has improved a lot during the last couple of years and looks and plays rock solid nowadays ! He has always had good concetration skills which make him the "Iceman" as he is known nowadays. Best of all, he is still very approachable and friendly outside the pool table and gladly talks to his fans. He is also very laid back and not too "formal"...
Hope Mika grabs more titles in the future and also helps Europe to beat the Americans in Mosconi Cup. Go Europe !!!
Saw Mika play Bert Kinister last year at the Derby City Classic. The match went hill--hill and Bert ended up making a tuff out to win the match. Bert was ecstatic and Mika was, well..... frowning So after the match some woman in the crowd goes "hey guys, mind if I get a picture?" So Bert and Mika are standing there and Bert has the biggest you've ever seen and Mika had this look on his face like . Made for a funny picture I bet!
Saw Mika play Bert Kinister last year at the Derby City Classic. The match went hill--hill and Bert ended up making a tuff out to win the match. Bert was ecstatic and Mika was, well..... frowning So after the match some woman in the crowd goes "hey guys, mind if I get a picture?" So Bert and Mika are standing there and Bert has the biggest you've ever seen and Mika had this look on his face like . Made for a funny picture I bet!
Mikko, maybe you can get to see Mika and play against him cause he said he'll be spening his Christmas in Finland before he goes back to NY and spends his New Year there.