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Jussi Vaananen & Katja Koukkula (Finland)

Biography / Биография
Interview / Интервью
Latest News / Новости

Jussi Vaananen & Katja Koukkula (professional dancers, latin, retired in 2005)
Dances: 1) rumba "All In Love Is Fair" by Carmen McRae,
2) freestyle with pasodoble elements (Metallica band song "Unforgiven" played by Apocalyptica band)
Юсси Вяянанен и Катья Коуккула (профессиональные танцоры, латина, завершили карьеру в 2005 году)
Танцы: 1) румба "All In Love Is Fair" Кармен МакРей,
2) своб.стиль c элем. пасодобля (композиция "Unforgiven" гр.Metallica в исполнении гр.Apocalyptica)
Biographies / Биографии

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photo www.yle.fi , www.jussikatja.fi

Jussi Vaananen and Katja Koukkula are professional dancers who have been fascinated by Latin rhythms for over 20 years. For additional power of expression, they have added classical and jazz dance to their repertoire. Having ended their competitive career in 2005, Jussi and Katja have continued performing and teaching in various corporate and other events and dance sport clubs and contributed to a number of TV and theatre productions. As teachers, they focus on conveying the knowledge of great masters to anyone interested. The foundation of their work is to develop the dancers’ basic facilities. Other focus areas include the expressive qualities and freedom of dance. Through their own hands-on experience as active dancers they are able to help others. Jussi and Katja believe in hard work and serious commitment. As their motto goes: Whatever you do, commit yourself to it. The fundamental reason for dancing, however, should not be forgotten; the love of dance and music and the opportunity to express oneself.

Amateur titles: Seven national titles 1994-2000, Fourth place in European Championships, Seventh place in World Championships
Professional titles (after May 2000): Four national titles 2000, 2002, 2003, 2004, First place in British Open Rising Stars, Tenth place in British Open main event, Tenth place in World Latin Championships, Seventh place in European Latin Championships Finalists in All England, Bangkok Open, Italian Open, Japan International, Imperial Championships, Universal Championships
Theatre and TV productions:
Saturday Night Fever musical (UIT production) 2004 with Katja as Maria Huerta, Jussi as Cesar Rodriguez, Lisaa letkua revue (UIT production) 2006 both as dancers, ensemble singers and actors, MTV3 production Strictly Come Dancing 2006 as dance teachers. Katja with rocker Jone Nikula and Jussi with TV producer Katja Kannonlahti

How do you feel to be taking part in the first EDC?
It’s great to be involved in making history! We join with open and unprejudiced minds. It is bound to be a thrilling event.

How would you find a trip to the Contest Final in London?
It would be an honorary duty, of course, and a nice round-off of the national exercise.

What about your freestyle dance?
Our plans are not quite finalized yet. The dance is supposed to contain national elements, but we are not going to go for “jenkka” or “humppa”.

See http://www.jussikatja.fi/

UudetSivutIndex_copy.jpg (18350 bytes)Юсси Вяянанен и Катья Коуккула - профессиональные танцоры латинских танцев уже более 20 лет. Помимо бальных танцев в их репертуаре экспрессию добавляют классический и джазовый танцы. Завершившие свою карьеру в 2005 году Юсси и Катья продолжили выступления на различных частных и публичных мероприятиях, и обучение танцоров в различных спортивных клубах, а также принимали участие в различных теле и театральных постановках. Как преподаватели они передают свои знания всем желающим, их специфика - обучение первоначальным знаниям о танце. Через свой большой опыт они помогают и другим танцорам. Юсси и Катья верят в то, что необходимо хорошо трудиться и быть преданным своему делу. Их девиз - что бы ты ни делал - полностью отдай себя этому делу. Основная причина их преданности к танцам - любовь к музыке и возможность самовыражения.

Звания в любительском спорте: 7 титулов на национальном уровне 1994-2000, 4 место на чемпионате Европы, 7 место на чемпионате Мира
Звания в профессиональном спорте (начиная с мая 2000 года): 4 титула на национальном уровне, 2000, 2002-04, первое место в категории "Восходящие звезды" открытого чемпионата Великобритании, 10 место на основном соревновании, 10 место в мировом чемпионате по латинским танцам, 7 место в чемпионате Европы, финалисты всеанглийского конкурса, Бангкок Оупен, Италиан Оупен, международных соревнований в Японии и др.
Участие в театральных и телешоу: мюзикл "Лихорадка субботней ночи", Катья в роли Марии, Юсси в роли Цезаря, "Lisaa letkua", оба в качестве танцоров, певцов и актеров, финская версия "Танцев со звездами" на канале MTV 3, Катья с рок-исполнителем Йоне Никула, Юсси с телепродюсером Катей Каннонлахти.

Что вы думаете об участии в первом Танцевальном Евровидении?
- Это особенное чувство - попасть в историю. Мы не задумываясь согласились принять участие в отборе. Это должно быть очень захватывающе.

Что вы думаете о поездке в Лондон на финал конкурса?
- Это очень почетное задание, и, конечно, шаг вперед от национального уровня.

Каким будет ваш танец свободного стиля?
- Пока мы не определились окончательно. Он будет содержать национальные элементы, но это не будет "енкка" или "хумппа".

Вебсайт: www.jussikatja.fi
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Interview / Интервью
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28/08 ESCKaz - Exclusive interview
Just prior departure to London ESCKaz managed to talk to Finnish dancer Jussi Vaananen, who with Katja Koukkula will represent Finland at Eurovision dance contest. Thanks to Finnish couple we will get the hard rock feeling in competition. Check interview here
Перед самым отправлением в Лондон ESCKaz смог поговорить с Финским танцором Юсси Вяянаненом, который вместе с Катей Коуккула представит Финляндию на Танцевальном Евровидении. Благодаря финской паре в конкурсе будут присутствовать рок-чувства. Читайте интервью здесь.
Latest News / Новости
Meanwhile Finnish broadcaster YLE has issued rewards to those who answered to YLE question - to help to design national flavours to the freestyle part of Eurodance. There came hundreds of ideas before the deadline of 15th of August. and their diversity strenthened the image of Finns as "creative, crazy and innovative" people.

From the most humoristic side can be mentioned wife-carrying, jenkka with stick-walking and dance with army trousers. Dance styles who got the most support were letkajenkka, tango and fusku-jive ("false jive"). Concerning performances and dresses, people suggested to show, beside Finns' shyness and honesty, also the silent and dark exoticness of the Nordic winter, the aurora borealis and summer bonfires. The Finnish closeness to nature came out in many suggestions.
Тем временем, финская национальная телекомпания YLE наградила тех, кто ответил на вопрос и помог готовить танец с финским национальным колоритом для финала Танцевального Евровидения. В установленный срок пришли сотни предложений и их разнообразие вновь подтвердило имидж финнов как "креативных, сумашедших и инновационных" людей.

В качестве смешных примером можно ответить танцы на ходулях или в армейской униформе. Стилями, получившими наибольшую поддержку были летка-енка, танго и фуску-джайв. Что же касается костюмов и выступлений, помимо робости и открытости финнов было предложено также продемонстрироваться темную и молчаливую экзотику северных зим, во многих предложениях проявлялась связь финнов с природой.
Jussi Vaananen & Katja Koukkula are the last couple to complete list of participants of Eurovision Dance Contest, they will represent Finland. Couple has got 27% of the SMS votes. Mariia and Markus Hirvonen were 2nd with 21% of votes, while Mikko Kaasalainen and Adrienn Fitori came 3rd with 18%

25/08 Eurovision Dance Contest period of national selections ends today with final in Finland, which has enough potential running in national selection to become highest ranked couple in the contest. Contest is being broadcasted by YLE2 at 19.30 preceeded by "Meaning of the dance" show at 18.45
Юсси Вяянанен и Катья Коуккула - пара, завершающая список участников Танцевального Евровидения 2007. На конкурсе они представят Финляндию. Пара получила 27% голосов телезрителей. Мария и Маркус Хирвонен стали вторыми с 21% голосов, а Микко Каасалайнен и Адриенн Фитори - третьими с 18%.

Период национальный отборов на Танцевальном Евровидении завершается сегодня финалом в Финляндии. Национальный отбор страны объединяет лучшие финские пары, которые могут стать потенциальными фаворитами конкурса. Прямой эфир на телеканале YLE2 в 19.30, а предшествовать ему в 18.45 будет шоу "Значение танца".
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17/08 Finnish broadcaster YLE has updated national Eurovision Dance Contest website with the latest information on preparations to national selection final and European Grand Final. Now you can find there complete information on participating couples and introduction of ballroom dances (in Finnish).

Several programs will preceed the show on YLE, starting from today.
Drawing ceremony, hosted by Simo Frangen (repeated): 17.8. at 19.10 YLE TV2, 18.8. at 20.25 YLE TV2, 21.8. at 19.35 YLE TV2, 24.8. at 19.50 YLE TV2
Meaning of dance, hosted by dance veteran Aira Samulin: 25.8. at 18.45 YLE TV2

National Final, hosts Jaana Pelkonen and Simo Frangen: 25.8 at 19.30 YLE TV2. It will be possible to watch show live via this link.
johannapirttilahtismall.jpg (6831 bytes)Also, prior to the contest on 1st of September YLE is offering another show at 20.25 at YLE 2, which will inform on rehearsals in London and will have live connection with Finnish couple, hosted by Simo Frangen and Johanna Pirttilahti, who will also announce Finnish televote results during the final. Commentators of the show on Finnish TV will be Jaana Pelkonen and dance expert Sirpa Suutari-Jaasko.
Also YLE 2 is offering repeat of the show on 2nd of September, 23.15

As introduction of participating couples is available at YLE site in Finnish only, ESCKaz is now introducing all participants in English below on this page (all photos and information are courtesy of Finnish broadcaster YLE)
Финская телекомпания YLE обновила национальный сайт Танцевального Евровидения свежей информацией о подготовке к национальному отбору и Европейскому финалу. Вы можете найти там полную информацию об участниках финского отбора и общее представление бальных танцев (на финском языке).

Ряд програм будет предшествовать финалу конкурса на YLE:
Жеребьевка - ведущий Симо Франген (с повторами): 17.8. в 19.10 YLE TV2, 18.8. в 20.25 YLE TV2, 21.8. в 19.35 YLE TV2, 24.8. в 19.50 YLE TV2
Значение танца, ведущая - ветеран бальных танцев Айра Самулин: 25.8 в 18.45 YLE TV2
juontajat_sm.jpg (9414 bytes)Национальный финал, ведущие Яана Пелконен и Симо Франген: 25.8 в 19.30 YLE TV2. Финал национального отбора будет доступен для просмотра в интернете по данной ссылке.
Также, перед показом самого конкурса 1го сентября в 20.25 YLE покажет предваряющее шоу, в котором будет рассказано о последних репетициях в Лондони и будет прямое включение с Финскими танцорами, вести которое будут Симо Франген и Йоханна Пирттилахти, которая также будет объявлять результаты финского телеголосования. Комментаторами шоу на финском телевидении будут Яана Пелконен и Сирпа Суутари-Яаско.
Также, YLE 2 предлагает повтор шоу 2го сентября в 23.15 местного времени.

Поскольку на сайте YLE вся информация доступна только на финском языке - мы представляем всех участников национального отбора на английском языке далее на этой странице (информация и фотографии представлены телекомпанией YLE)
Aleksi Seppanen and Elina Katainen
Voting number: 0700-717-01, or SMS "edc 1" to number 17132
waltz:
Dancehouse - You Light Up My Life (J. Brooks)
freestyle: tango: Tango For Four - Siks oon ma suruinen (T. Karki / K. Mustonen)

For Aleksi Seppanen and Elina Katainen, the European Dance Contest will be a debut as a dance couple. They have been training together for just four weeks. But both of them have a long dancing career behind them. Aleksi’s began in 1987 “by accident” as he says. He was actively involved in artistic gymnastics but one day, going to training, he found the class called off because of a dance contest. He stayed to watch the performances and was so excited that he joined a dance class the very next week.

During his career, Aleksi has won a total of ten national titles in all age categories. He has represented Finland in a number of European and World Championships and came third in the under 21 category in the British Open. For the last eight or nine years Aleksi has concentrated on ballroom dancing and for four years he and his partner performed as Finland’s number one couple in international competitions. This spring Aleksi and his partner Mariko Pajalahti won MTV3’s popular Strictly Come Dancing.

Elina’s interest in dancing was kindled in 1989 when her mother took her to watch a dance contest. Since then she has been involved in competitive dancing and won the national title in Ten Dances. She also holds medals from national Latin and Standard dance competitions.

How do you feel to be taking part in the first EDC and what do you expect of the national dance-off?
It’s just great to be there! We are eagerly looking forward to an opportunity to show our skills in this contest, though we have only been training together for four weeks by now.

How would you find a trip to the Contest Final in London?
Of course, it would be just great and a great honour to represent Finland in the first Eurovision Dance Contest.

What about your freestyle dance?
We have a preliminary plan for a freestyle number. The idea is to combine various dances and to introduce a national flavour through music. We are also looking forward to any good ideas from the audience as to a national theme that we could feature in the dance. Ninety seconds is a short while, but we can make changes quickly.

Erik and Sanna Hento
Voting number: 0700-717-02, or SMS "edc 2" to number 17132
cha cha: Dinah Washington - Is You Is Or Is You Ain't My Baby (B. Austin / L. Jordan)
freestyle: rumba / paso doble / waltz: Lasse Martenson - Myrskyluodon Maija (L. Martenson)

Erik started his dancing career in 1979. He holds seven amateur titles in national competitions, has been semi-finalist (among 12 best) in European and World Championships and finalist in European Junior and British Open Championships. Having graduated from high school in 1986 he lived in London for four years concentrating full-time on dancing. He moved back to Finland as he turned professional in 1992.

Sanna began her competitive career in 1982. She has taken three medals in Finnish amateur championships and represented Finland in European and World Amateur Championships in 1994 and 1995. After her graduation from high school in 1993 she worked as a make-up artist for two years until she moved to Helsinki and turned a professional dancer.

Erik’s and Sanna’s joint professional career began in 1995, and they have since won four silver medals in national professional championships and represented Finland in European and World Championships over four years. In 1999 and 2000 they were the only Finnish couple participating in the Burn the Floor dance show on world tour, performing over a hundred times on three continents. The tour also included dozens of TV performances in various parts of the world. The venues of the tour included Radio City Music Hall (New York), Royal Albert Hall (London), Sydney Entertainment Center, Universal Amphitheatre (Los Angeles) and Hartwall Areena (Helsinki).

Their last competition was the Finnish Professional Championship in 2000, and they have since concentrated on performing and teaching. To maintain their professional skills, they travel to Britain about three times a year to witness major contests. They also attend to classes with professionals of various dances and keep active track of dance, music and theatre productions. Besides teaching and performing, they have served as judges in national and international top competitions for a number of years, such as World Amateur Ten Dance Championships in Italy in 2001, World Junior Standard Championships 2006, Finland Open (IDSF International Open), Finnish Ten Dance Championships, National Latin Championships, National Professional Championships and a number of championships in different countries including France, Sweden, Norway, Latvia and Estonia. In spring 2006 they performed in Strictly Come Dancing on MTV3 with Leena Harkimo and Markus Poyhonen as their respective partners.

How did you end up as dancers?

E: My mother took me to a dance class when I was a small boy and I found out I did quite well. That’s how it began.
S: My allergies prevented me from taking up riding, so my mother took me to dance classes. Gradually I abandoned all other hobbies and at the age of 14 I knew I wanted to become a professional dancer.

What does dancing mean to you?
It’s a way of life, a means of expressing yourself and your feelings. We have always danced; we just cannot think of life without dancing.

How does it feel to participate in the first EDC and what do you expect of the national dance-off?

It’s an honour to take part in the first Eurovision Dance Contest! Rather than competition, we think of it as a fine opportunity to perform to a large audience.

How would you find a trip to the Contest Final in London?
It would be a huge experience, of course, but there are so many fine couples and the audience will decide who will go.

What about your freestyle dance?
Our freestyle number has been choreographed to a Finnish piece of music that we have kept in our repertoire throughout our common career. We have danced to it in our first as well as our last joint competition. The choreography has changed as our skills have improved, but the story is the same. When we had performed it in our farewell competition, the audience cried and we cried.

 

Sami Vainionpaa and Merje Styf
Voting number: 0700-717-03, or SMS "edc 3" to number 17132
waltz:
Eino Gron - Peyton Place (F. Waxman / C. Johansson)
freestyle: quickstep and electric: Big Kahuna And The Copa Cat Pack - Come On-A-My House (R. Jr. Bagdasarian) and Black Eyed Peas - Bebot (W. Adams / A. Pineda)

Sami Vainionpaa, 25, and Merje Styf, 23, live in Jyvaskyla and represent the local Tepika Dance Club. Both of them have been dancing since their elementary school years. Their joint career started in Helsinki six years ago. Sami and Merje have represented Finland in European and World Standard Championships and in the last two years they have pocketed silver and bronze from national championships. The career of the tall and elegant couple has been rising and the outlook is most favourable. They are studying to be dance teachers but are currently having a few gap years.

- We want to become international-level dancers and have decided to live a few years completely on the terms of competitive sport, Sami says.

What does dancing mean to you?
- The life of a dancer is the fulfilment of my dreams, says Merja, who began her career in a ballet class.

How do you feel to be taking part in the first EDC and what do you expect of the national dance-off?
- It’s a great honour and an exciting challenge to be accepted into the national dance-off. It gives you an opportunity to try and exceed the limits of an ordinary contest performance, say Sami and Merje.  

See http://www.samimerje.net/

Sami Helenius and Jutta Markkanen
Voting number: 0700-717-04, or SMS "edc 4" to number 17132
foxtrot: Michael Buble - Nice N' Easy (M. Buble)
freestyle: tango: Alfred Hause Orchestra - Satumaa (U. Mononen)

Sami Helenius and Jutta Markkanen are a cheerful and elegant couple, which turned professional in autumn 2006. For them, dance means above all freedom, joy and expression of life. Sami and Jutta, who live in Helsinki, specialize in standard dances, competing actively across the world. They are also experts in Latin rhythms, being Finland’s representatives in professional ten dances.

Sami’s road to professional dancing began in his domestic city Turku when he was 12. He got the spark after his sister took him to a class in the local dance club. Jutta, who has been a physically active performer from a young child, took up dancing in Salo when she was nine. The hobby took her to national championships and successes at the junior level.

Sami, 29, and Jutta, 23, have been dancing together from 2002. Their amateur career has brought them three national bronze medals in ten dances, a number of ranking final placements and many opportunities to represent Finland in European and World Championships.

Sami and Jutta train daily, but so far they have their regular jobs alongside dance teaching. Over the years it has become clear, however, that rather than them choosing dance, dance chose them. They believe that dancing requires humble work and total engrossing.

How does it feel to take part in the first EDC?
It’s absolutely great and an honour to take part in the first Eurovision Dance Contest and to extend another invitation to dance to the whole nation but in a new form. The national dance-off is bound to be an exciting and rewarding event. Our goal is to give the best we can in an atmosphere that will come across to home audiences. A trip to London as the first couple to represent Finland in the final event would be a great joy and honour.

What about your freestyle dance?
It’s still a secret, but it will feature classic elegance and an emotional story of a man and a woman.

Markus and Mariia Hirvonen
Voting number: 0700-717-05, or SMS "edc 5" to number 17132
waltz:
Kenny Rogers - If I Were A Painting (D. Ewing / D. Sampson)
freestyle: swing Kevin Spacey & William Ullrich - As Long As I'm Singing (B. Darin)

Markus, 19, and Mariia, 18, Hirvonen are brother and sister from Lappeenranta. They are currently living in Helsinki – Markus is about to finish his military service at the National Defence University and Mariia is completing her last year in Makelanrinne senior high school/sports school. Their common interest was found, encouraged by the family, when Markus was 7 and Mariia 6. Dancing seemed to be their natural way of expression from their early years. The couple’s strengths are similar motor tracts and similar interpretation. The brother and sister left their domestic dance floor in 2004 and moved to capital Helsinki. This provided them with an opportunity to combine high school studies and sports and to focus on serious dancing with professional coaches. Systematic cooperation with coaches, sports-oriented school and family support helped the young brother and sister adjust themselves to their new environment. From the beginning, Markus and Mariia’s principal coaches have been Harri and Niina Antikainen in standards and Jukka Haapalainen and Sirpa Suutari-Jaasko in Latin dances. They also employ coaches in Britain and Italy.

The couple’s best achievements are the US Open title in junior standards in 2003, nine gold medals in national standard, Latin and ten-dance contests, and eighth place in World Junior Ten-Dance Championships in 2005. Their top achievement so far is third place in under 21 standards at the prestigious Blackpool Dance Festival. They are holding the national titles in the Champion class of standard and Latin dances. Their goal is to be on the top of the international dance world.

“Over the years, dancing has become our way of life and passion, and it’s impossible to think of life without dance. We believe that dancing will be our profession. We have attended international competitions from an early age and gained a lot of experience for our career and life. We are already known around the world.”

It’s very exciting to participate in the EDC and we take up the challenge without any hesitation. It is an honour to perform in the first Eurovision Dance Contest for the domestic audience. Of course, it would be great to represent Finland in London too, but we must begin with total concentration on the national event.

The content of our freestyle number is still a secret, but we can promise it will be full of emotion and joy.”

Mikko Kaasalainen and Adrienn Fitori
Voting number: 0700-717-07, or SMS "edc 7" to number 17132
paso doble: Luis Cobos - Amparito Roca (J. Texidor)
freestyle: letka-jenkka / jive: Darling - Letkiss (Dub Dub Dubi Dubi Dub) (R. Lehtinen / A. Cisek / C. Meyer-Janson)

Mikko Kaasalainen & Adrienn Fitori are a Latin dance couple from Tampere. A native of Hungary, Adrienn has been living in Finland and representing Finland for the last four years.

Mikko and Adrienn, both 29, have been dancing as professionals since April this year. Before turning professional, they won the Finnish title three times and were the invincibles of all national competitions from 2004 through 2007.

On international arenas, Mikko and Adrienn scooped a silver medal in the European Union Latin Dance Championships in Riga in 2005 and won the North European title in the same city in 2006. As amateurs they won a number of medals and final placements in World Ranking competitions.

How did you end up as dancers?
Mikko: When I was younger I used to go in for many sports, but I chose dance, because it was the most fascinating and most challenging. I went into ecstasies when I saw the top dancers of the time in competition and I knew “this is the thing”.
Adrienn: As a child I was practising artistic gymnastics for seven years. At the time my big sister was dancing and I went to watch her training. I was interested and inspired by the fascinating and rhythmical movements that can express so much. Finally I became a dancer and my sister became a lawyer.

What does dancing mean to you?
M: It’s my whole life. It means training, work, competing and an overall passion.
A: Dancing is a way of life and an endless source of motivation.

How do you feel to be taking part in the first EDC and what do you expect of the national dance-off?
M: I’m extremely excited and I look forward to a thrilling and intensive event.
A: I’m extremely eager to take part in this competition, which is totally different from any of my previous competing experiences.

How would you find a trip to the Contest Final in London?
M: We are training in London monthly and it would be great to represent Finland in this familiar city.
A: It would be an honour to represent Finland in the London final and I really appreciate this opportunity.

What about your freestyle dance?
M & A: The idea is beginning to take shape, but the plan is not final yet. Something hot…

Masi Sauren and Bettina Karppinen
Voting number: 0700-717-08, or SMS "edc 8" to number 17132
salsa: Mamborama - Cuba Te Llama (B. Wolfer)
freestyle: polkka / boogie woogie: Werner Bros - Valkosen Oton polkka (traditional); Jam Rock Band - Rock 'n' rolli sielussa soi (A. Eriksson / P. Tanskanen)

Masi Sauren and Bettina Karppinen have been dancing together since autumn 2006. In a few months they have made a huge rise to the national top of rock’n’swing. Representing the Comets Dance Club in Helsinki, Masi and Bettina won bronze in national boogie woogie Champion A class in April.

Masi, born and bred in Helsinki, started his dancing career in 1998 when his sister encouraged him to join show dance classes. Over the years he has tried out several dances – in street and show dances he has won a number of national medals, three of them golden. Boogie woogie has been in his repertoire since 2001.

Bettina, born in Lahti, took up dancing in 1990. Her mother saw her dancing all the time at home and so she took her to a dance class. The girl was dreaming of a dancing career from the very beginning and her dream has come true. She was involved in competitive dancing up to Champion A class, until she discovered boogie woogie in 2006.

Dancing is a way of life to both Masi and Bettina. It is a part of their everyday life.

How do you feel to be taking part in the first EDC and what do you expect of the national dance-off?

It’s a great honour to be accepted into such a major event. We will stake everything and look forward to a good result.

How would you find a trip to the Contest Final in London?

If the audience elects us, we’ll be happy to go to London and put everything at stake. As Lordi puts it: DANCE HALLELUJAH!!

What about your freestyle dance?
Our freestyle dance has the required pinch of national flavour but also a pinch of something totally different. We won’t reveal any more, but we can promise swing and action!

06.07 Finnish broadcaster YLE has published list of participants and jury members for national preselection to  Eurotanssit, Eurovision Dance Contest. Jury members will be Marco Bjurstrom, Aira Samulin, Alpo Suhonen and Sirpa Suutari-Jaasko.
Alpo Suhonen is a former coach for the Finnish national ice hockey team from 1982 to 1986, married to the singer Sinikka Sokka, member of the group Agit-Prop, took part in Finnish ESC national final 1975 and 1980.
Erik & Sanna Hento, Jussi Vaananen & Katja Koukkula were participants of the 1st show "Tanssii tahtien kanssa", while Aleksi Seppanen (pictured) was winner of the 2nd edition partnered with Mariko.
Meanwhile YLE is also till August 15 accepting proposals from public members, what freedance with national flavour Finnish couple should present in London?
The ideas should be sent to eurotanssit@yle.fi or to post address Eurotanssit 2007, PL 196, 33101 Tampere
Телевидение Финляндии YLE опубликовало список участников и членов жюри национального отбора на Танцевальное Евровидение. Членами жюри станут  Marco Bjurstrom, Aira Samulin, Alpo Suhonen и Sirpa Suutari-Jaasko. Alpo Suhunen - бывший тренер сборной Финляндии по хоккею, муж певицы Sinikka Sokka, участницы группы Agit-Prop, принимавшей участие в Финских отборах на Евровидение 1975 и 1980.
Erik & Sanna Hento, Jussi Vaananen & Katja Koukkula были участниками 1го выпуска шоу "Tanssii tahtien kanssa", а Aleksi Seppanen стал победителем 2го сезона в паре с Mariko.
Тем временем YLE также до 15 августа принимает предложения от зрителей - какой танец свободного стиля с национальным колоритом финские танцоры должны исполнить в Лондоне? Идеи необходимо отправлять на эл.почту
eurotanssit@yle.fi или на почтовый адрес Eurotanssit 2007, PL 196, 33101 Tampere
Sami Helenius & Jutta Markkanen (pros 180/-/-) (pros 1922/-/-, amat 1581/1377/1493)
Erik & Sanna Hento (-/-)
Markus & Mariia Hirvonen (1/5/1) (342/769) (1667/1640/1572)
Mikko Kaasalainen & Adrienn Fitori (pros -/1914, amat -/1714)
Masi Sauren & Bettina Karppinen (rock'n'roll, 61th in world boogie-woogie)
Aleksi Seppanen & Elina Katainen (-/-)
Sami Vainionpaa & Merje Styf (3/-) (114/-) (1634/-)
Jussi Vaananen & Katja Koukkula (pros -/54) (pros -/1897, amat -/1709)
(Finnish ranking TST) (World Amateur Standard/Latin ranking IDSF or WDC, rank) (unofficial DanceSportInfo rating amateurs or professionals, Balroom/Latin/10 dance, points)
(Рейтинг Финляндия) (Рейтинг Мир любители Стандарт/Латино IDSF или WDC, ранг) (неофициальный рейтинг DanceSportInfo любители или профессионалы, стандарт/латино, баллы)

photo: DanceSportInfo
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21/06 Finnish broadcaster YLE has confirmed that it's national final for "Eurotanssit" will take place on the last possible selection date, August 25th and will be broadcasted live on YLE TV2. The format of the selection will be similar to ''Tanssii tahtien kanssa'', local version of "Dancing with Stars". Eight couples, accredited by Finnish Dance Sports Association, will take part in it, and audience via televoting and SMS calls will select winning couple. Jury's task will be to provide expert commentary. Participating couples and jury members will be announced on 5th of July. National Final will be hosted by Jaana Pelkonen (ESC 2007 hostess) and Simo Frangen. Website of the competition: http://www.yle.fi/eurotanssit/ Финская телекомпания YLE опубликовала информацию о проведении национального отбора на танцевальное Евровидение. Он состоится в последний разрешенный день для отборов - 25 августа и будет транслироваться в прямом эфире на телеканале YLE 2. Формат отбора будет похож на ''Tanssii tahtien kanssa'', местный вариант "Танцев со звездами". В финале примут участие 8 пар, аккредитованных Финской Ассоциацией Спортивных Танцев, победителей выберут телезрители. Задача жюри будет заключаться лишь в предоставлении экспертного комментария. Список участников и членов жюри будет объявлен 5го июля. Ведущими национального отбора станут Яана Пелконен (ведущая конкурса песни Евровидение 2007) и Симо Франген.
Вебсайт конкурса:
http://www.yle.fi/eurotanssit/