Huuhkaj is allowed to wait for a place in the final tournament, writes Anssi Karjalainen from Copenhagen.
For Huuhkaj, the EC final tournament is no longer a dream. That’s a realistic goal. Jussi Eskola
For the first time, Markku Kanerva is in a situation where he carries such significant result pressure on his shoulders at the helm of Huuhkajie.
In the fairytale-like previous European Championship qualifiers, Finland realized its dream. Now it is realizing its goalas “Rive” himself outlined on the eve of the opening of the qualifiers.
Huuhkaj is allowed to wait for the final tournament place. Denmark is the number one favorite in the group. Etap’s most important away matches are played in Belfast and Ljubljana. Slovenia may be an even more difficult obstacle than many expect. But by no means impossible to figure out.
What are the reasons for Parken’s miracle to happen again on Thursday? At least the fact that Denmark’s current condition is a complete mystery.
On paper, the team is again really strong and fully deservedly the biggest advance favorite in the group. However, it should not be forgotten that Kasper Hjulmand’s team played a catastrophic World Cup final tournament just over three months ago. The games ended after three preliminary group matches.
The Jutes, who previously charmed with an aggressive, fast-paced press, were in serious trouble in the ball stage in the heat of Qatar.
Now there are several fresh faces in the group, including Rasmus Höjlund, who is making a huge breakthrough in Atalanta, and has scored seven goals in Serie A.
Finland and Denmark are united by the fact that for the opening of both teams, there are young cards, previously unseen at this level. Anssi Suhonen and Oliver Antman’s final rise to the limelight can happen in the EC qualifiers. Kaan Kairise has everything to grab the opening spot in Huuhkajie’s midfield already on Thursday.