Helmarit was left at the feet of his betters – but which of the players made a difference? This Finnish star could fit in the group of the top teams as well

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Finland’s matches in the opening group of the European football championships ended with a 0–3 loss against Germany. Three matches, three losses and a goal difference of 1–8 left the team with nothing to worry about.

In the EC tournament, Finland had four shots at the opponent’s goal, the fewest in the entire tournament. Opponents had 84 scoring attempts towards Finland’s goal in three matches.

It was known in advance that Helmarit will play in the toughest opening group of the games, when the opponents were perennially successful Germany, Denmark, the silver medalist of the last games, and Spain, who became one of the biggest champion favorites.

In any case, Finland’s playing and coaching solutions garnered a lot of criticism during the tournament. Sports expert Jonne Kunnas said after the Germany game that he was particularly disappointed that Finland was unable to challenge its opponents “practically at all”.

Finland simply did not succeed as a team. Then it is difficult to single out individuals – let’s talk about successes or failures.

When Finland had to constantly defend deep in their own area, and the opponent created situations and crosses from the assembly line, it was inevitable that at some point there would be a rattle in their own team.

On the other hand, the opponents dulled the strengths of the blue and whites, such as quick counter-attacks.

– The team has certain frameworks for how to play, and if those frameworks are well built, then the individuals come out better. When talking about the challenges of Finland’s way of playing, then individuals and their strengths don’t come to the fore, says Urheilu’s expert Liisa-Maija Rautio.

This does not mean that individuals who appeared in a positive light could not be singled out among the Helmars. Here are the highlights of the tournament in Finland.

Finnish goalkeeper Tinja-Riikka Korpela was sidelined from the Germany match due to corona infection, but the captain proved his worth in the Spain and Denmark matches. From Urheilu’s experts, both Kunnas and Rautio see that Korpela definitely belongs on the list of successful people.

Korpela made a total of 13 saves in two matches, and kept Finland in the fight for points against Denmark for a long time.

– Korpela’s importance to the team is great through leadership. Even though there were difficult games and we were underdogs, Korpela’s mental strength and saves played a big role, says Liisa-Maija Rautio.

– I feel that an experienced player can lead the team through the match and brings certainty. He gave Finland a chance when they had to make bigger saves, praises Jonne Kunnas.

Kunnas brings forward from the defensive line Natalia Kuikan. The 26-year-old defender’s entire tournament was at stake when he fell ill before the tournament at the Dutch camp.

Kuikka just said goodbye to the Games, and came on the field against Spain as a substitute. In the match against Denmark, Kuikka was able to open, and he clearly brought new leadership and strength in many areas to the defensive line of Helmariten.

– Kuikka is one of the Finnish players who proved in every game that he belongs to the top of the world, or at least close to it, Kunnas says.

– Confident in the direction of defense, brought certainty to duels and the operation of the line. In terms of attack, he is such that he can bring the ball out of tight spaces.

Kunnas sums up that Kuikka is one of the Finnish players who would certainly fit into the composition of many tougher EC teams.

Finland’s defense line, which has remained very unchanged in recent years, means a lot due to illness. The winger who played in the opening match Tuija Hyyrynen was sidelined for the last two games due to corona, and as mentioned, Kuikka started against Spain on the bench.

Elli Pikkujämsän the experts are somewhat divided about the selection for the list, but Rautio wants to raise the 22-year-old Örebro player to success.

Pikkujämsä had to change the playing position between top and winger in the middle of the match against both Spain and Germany. In those matches, he started as a starter, against Denmark on the left wing.

– It really demands a lot from the player that the role clearly changes in the middle of the game. Considering that, I’m satisfied with Pikkujämsä’s playing. I see that the defensive problems were more due to collective action, Rautio says.

Essi Sainio was, like Pikkujämsä, one of those players who got more playing time than was believed before the tournament.

HJK’s Sainio and Åland United’s topper Anna Westerlund were the only players from the domestic National League in the Helmariten competition team. Sainio got playing time on the right side of the midfield when by Adelina Engman hamstring started to hurt in the opening match against Spain.

Especially in the match against Denmark, when he was in the starting line-up, Sainio performed to his advantage.

– He plays in Finland, but he performs very well even in tougher games. His feet move easily, his defensive aggressiveness and playing with the ball are at such a level that he belongs to the best as an experienced player, Rautio praises the 35-year-old Sainiota.

– I was very satisfied with the way he replaced Engman.

Even though Finland’s attacks were few and far between, the importance of an experienced top player cannot be underestimated.

Linda Sällström34, was responsible for Finland’s only hit of the tournament and the biggest moment of joy with a real trademark goal right in the opening minute of the match against Spain.

– In terms of results and from the point of view of elite sports, it is a good thing that the goal came and that the attacker is able to score. It must have been a big deal for Linda, says Rautio.

Kunnas thinks that Sällström fits perfectly with the way Finland tries to play.

– He is a fast player who is good at attacking from behind. In the Spain match, he showed that he can give Finland an advantage in that way.

– He has developed a bit more versatile over the years, although he has maintained his speed. He is better able to work with the ball when he gets out of the back and gets the ball at his feet. An important player for the Finnish team.

Who will score the opening goal of the match and at what minute? Bet on the opening goalscorer of every European Championship match at Futistietäjä. The prize for the closest correct guess is a technical ball.