Finland claimed an away win in Reykjavik.
Jutta Rantala completed Finland’s winning goal in Reykjavik. ARCHIVE PHOTO Juha Tamminen / AOP
This summer’s biggest ball-playing event, the women’s World Cup tournament, starts in just under a week in New Zealand and Australia.
Before that, the Finns can still enjoy a treat from the very top of the sport, as Helmarit prepares for the upcoming Nations League in the fall with two practice matches.
On Friday, the team played against Iceland, ranked 15th in the Fifa ranking, in Reykjavik.
The head coach Marko Saloranta chose practically the strongest possible lineup for the field, which went out to challenge the Icelanders without prejudice.
After a little fumbling at the beginning, Helmarit took a clear command in the match. Finland’s strong phase reached its peak Eveliina Summanen for a great long haul. Summanen bombed the ball into the net from almost 30 meters after 26 minutes had been played.
– It’s nice to get into the statistics. It’s quite windy here, and I don’t know if that mattered, Summanen reflected after the match.
However, the most dangerous player in the opening period had also excelled in the Champions League final Sveindis Jónsdóttir, who conjured the ball from almost nowhere into the post of the Finnish goal after just over half an hour. Right at the end of the opening period, the Wolfsburg star forced himself into the goal, but the goalkeeper Tinja-Riikka Korpela made a great save with his foot.
In the second period, Finland’s offensive game started to lean even more by Linda Sällström to speed. Jónsdóttir was replaced after an hour, which clearly made the work of the Finnish toppers easier.
Rantala struck
Just a couple of minutes later, Helmarit struck a second time. Katarina Kosola broke from the wing and passed the ball to the back Talk to Rantala. Vittsjö’s professional shot the ball straight from the pass into the roof of the goal.
Finland couldn’t enjoy the two-goal lead because Berling Rós Ágústdóttir took advantage of the defense falling asleep and scored the tying goal just a couple of minutes later.
However, Helmarit did not get nervous at any point, and it had no trouble holding on to its valuable 2-1 away win. Finland has now won all six matches played in the side this year.
The pipeline can get even longer on Tuesday, when Scotland comes to visit Tampere.
– It doesn’t matter who we play against, because we are always looking for a win. The game went today and we were well prepared. The win increases our self-confidence again, Summanen continued.
With these fins, Finland will seriously start looking for promotion to the A level of the Nations League. Iceland issued a storm warning for Croatia, Romania and Slovakia playing in the same group as Helmari.
– There is a really good feeling in the team. It’s nice to get together and play these matches. However, let’s go one match at a time. Hopefully we can get people moving on Tuesday.