Denmark returned to their place in the H group of the European football qualifiers. There are gigantic stakes in the Huhkajie’s next match, writes Urheilu’s Jussi Vainikka from the Olympic Stadium.
Jussi Vainikka
Denmark’s head coach by Kasper Hjulmand the reaction told it. The three points from Helsinki were the result of hard work, and they were enough in the end by Pierre-Emile Höjbjerg goal in the 86th minute.
Hjulmand rushed to the side of the field to fan furiously with the rest of the team. Denmark’s away win was the first of the qualifiers.
At the other end of the emotional spectrum, Huuhkajie’s players collapsed on the grass at the final whistle. The fierce defensive battle was not enough, but even the players knew it – the better won.
Even in the first episode, Huuhkajie’s game looked promising. Hjulmand warned of the threat of Finland’s counterattack in an interview with Urheilu on Saturday, and the threat really existed. The last touch was just missing.
The second episode was completely Danish. Finland was rattled right away, but the tight defensive block held its ground. Pohjoikaarre and the entire stadium, which cheered with wild decibels, already had time to think on many occasions that their own head could stay clean again, but it turned out otherwise. Lukas Hradecky the clean streak that lasted almost five matches was broken after 446 minutes.
Finland will probably go to the October matches as the third in the group, as Slovenia will beat San Marino late at night.
Be that as it may, next Huuhkajat travels to Ljubljana as a guest of Slovenia. A real match of destiny is ahead.
In June, Slovenia was able to grab a point from Denmark, but on the other hand, they still have to play difficult away matches in Copenhagen and Belfast. There has been no help for Finland from Northern Ireland, but as the Huuhkajat experienced in March, points are not coming from Belfast. Finland played there in March, its weakest match of the qualifiers, but somehow managed to scratch the full points pot.
The Hooters’ remaining home games are against Kazakhstan and Northern Ireland. Finland also has the advantage of the away match in San Marino in the last round.
Markku Kanerva fingers crossed that the key players stay healthy in their club teams for the next few weeks. Like a comet, who rose to the national team in the last year Oliver Antman limped ominously after leaving the booth after the Denmark game. According to Kanerva, he suffered a groin injury in the match.
Group H of the qualifiers is shaping up to be a real thriller. Pre-favorite Denmark returned to the driver’s seat in Helsinki. On Sunday, Kazakhstan tied with Huuhkajie again, but to be honest, they are unlikely to fight for the top positions until the end.
So it seems strongly that the second competition place will be decided between Huuhkaji and Slovenia.
A huge football autumn is ahead.
23.3. Denmark–Finland 3 to 1
26.3. Northern Ireland–Finland 0–1
16.6. Finland–Slovenia 2–0
19.6. Finland–San Marino 6–0
7.9. Kazakhstan–Finland 0–1
10.9. Finland–Denmark 0–1
Sat 14.10. at 19 Slovenia–Finland
Tue 17.10. at 19 Finland–Kazakhstan
Fri 17.11. at 19 Finland–Northern Ireland
Mon 20.11. at 21:45 San Marino–Finland
The best two of the group will qualify for the summer 2024 European Championships, which will be played in Germany.
shows all Huuhkajie’s qualifying matches live.