In these matters, the renewed Owls need to improve – according to the expert, Glen Kamara’s role is invaluable: “Finland plays better”

The owls will face Bosnia and Herzegovina today at the Helsinki Olympic Stadium. The broadcast will be available on TV2 and Areena from 18.00. The match itself starts at 7 p.m.

The Finnish men’s national football team has been on the verge of change since last summer’s European Championships. Head coach Markku Kanerva led Huuhkajat to the European Championship finals for the first time in history, but now is the time for a new era. The owls are turning their attention to the European Championships in Germany in the summer of 2024 on Saturday, when Finland will face Bosnia and Herzegovina at the Olympic Stadium.

From experienced players Tim Sparv, Paulus Arajuuri and Joona Toivio left goodbye to the national team after the World Cup qualifiers that ended in November. Sports Expert Miika Nuutinen goes through where the Owls shone on their way to the European Championships and perks what the game needs to develop with the new project.

The biggest strengths of the Owners game are related to blocking goal scoring situations, defending special situations and quick counter-attacks Teemu Pukin under.

– These are very typical strengths of a smaller football country. More than the average European country has been hit against owls, but on the other hand the quality of the shots has been clearly lower. This shows that the Owners’ defense has managed to keep the opponent away from dangerous targets, Nuutinen opens.

According to Nuutinen, the head coach Markku Kanerva has focused a lot on the balance of defense and defense of the box in its game system.

– The opponent has finished well below the finish line he expected against Huuhkaji. Finland has been very good in goal block play, ie in defenses, blocks and in the game between the goalkeeper and the defender.

In special defense situations, Finland has even been at the top level in Europe: only one in four special situations of an opponent has led to a shot. Of the individual players, Paulus Arajuure has played a major role, winning 70-80 percent of his duel in the air.

– Finland has been successful in special situations thanks to scouting, a well-functioning structure and special expertise. Paulus Arajuuri won a large part of his duel in the air. The question is how Huuhkajat can keep his strengths even now that Arajuuri is no longer on the ground, Nuutinen states.

For years, Arajuuri and Joona Toivio formed an iconic top pair, but as their World Cup qualifiers ended in November, their role diminished. Daniel O’Shaughnessy established its position alongside veterans, and in the last qualifiers became Toivio and Arajuuree Leo Väisänen and Robert Ivanov.

In the attacking game, the strength of the Owners has been in rapid attacks.

– Most of the Owners’ scoring situations arise after quick attacks. Teemu Pukki will definitely be the first to come to mind in the attacks of the owls. Especially Pukin and Robin Lodin the connection has been an important part in creating goal scoring situations, Nuutinen opens.

Head coach Markku Kanerva started his change process in the World Cup qualifiers that started last spring and ended in November after the European Championships. With the change of players, it is also natural to take the game in a new direction.

According to Nuutinen, Finland still has room for improvement in many areas.

– Above all, Finland must be able to develop defense gaming in a more active direction. In addition, it must be possible to make offensive gaming more diverse and effective. We need to get more out of the special situations of the attack than before, Nuutinen lists.

Finland has pressed considerably more in its own half of the field than in the opponent’s half of the field. The owls therefore travel deeper into the enemy’s territory less frequently than the average European country.

– You have to find weapons other than quick attacks under Pukki to play offensive games. It is important that Finland’s new, more playful Ground Floor, led by Ivanov and Väisänen, is able to bring the game up more slowly, resisting the opponent’s crease, Nuutinen says.

Nuutinen wants to see more goal scoring situations from slow attacks.

– Glen Kamaran the role here is invaluable. When the Chamber determines the rhythm of Finland’s attack and is responsible for its progress, Finland plays better.

The special situations of the attacking head must also benefit more than at present.

– As in all small football countries, special situations in Finland are of great value. In special situations of attack, Finland has enough to develop. Only about 26 percent of the Owners ’special situations lead to a shot.