Teimuraz "Temo" Apriamashvili

JäPS, Head of Coaching

Together with Temo, we carried out a four-session observation process aimed at making his own behavioural patterns visible and using that awareness to build the conditions for peak experiences.

I joined Coaching Spot's process because I wanted to develop myself as a coach, gain new perspectives on my own work, and challenge my own thinking. I believe that learning as a coach continues throughout one's career, and that made this opportunity valuable for me.

During the process, my biggest insight was understanding more deeply how important the coach's communication, presence, and the training environment are for player development. I learned to observe my own actions more consciously and to notice more clearly how my way of being in training affects the players.

My way of working in training and with the players has become calmer, more structured, and more participatory. I listen more, observe more carefully, and give players more opportunities to discover and solve situations themselves. This has brought more clarity to my coaching and helped me look at the training environment more broadly than just through the exercise itself.

The open discussions and the moments where we genuinely stopped to evaluate my own coaching stayed with me the most. They gave me many new ideas and also strengthened my awareness of my own strengths. I found the process valuable because it connected everyday coaching practice, self-reflection, and concrete tools in a very practical way.

I recommend this kind of process to coaches and clubs that want to develop coaching in a practical but also deeper way. The process helps you look at your own actions from a new perspective and gives tools for everyday coaching work.

I want to warmly thank you for the whole process. This journey was useful, educational, and meaningful for me. I am grateful for the support, feedback, and discussions. I feel that I have grown during this process both as a coach and as a person, and I will carry these learnings with me into the future.

Toni Anttila

HPS, Head of Coaching (Girls)

I joined the training because I had heard a lot of positive feedback about it from my colleagues, and I believed that its different approach could offer me a new way to strengthen my own development as a coach.

The biggest insight was related to my own interaction: where I direct my gaze during conversations and what kinds of words I use without noticing them myself. During the training, I began to pay more attention to how I am present in training sessions and how I communicate with the players.

My way of being in training sessions and with the players has become calmer and slightly more analytical. I now observe more consciously how my own interaction affects the players during practice.

The final training session was especially memorable. I noticed that I was actively thinking about the things that can help create the conditions for a peak experience. I applied them consciously and was also able to observe how this affected the players.

I would recommend this kind of experience to coaches and clubs because it offers a new perspective on player development through the coach's own actions.

Joni Knuutinen

HPS, Head of Coaching (Boys)

We worked with Joni through a four-session observation package. The goal was to make his coaching patterns visible and to build peak experiences in training systematically through playfulness.

Coaches already have a great deal of knowledge about coaching, and information is constantly becoming more accessible. A good coach stands out by being able to communicate skillfully, in an engaging way, and in a manner that takes the players' age into account. Many coaches know a lot about the sport itself, but in my view they could achieve even greater impact through more skillful interaction.

During the training, I realized that my own behavior—especially my nonverbal communication (how I stand, how I use my hands, etc.)—began to influence the players' energy levels. An enthusiastic coach clearly gets much more attention. I now use my choice of words and phrases more deliberately and communicate more clearly through them. As a result, communication has become clearer and players grasp more quickly what they are expected to learn.

What especially stayed with me from the final training session was the emphasis on bringing playfulness into every part of the practice. I succeeded in "lifting" the atmosphere of the games to a level that felt exceptionally positive, visible as strong engagement and effort during play. The players played as if it were the final of the Champions League and, above all, genuinely enjoyed what they were doing.

A coach's skillful interaction (both verbal and nonverbal) has a significant impact on players' energy levels and learning. This has been discussed before, of course, but the training provided concrete tools for creating peak experiences and meaningful training environments for players.

Ilpo "Ile" Verno

Head Coach, HPS boys born in 2013

We worked with Ile for about a year. The goal was to review his coaching style holistically, create peak experiences through it, and transfer the key learnings to the wider coaching team.

I coach HPS boys born in 2013, and previously I felt that both our training sessions and matches had a certain atmosphere—one that could be described as "doing what is necessary." In addition, some players did not dare to challenge more advanced players. I wanted to create a more energetic and dynamic environment where development is a core value, because that is essential if players are to progress toward higher levels.

I have a long background as a player and have coached for quite some time, so I feel confident in my understanding of football theory. Our Head of Coaching suggested that I meet with Mirko Kareinen, as he had discussed with him before and had become interested in Mirko's expertise. I myself was also seeking ideas to develop my coaching. Already in our first conversation, Mirko helped me understand that coaching is not only about what you say, but above all about how you say it.

We started a project that lasted almost a year, focusing on facial expressions, word choices, and vocal emphasis that support coaching situations. Mirko observed training sessions and matches, and the discussions afterward—where we went through his observations—were particularly valuable. Together, we built a concrete structure and approach for how different aspects should be emphasized in training.

The results were clearly visible: the atmosphere in training became more energetic and dynamic, and I gained clear tools for addressing situations on the field in the right way. Mirko's expertise and practical guidance have been extremely valuable. I warmly recommend Mirko to anyone who wants to develop their coaching communication and create a positive, goal-oriented environment within their team.

Jesse Mertanen

Vitical Esports, Partnerships

We worked with Jesse when Coaching Spot was involved in esports operations. We supported esports players both in their game performance and in the everyday factors around performance.

We have been cooperating with Mirko for 3-4 months now and I am really satisfied with the cooperation between us. Things are handled honestly and as agreed and when discussing things, the conversation is genuine and both parties are able to ask questions and discuss their issues openly and in a good mood.

The conversation doesn't even have to be weekly, we have even gone a month without contacting others, but as soon as the matter comes up, just send a message and the meeting can be arranged very easily and things will be taken care of again without any problems.

You also learn a lot when talking with Mirko, and his way of dealing with things is really clear and understandable, and it also affects the outcome of things positively. I am already really satisfied with our current cooperation and I expect it to continue for a long time!

Riksa

Enhanced Esports, eSports player

We worked with Riksa for nearly two years as both a mental performance coach and a player agent. Our goal was to support him holistically in both performance and contract-related matters.

Mirko has been a really important factor in the development of my playing career.

In addition to handling all kinds of contract negotiations first-class, Mirko has also acted as a problem solver in various in-game as well as external challenges.

I have learned from him, among other things, leadership skills, new thought patterns and in general how the mind works and how to control it.

Jonathan Samson

Coaching Spot Oy, Employee

Jonathan worked at Coaching Spot Oy for about a year while Mirko was part of the Neuro Change Institute. His role was to lead the first conversations with prospective coaches and assess their fit for the team. 

It was an amazing experience working with Mirko Kareinen. He is a very talented and focused person with his work.

I had learnt a lot while working with him. He knows his strengths and also knows how he can handle his challenges. Whenever there was a challenging situation he faced it with calmness and he has got enough skills to overcome the hurdles. He always remains positive.

I wish him best of luck in the future. I do wish to work with him again!

Miikka Kareinen

Westend Indians, #23, Athlete

We supported Miikka as a mental performance coach for nearly two years. The work covered both life and sport—helping him bring out the best version of himself.

Mirko is an insightful, thought-provoking and reliable coach.

I feel the key ability in Mirko is to challenge you in a comfortable way - I have been able to pinpoint blindspots in my own mental schemes throughout our journey.

Mirko is very attentive, good listener, able to hear and see also the things between-lines and/or unspoken ones. Would recommend 100% Mirko for similar positions!!

Alexia Muzin

Neuro Change Institute®, Team member

We mentored Alexia during the Neuro Change Institute period. The goal was to support her in starting her business, training as a mental performance coach, and building her own client base.

I'm so glad to have Mirko's support every week as his client! As a coach, he is always giving me new perspectives & practical solutions on my problematics.

The support I gain from him is amazing and every week I'm looking forward to have our session. He knows how to listen, to motivate me when I'm down but also to create a safe space for me to open up without being afraid of being judged. I feel I can tell him everything, really!

I also love the fact that he is sharing his personal stories when appropriate. Thank you Mirko for being an amazing coach & human being.