Finland will meet Denmark in the European Championship qualifying match on Sunday at 19:00. The live broadcast of the match will start on TV2, Areena and ‘s website at 18:15.
Oliver Antman and Benjamin Källman scored the Huuhkajie’s all-important winning goal on Thursday night in the European Championship qualifying match played against Kazakhstan.
Urheilu’s commentator Matti Härkönen was eager to compare Källman even Jari Litmasenwhen Källman cheated Antman’s goal with his liberating pass.
– I feel that I succeeded well. Scoring might not be something I’m known for. Or at least not from breaking passes, but this time there was one and it was so nice, Källman smiled the next day at Kalastajatorpa in Helsinki.
– I am completely ready for what is needed. I don’t see any problem with coming from the bench to the field. With fresh legs, maybe a little tired against defenders. Such a role suits me very well.
Källman’s role has varied in Huuhkaji’s EC qualifying matches this year.
– I have been in the opener and came in from the bench, both roles suit me well, evaluates the 25-year-old Källman, who represents Cracovia in Poland at the club team level.
“A guy from Turku”
Urheilu asked Joel from Pohjanpalowhat kind of teammate is Källman?
– A very nice guy. Perhaps not the most talkative guy in the world, a guy from Turku, Pohjanpalo described and immediately broke into bursts of laughter.
– A great tackler and a great team player, strong and a good finisher. Apparently he can pass, Pohjanpalo continued.
Huuhkajat needs a wide range of material in the fight for a place in the European Championship.
– It is a big thing for us that the players come off the bench with the right attitude and are able to change the game. It is a big asset for us that we are able to play in hundred glasses all the time. And if the foot starts to press, then guys of the same level will come in. It’s a big thing, and we’ll go to the Games with it, Pohjanpalo believed.
Oliver Antman was also visibly excited when he got to describe Källman.
– The commentator would say “like Litmanen’s konsana”. Maybe not quite, but a very good player. Great striker, fast and strong player. Can finish and apparently also knows how to pass.
The group situation is very delicious from Finland’s point of view.
– This is not a surprise for our team. We know we can beat any team. When the game goes on and wins come, we gain more self-confidence. I don’t see any country stopping us. Not even Denmark, Antman said confidently.
The expert praises Källman’s torque
Sports expert Miika Nuutinen emphasizes that Källman has been a really important player for Huuhkaj recently.
– Källman has perhaps been underrated. He has completed at a consistently high level. Actually, every time he has been on the field, there have been successes also in light of the power. He gives Markku Kanerva really important option upstairs.
According to the news, Källman is able to help Huuhkaji without the ball against stronger teams than, for example, Joel Pohjanpalo.
– Källman also seems to have a really good connection Teemu Pukin with. They make a pretty good duo in quick attacks. With his versatility, Källman can help Huuhkaji a lot in all phases of the game.
It wouldn’t be a surprise at all if Källman was in the starting line-up against Denmark on Sunday night. One of the biggest reasons for this option is precisely Källman’s discipline in the defensive direction.
Källman can defend in different roles, so he is not forced to play as the top striker. In addition, he could play a significant role in special defensive situations.
– Källman is a powerful twister with his own scrappiness. Denmark also doesn’t have Alakerta from the fastest end, and I believe that Finland will get a few good counter-attacking starts, so Källma, either in the opening or as a substitute, can be the weapon with which Finland creates chances.
The frameful Benjamin Källman’s father is Finland’s best handball player of all time Mikael Källman. Benjamin’s first sport was also handball, which he started when he was a few years old. Only later did other sports, such as football and athletics, join in.
The choice of sport was in front of him at the age of 13, when Källman moved from Tammisaari to Honka in Espoo on the football side. Källman has said that, from the handball side, physical qualities were included – situational toughness, speed of the first steps and effort.
In the Veikkausliiga, Källman debuted in the shirt of Inter Turku in the 2016 season. Källman represented Inter until 2022, but the period included loan agreements with Scotland, Denmark and Norway.
In the summer of 2022, Källman moved to Cracovia in Poland on a three-year contract. There have been 40 games in the Polish league, eight goals.
Nuutinen hasn’t seen enough Polish league games to be able to analyze the Finnish striker’s performances in Cracovia, but one thing is clear.
– Källman has been more effective in the national team. He would seem to fit well into the Huuhkajie’s current template.
Against Denmark in a full Olympic Stadium
Finland leads Group H of the European Championship qualifiers after collecting 12 points from their five matches. Sunday’s opponents, Denmark and Slovenia, are two points behind Huuhkaji.
The Huhkaji’s only loss so far has come against Denmark, who beat Finland 3–1 at home. On Sunday, Huuhkaji will have a chance to get a tasty revenge from Denmark. The Denmark match is already making Källman’s mind tingle.
– A really great event, against Denmark in a full Olympic Stadium. We are in such a good mood right now that this match could not come at a better time. Surely the fans are also waiting for this fight.
Although right now the situation looks good, Källman reminds that the European Championship qualifiers are only halfway through.
– The situation is really good at the moment. But you always have to keep a cool head, there is still another “rundi” ahead. It has taken a lot of hard work to get here.
Denmark–Finland 3 to 1 (on Källma’s bench)
Northern Ireland–Finland 0–1 (Källman scored the winning goal in the opening and played 86 minutes)
Finland–Slovenia 2–0 (on Källma’s bench)
Finland–San Marino 6–0 (Källman scored a goal, played 90 minutes)
Kazakhstan-Finland 0–1 (Källman scored the winning goal, substitute in the 67th minute)
Benjamin Källman has played in the Finnish national team in 13 matches, including seven in the starting line-up. In these matches, Källman has scored six goals and assisted two.
23.3. Denmark–Finland 3 to 1
26.3. Northern Ireland–Finland 0–1
16.6. Finland–Slovenia 2–0
19.6. Finland–San Marino 6–0
7.9. Kazakhstan–Finland 0–1
Sun 10.9. at 19 Finland–Denmark
Sat 14.10. at 19 Slovenia–Finland
Tue 17.10. at 19 Finland–Kazakhstan
Fri 17.11. at 19 Finland–Northern Ireland
Mon 20.11. at 21:45 San Marino–Finland
The best two of the group will qualify for the summer 2024 European Championships, which will be played in Germany.
shows all Huuhkajie’s qualifying matches live.