Montenegro will host Finland in the European Championship play-off on Friday, October 25. The match starts at 17:30. Broadcast on TV2, Areena and the app from 17:10.
The striker situation of the Finnish women’s national football team speaks volumes. Helmarit is chasing a valuable place in the European Championship and will start its further qualification against Montenegro away from home on Friday.
The star striker of Leicester, who belongs to the top caste of Helmaret’s attacking equipment Jutta Rantala is injured. Experienced Linda Sällström on the other hand, has suffered from scoring difficulties in the Swedish Damallsvenskan. I am Sevenius has suffered from injuries and has not fit into AC Milan’s lineup.
Would this be a pretty good place for someone who plays for Real Sociedad? To Sanni Franss?
Last season, Franssi was on fire at the end of the season. This year, the Finn scored a total of six goals for the San Sebastian club during the spring. Franssi was also rumored to join the English Super League in the spring due to his strong performances, but he himself pointed to the transfer rumors with a glove.
In the season that started in the fall, Franssi has scored once in seven matches in the shirt of the pride of the Basque Country. However, the role is established. Previously, the Finn was also played in the midfield, but now he plays regularly as an attacker.
National team responsibility has become smaller. Franssi has mainly been a substitute player in the national team even when things have been tough in the club team. If the training matches are not counted, he has played a full game in the Helmarit jersey last at the European Championships in the summer of 2022 against Denmark.
Franssi answers Urheilu’s question about his national team responsibility in the same way as his Huuhkajat colleague, who was disappointed with his role in the Finnish national team Joel Pohjanpalo previously.
– Everyone who is here (in the national team) is disappointed if they don’t play. And if anyone isn’t disappointed, they’re in the wrong place. I am by no means satisfied or about to be satisfied with this situation, Franssi begins.
– I have also accepted that there are certain things that I can do myself and there are things that are not under my control. The choices are made by someone other than me, I accept that and help my team in any way I can.
The gameplay would also work
In principle, Franssi’s place in the opening should not depend on the level of performance.
Franssi has scored a total of 33 goals in the 125 matches he has played in the Spanish premier league so far. In his best season in 2020–21, he scored 11 goals.
The comparison to Pohjanpalo, who excelled in his club teams, but played a smaller role in the men’s national team, amuses Franssi.
– I haven’t really followed the situation of “Jolle” enough to be able to take a position on whether we are in a similar situation, he answers with a smile.
In terms of playing style, Franssi feels that Helmarie’s current way of playing serves him. Nowadays, Finland keeps the ball for longer periods and also creates scoring threats other than by counterattacking. He considers himself an adaptable and versatile attacker.
– I myself play in Spain in a team that specifically wants to keep the ball. Playing with the ball is one of my strengths and the series I play in is technical. The way I play suits my strength, but I’m also fast, so I can make vertical runs if necessary, Franssi describes.
Saloranta shared the praise
The head coach Marko Saloranta says that he is not worried about the attacker situation. The situation on the eve of the important further qualifying games does not bring the pain of selection in advance, even if the shortcomings are visible.
– The absence of a player of Jutta Rantala’s level is definitely visible somewhere. Still, I can’t be worried about this situation myself, we have attackers in the team who have played a lot for their clubs.
When Saloranna is asked about Franssi’s situation and comparing him to Pohjanpalo, who plays in the men’s national team, the head coach thinks for a moment.
– However, Sanni has played a lot for us. But, as mentioned, he hasn’t started much. However, it (choice) depends a lot on the opponent and what kind of attacking pairs we are going to play with. For example, we don’t want two identical attackers on the field, Saloranta thinks.
The head coach gives Franssi praise for the previous international window at the beginning of the summer.
– It was very good from him both in terms of training and games. Likewise, his start in Spain has now also been good.
According to Saloranta, Real Sociedad’s choice of venue for Finns is also a favor to the national team.
– Now he plays as a striker there, which is what we want here as well. It also makes Sanni easier to play. In this qualifying window, his performance has looked very good in all training sessions.
In Montenegro, Franss doesn’t necessarily have to help his team only through the bench.
Finland meets Montenegro in a two-part EC women’s football qualifying round. The first leg starts on Friday 25.10. at 5:30 p.m. Broadcast on TV2, Areena and the app from 17:10.