Euro 2020 Profile: Finland
Euro 2020 Trophy in St. Petersburg where Finland will play Russian and Belgium Credit: Extratime Team (ETPhotos)
Team: Finland
Manager: Markku Kanerva.
Group: B.
Other teams in group: Denmark, Russia, Belgium.
THE SQUAD
Finland’s 26-man panel includes few household names – but Republic of Ireland fans may be familiar with a number of their stars from last year’s UEFA Nations League campaign – yes, the UEFA Nations League if anyone remembers that at all.
Teemu Pukki – a teammate pf Adam Idah at Norwich City – will be hoping to bring his fine club form into Euro 2020.
Meanwhile, goalkeeper Lukas Hradecky of Bayer Leverkusen will be hoping that he is not too busy in this tournament.
The squad in full:
Goalkeepers: Lukas Hradecky (Bayer Leverkusen), Jesse Joronen (Brescia), Anssi Jaakkola (Bristol Rovers).
Defenders: Paulus Arajuuri (Pafos), Leo Vaisanen (Elfsborg), Sauli Vaisanen (Chievo), Daniel O’Shaughnessy (HJK Helsinki), Robert Ivanov (Warta Poznan), Jere Uronen (Genk), Nikolai Alho (MTK Budapest), Jukka Raitala (Minnesota United), Joona Toivio (Hacken), Robin Lod (Minnesota United), Pyry Soiri (Esbjerg fB).
Midfielders: Joni Kauko (Esbjerg), Onni Valakari (Pafos), Rasmus Schuller (Djurgarden), Thomas Lam (Zwolle), Tim Sparv (Larissa), Fredrik Jensen (Augsburg), Robert Taylor (Brann), Glen Kamara (Rangers).
Forwards: Lassi Lappalainen (Montreal), Teemu Pukki (Norwich), Joel Pohjanpalo (Bayer Leverkusen), Marcus Forss (Brentford).
HOW THEY GOT HERE
Finland made history by qualifying for their first ever major international football tournament by qualifying for Euro 2020.
They came second to top-seeds Italy in Group J, pipping Greece to the final automatic qualifying position by four points.
Home wins over Bosnia and Greece laid the platform for the Finns famous qualifying success – with Teemu Pukki’s 10 goals in qualifying setting them on their way.
KEY PLAYERS TO WATCH OUT FOR
Teemu Pukki: Unsurpsringly, Teemu Pukki goes into Euro 2020 with the hopes and dreams of his nation on his shoulder. But the Norwich City forward is nursing an injury ahead of the tournament – so Markku Kanerva will be hoping that that does derail his sides chances too much.
Pukki is a real threat playing on the shoulder of the defender – and with Finland likely to adopt a defence minded approach – should he be fit – Pukki will be hoping to live off scraps and ease the pressure off his side when possible with his goalscoring prowess.
Glen Kamara: Fresh from winning the Scottish top-flight with Glasgow Rangers – Glen Kamara will be hoping to make history with Finland at Euro 2020. The 25-year-old played for Arsenal during his formative years – before then moving to Scottish side Dundee, earning a move to Rangers off the back of it.
But the midfielder has become a key part of Finland’s recent success, and he will be hoping to propel his nation to an unforgettable summer.
WHERE THEY ARE PLAYING AND STAYING
Finland will take on two host nations in their opening two group games – versus Denmark in Copenhagen and against Russia in St Petersburg. They will then take on Belgium in St Petersburg.
Saturday 12 June 2021 Denmark vs Finland
Wednesday 16 June 2021 Finland vs Russia
Monday 21 June 2021 Finland vs Belgium
THREE INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT THE TEAM
Manager Markku Kanerva is a former primary school teacher – combining that with his playing career – and has been in charge of the Finnish national side since 2016.
This will be the first time Finland have ever reached a major tournament in their history – and they are also the only side in Euro 2020 to have never been at a World Cup.
Jari Litmanen is Finland’s highest ever capped player at 137 games – but in their current squad, Teemu Pukki is the highest cap holder with 90, while 34-year-old Tim Sparv has been capped 81 times for his country.
THEIR RECENT FORM
Finland have struggled for momentum since returning to international duty in 2021. They did in fact defeat France in a friendly last November, but they are winless in six since then.
And their last warm-up game before Euro 2020 saw them fall to a lowly 1-0 defeat versus Balkan rivals Estonia.
First game: Denmark vs Finland (Saturday June 12, 5pm).
