Helmarit has been allowed to bask in front of unprecedented attention at the European Championships. Professionalism also brings with it criticism and goals. The mere joy of participating will not be enough in the future, writes Urheilu’s editor Hinni Hirvonen.
There were no football players who sold their country on the sunny lawn of Stowe on Wednesday.
No, even though the dream of a place in the European Championship had been crushed just fifteen hours earlier.
While watching the cricket match and performing a restorative yoga exercise, the jokes of the Helmare players did not fly at quite the same pace as before during the EC tournament and the preparatory camp for it, but they changed nonetheless.
Maybe that sums up the essential: even when watching the group draws, it was clear to most that Finland’s chances of surviving the next round were practically non-existent, so the team was drawn into a tough “death group”.
The underdog position has suited the Helmaris well, as there has been almost no pressure to succeed. When watching the substitution decisions in the Denmark match, it sometimes felt that instead of an equalization, they wanted to ensure as few goals as possible in the loss.
However, it shouldn’t be.
Some of the players were more disappointed than others on Wednesday. Especially the substitute players who came to the interview point took the situation hard.
Jenny Danielsson came close to equalizing the game against Denmark, although he did not enter the field until the 90th minute. The head coach Anna Signeul hasn’t really given opportunities to players outside the almost established opening except when forced to, and hasn’t done it in the EC final tournament either.
It’s hard to show your skills in two minutes.
One of the strengths of the Helmares lies in their unity and strong team spirit. However, half of the team hasn’t had the chance to show their skills in the national team for years.
It’s hard to believe that the situation wouldn’t affect team spirit.
Finland’s EC tournament has also been overshadowed by the head coach Anna Signeulin coming into the eye of the storm due to allegations against his management style.
The players have not seemed to be affected by the commotion, but at media events they have often received a briefing from the spokesperson before coming to the interview.
Sports journalism also includes critical questions, and the women’s national team has been able to be relatively quiet about them in recent years. And the situation does not only concern the national football team, but women’s sports in general, but that is the place for its own comment.
However, now Helmarit has been allowed to bask in the face of unprecedented attention. England’s European Championships are more visible than ever before. The interest is unprecedented and the sport is taking huge steps forward.
Professionalism also brings with it criticism and goals. The mere joy of participating will not be enough in the future.
Helmarit has diligently communicated that to the outside world. The fans have also embraced the happy team – in England, the atmosphere in the stands has been amazing. More than a thousand Finns have traveled to England to cheer on their own and have stood by the team even in moments of defeat.
The meeting between fans and players after the Spain match was certainly a memorable experience for many, as was playing in front of a record crowd for the players. Olga Ahtinen revealed at the press conference that, for example, the coaches’ instructions did not belong on the field – and many players are not used to that.
Women’s football is moving forward at a furious pace, but if Finland wants to stay involved in the development, it is not possible to just ride on the competition site and with a good feeling.
Head coach Anna Signeul will step down at the end of the year at the latest, and it will be interesting to see who will take her place. It must also be remembered that staying involved in the development is not based solely on the head coach. In the next couple of years, the Finnish Football Association has a good place to show whether it really values women’s football as much as it lets on.