Helmarit will play a away match in Serbia on Friday. Finland is preparing for the summer European Championships against weaker teams in the League B league.
Helmarit starts with the League’s away matches against Serbia and Hungary. Fri 21.2. The studio section of the Serbia match to be played starts at 6:40 pm and the match itself will be kicked off at 7 pm The game live on TV2 and Arena.
The Finnish women’s soccer team Helmarit will start preparing for the summer European Championships on Friday. Finland plays in the B-League for the second time in the League of Nations.
Finnish head coach Marko Saloranta However, it has stated that the gaze must not yet be too much in the summer value tournament.
-The first slide of the first team meeting dealt with the European Championships. Then we put it on the lid. Of course, there are things that are related to the European Championships, but now we are focusing on how we win Serbia and Hungary, says Saloranta.
Finland will go to those matches without one of its trunk players when Eveliina Summanen is on the sidelines because of injury. In addition Catherine Kosola Not playing at least on Friday due to illness.
– We get really good players from us – that’s quite clear. Jutta Rantala It has been really effective in both the club and the national team. Elli Pikkujämsä has been out for a long time. Of course, this is not ideal, but we don’t go hiding behind it, says Saloranta.
Spring success will make it easier for the World Cup qualifiers
For Finland, the form of competition in the League of Nations is almost the same as the first time. Two years ago, Finland won its own block in the B league and rose to the A-League. The group victory meant that the team secured its place in the European Championship qualifier.
Finland was the last of its A-League European Championship qualifier, which led to a fall. That’s why Finland plays again in the League B league, where opponents are a degree weaker.
This time, the stake is a slightly easier route to the 2027 World Cup. B-league winners will rise to the A-League. B-League group winners will play World Cup qualifiers in the A-League, which will ensure the place for World Cup qualifying.
The B-League Block Play plays up qualifying matches against the A-League block trio. The top two of the B-League, the top two of the C-League, were eliminated against the top two blocks in the C league. The two of the weakest of the B-League and the fourth ones in their blocks fall directly to the C-League.
The A -League’s group winners and seconds proceed to the Nations League’s playoffs, where they are aiming for the entire league.
Serbia by far the hardest opponent
On Friday, Finland will start the League of Nations with a away match in Stara Pazova, Serbia. Serbia is by far the toughest opponent in the B-League-a team that could well be in the summer European Championship, says head coach Saloranta.
According to him, Serbia was convincingly played in advance against tougher teams last year. FIFA-Ranking 34 Serbia lost to Iceland (FIFA-Ranking 14th) in February 2024. In November of that year, the team also succeeded in their home match against Sweden (5th), although eventually lost 0-8.
– In addition, Serbia’s games have emphasized how good they are at home. Serbia clearly won Slovakia (49th), teased Sweden until the end and could have done a better result against Iceland.
Serbia is a quality team with quality players. The brightest star is a central striker Jovana Damnjanovicwho plays a big role in German club Bayern Munich.
Expert: “Matches don’t make a game”
Despite the above, Finland (26th) is a clear advance favorite in its block. In addition to Serbia, Hungary (46th) and Belarus (50th) play in the group.
National Team Midfield Ria Öling Says Finland wants to return to the A-League. At the same time, he estimates that Finland got a relatively hard block in the B league.
– Maybe a good level meter, so hopefully we can develop our own play.
Defender Eva Nyström In turn, opponents do not fall in the top European countries. Still, he believes in challenging matches, especially on the guest fields.
– We have talked to the team that we are now focusing on these peoples’ league games. Personally, those European Championships are my main goals, but in order to get there, these matches also have to be done well, says Nyström.
Sports Expert Essi Sainio It is of the opinion that the League League matches do not play Finland for the main goal of the summer, the European Championships. The games serve as a screen for players, says the expert.
– These matches are played at the racing venues. Finland has a big player, tough competition and a lot of injuries. Each player has to think about how they are at their best and how to redeem their place for the race machine, Sainio estimates.