The competitions went according to expectations, but hopefully the future will be brighter, writes Urheilu’s editor Hinni Hirvonen.
17.7.•Updated 17.7.
Three games, three losses.
That’s how it was expected to go. Even Monika didn’t give Finland any more chances after the European Championship groups were drawn in October last year.
In the opinion of many, the question was rather whether Helmarit will even score in the tournament. The national team’s all-time top scorer by Linda Sällström the lightning goal in the Spanish net was a great win for the doubters, but after that the ride was cold.
Finland fought against Denmark for a long time, but Pernille Harderin after the lead goal, it seemed that the team was mainly looking for a loss with as few goals as possible: the removal of the top scorer and replacing him with a midfielder a quarter of an hour before the final whistle caused great surprise.
Germany, who came against the last in the final fight, showed where the top of the world goes. Finland is unfortunately far from that at the moment, and in danger of falling even further.
Finland has won three of the matches it has played in the past year: twice against Georgia, ranked 124th in the world, and in Turku in September 2021, Slovakia 2–1. It is true that Helmarit specifically wanted to face the world’s top countries during the Games in order to prepare for a tough match, but that does not change the fact that, for example, in the World Cup qualifiers, Finland has lost points against both Ireland and Slovakia.
To look for a similar losing streak, you have to go all the way back to 2007. At that time, Helmarit played 14 winless matches while preparing for the 2009 EC home games. The opponents were also from the top of the world: the United States, Germany, Sweden…
In the home games, however, Finland won its first two matches. This summer, the question arises mainly, what was the benefit of the tough preparatory matches?
Already in the EC qualifiers, questions were raised by the small number of substitutions. The head coach Anna Signeul has trusted his opening like a mountain, and hasn’t made changes except when forced to. The same was also seen at the European Championships: new players were given responsibility when the veterans had to stay on the sidelines due to the corona.
Going into the European Championships, we knew that the opposition would be tough, but regardless: in elite sports, you have to go out and win.
It’s hard with this game. Finland had four shots on goal in the three matches it played in the EC tournament, the fewest in the entire tournament. Opponents had 84 scoring attempts towards Finland’s goal in three matches.
However, the European Championships are only a natural continuation of a minor winning streak. The helmets’ game showed no signs of improvement in the European Championships, and the same problems continued. The difficulties of defending the Boks have been talked about for a long time, but the truth is that the opponent got to the goal posts far too often. The attacking play, on the other hand, was unimaginative.
Head coach Signeul has been in the eye of the storm during the tournament due to reports on his management style. Signeuli’s contract is valid until the end of the year, and the management of the Swedish Football Association did not comment on the fate of the Swedish pilot. The president of the football association Ari Lahten discussions are scheduled to take place after the European Championships, and the players will also be heard in them.
Anna Signeul has also brought good things to the national team – for example, the level of demands. In his era, women received equal compensation with men.
However, it is difficult to see that Signeul would continue at the helm of Finland in the World Cup struggles. Helmarit is still fighting for a place in the World Cup, but with these performances it will be difficult to topple Sweden and Ireland.
Helmarit deserves a new start.