Helmarit made it to the real dream group in the EC initial group draw in Lausanne.
Sanni Franssi (left) leads Helmarie’s offensive game in next July’s EC final tournament. PDO
Finland was undeniably lucky when Sami Khedira lifted the team out of the European Championship draw as the first of the countries in the quadruple basket.
– From the Secretary General (Marco Casagrande) there was even a sound of ventilation next to it. On the other side, the chairman seems to have (Ari Lahti) the same thing, Helmarie’s head coach Marko Saloranta repeated the reaction over the phone.
Finland plays in Group A together with host country Switzerland and two Nordic teams (Norway and Iceland).
– I calmed down myself. I usually can’t keep goals inside. Without anything else, I’m satisfied. It was a relief.
This time, Helmarit avoided all possible pitfalls and got into a block where it fights for the next place on an equal footing with the others.
– There was a chance to be in the groups of France and England or Germany, Denmark and Sweden, the head coach said.
– As far as I can remember, this is the first time after a draw that I can say that I am satisfied. Of the blocks, that is clearly the most suitable for sports, Saloranta continued.
“Warms the mind”
“Sportsmanship” in this context means the easiest possible block. In the most recent Fifa ranking, Finland is in 26th place and all of its EC opponents are within striking distance.
Norway is on the same list at number 16, Iceland is 14th and Switzerland is 23rd.
– It is very pleasing that the host country is also involved. It warms the mind.
At the same time, however, the head coach emphasizes that the next place is in no way announced in the church. The matches must be played first – and preferably also won.
– Our goal all along has been that mere participation is not enough. The idea is not to go home after three games.
Marko Saloranta (left) posed together with Norway’s head coach Gemma Grainger, Iceland’s Porsteinn Halldorsson and Switzerland’s Pia Sundhagen (right). EPA / AOP
Finland lost all of its matches in the previous EC final tournament in England 2022. In the Swedish tournament in 2013, Helmarit managed to draw ties with Italy and Denmark. Both times the road rose right after the initial block phase.
Now the games are supposed to continue. The route seems to be open to at least the top eight.
– The next place is realism, but it is still an extremely hard goal. And we will definitely be chasing it tooth and nail.
“Hard gauge”
The last time Finland played against Norway was last summer in Turku in the European Championship qualifier. Then Emma Koiviston a goal scored in extra time guaranteed a 1–1 draw.
– Norway has world-class players on the offensive end, Saloranta pointed out by Carolina Grahan Hansen and by Ada Hegerberg like world stars.
The away game played in Oslo ended 4–0 for Norway.
– In the best games, we have been able to keep them at bay. In the first game of the qualifiers, we couldn’t do it, but in terms of play, we are on par with them.
– But we have to be absolutely dead in order to cope with them.
The Icelandic Helmarit went to win in Reykjavik a good year ago Eveliina Summanen and Jutta Rantala’s story with goals 2–1.
– It also has top individuals, but overall we controlled the game there and deserved the victory. Of course, it requires top-notch success from us.
Jutta Rantala was just chosen as the female player of the year in Finland. TOMI NATRI / AOP
Finland has not played against Switzerland in recent years. The previous match ended in a 0–0 draw in Biel in the spring of 2019.
– It is perhaps the closest to our basic level. It’s also a tough team, but I think we’ll be able to control the match for long stretches if necessary.
Finland starts the tournament on its opening day (July 2) in Thun against Iceland. The match against Norway will be played in Sion on July 6. and host country Switzerland will meet in Geneva in the final match of the initial group stage on July 10.
– Switzerland rose back to the Nations A-League. It’s not a weak team. There are none in this tournament. Even then, the meter is pretty tough.