Denmark defeated Finland 1–0 in the European Championships. Helmareite’s goalkeeper Tinja-Riikka Korpela played a top match, but failed to save his team.
21:16•Updated 21:33
The Finnish women’s national football team Helmarit lost to Denmark 0–1 in the European Championships. Denmark’s star striker Pernille Harder kicked the ball with an excellent match Tinja-Riikka Korpelan to guard the goal in the 72nd minute of the game.
In the chasing position, surprise was aroused by Finland’s goal scorer, by Linda Sällström being taken off the field when there was about a quarter of a minute left in the match.
– Finland tried to change something with substitutions, but replacing Sällström… However, he is the kind of player who has scored goals for Finland, Urheilu’s expert Liisa-Maija Rautio ponder the decision.
He said he understood that Eveliina Summanen wanted to keep the ball in front of the lines. However, Rautio himself would not have taken Finland’s “most dangerous player” away. Sällström was replaced by Olga Ahtinen.
– From a goal-scoring point of view, a player who can score goals is needed on the field.
Entered the field from the exchange Jenny Danielsson was close to an equalizer in extra time, but Denmark’s goalkeeper Lene Christensen stretched to world-class tackling.
– It was close, but a dream save from Veskar. There’s not much to say. It went well. I wasn’t sure it would go to the goal, but something like that, Danielsson lamented after the match.
You can see Danielsson’s shot in the video at the beginning of the story.
Denmark stronger from the start
In the first half, Denmark dominated the game. Both the goalkeeper Tinja-Riikka Korpela and the defender put in great performances Natalia Kuikka.
Korpela repelled By Nadia Nadimin steering just centimeters before the finish line. Kuikka beat Pernille Harder in the running race.
The Finns came closest to scoring in the first period Emma Koivistowho made it San Francisco from a great pass to a great goal. However, Koivisto’s placement attempt missed the goal.
– The goal was close to the small one. Koivisto’s move to the box was great. It showed his skills; In addition to playing on the wing, Koivisto can succeed in tight spaces, expert Rautio said at halftime.
Sports expert Maija Saaren according to Finland showed in the first half that they are fighting for victory.
– I admired how physical Finland was at the beginning of the match. This was seen, for example, in a situation where Elli Pikkujämsä tackled Nadim on the wing, Saari said.
Top defense in the last moments
In the second period, Denmark continued its good attacks. On a few occasions, the ball bounced dangerously in Finland’s penalty area, but the situations were dealt with.
In the 68th minute of the match Denmark Karen Holmgaard got to an excellent goal position, but captain Korpela saved Finland again.
A few minutes later, Denmark finally succeeded. Janni Thomsen crossed from the right and Holmgaard headed the crossbar, from where the ball came to Perni Harder’s head. Ball into the net and Denmark to a 1–0 win.
Finland’s captain Korpela said he was proud of his team and felt that Helmarit deserved more from the match.
– We have shown that we belong in this tournament when we play equal games against such teams. However, Denmark was in the final match at the last European Championship, captain Korpela said after the match.
Finland next meets Germany at 22:00 on Saturday. Finland’s chances of reaching the playoffs are very slim. Spain must beat Germany in the match starting at 22:00 on Tuesday evening.