– One goal is the minimum, two is the goal and three is the ultimate!
Named to the women’s national football team for the first time I am Sevenius19, isn’t shy about setting goals for July’s international matches, even if he announces them with a laugh.
– If there was a goal, it would be great, as a striker you want to be effective. The first goal is, of course, to get playing minutes.
Sevenius, who moved to the Italian AC Milan at the turn of the year, has been waiting for his A national team debut. The head coach Marko Saloranta according to Sevenius has been a current name in the team since last fall, when he was still playing for HJK. In the 23 National League matches he played for the club, he scored 16 hits, which entitled him to KuPS’s power duo instead of the third place in the goal exchange Lavdije Begollin and Gentjana Rochin after.
– We thought beyond Oona’s career, what she would benefit from the most. I felt that the age group of those born in 2004 was so good that the 19-year-old Advanced Qualification is a good place, because I saw that there would have been a potential seam to go all the way to the Games, Saloranta opens.
– It made sense to play Oona there, because Oona is used to and has always been ready to take on a bigger role and carry the team on her back.
According to Saloranta, the 19-year-old attacker may already have responsibility against Iceland and Scotland.
– Now was the right time. Oona’s strength has always been that she doesn’t think too much, but is ready to take on a role right away. He will not apologize or bow down. Although Oona is an extremely good team player, she wants and is able to immediately take on a role and a place for herself.
According to Saloranta, Sevenius is a versatile attacker who brings a lot more to the national team besides goals.
– Oona has scored goals in every place she has been. He is a really versatile and versatile player who can play in front of the line and create scoring opportunities for others as well. He understands the game well and always manages the defense at the tip top, Saloranta praises.
In Milan, Sevenius was mainly responsible for the club’s under-19 team in the spring, where he played a big role. However, he describes spring as a holistic experience.
– I have definitely felt that it was the right decision to leave. There haven’t been any feelings of regret, especially when I’ve adapted and been able to focus on developing and moving forward as a football player in the last few months, Sevenius times.
However, the plans for the fall are open for the time being.
– Originally, when I went to Milan, I committed myself for the first six months. It felt safe because I had never been abroad before. The spring season went well, they were happy and I was happy. Milan is the most likely option, but I still don’t have anything concrete to say about the continuation.
Sevenius emphasizes that one thing is certain: whether the address is in Milan or elsewhere, responsibility must be obtained.
– I’m used to being in a big role in Finland. Of course, it has been important to also see the side when I haven’t been able to play that much in the national team, but now I feel that it is important for my development to be able to play.
Surprise name included
Sevenius is not the only one to debut in the A national team. Also a midfielder for HPS Aada Nurmi20, is with the Helmares for the first time.
– Perhaps this came surprisingly quickly. He has been on our list of about 40 players. Aada has had a very good season, last season was already good in the shirt of HPS, but this season he has taken another step forward, Saloranta begins.
According to the head coach, Nurmi has developed quite a lot during the winter, also physically.
– Aada is extremely good at stealing balls, he is good at going between the lines, breaking the lines and using his body. He has been extremely good in the U23 national team’s previous events, so his place in the national team is well deserved.
Later in the afternoon, KuPS was also named to the team as a new name Anni Hartikainen, who replaces the one left at the last minute Emmi Alanen. Also for Hartikainen, 19, the invitation to the A national team is the first of his career.
Hartikainen has performed well in the Kuopio team, and this season has been tipped to be his last on the home field. Hartikainen presented his strong shot most recently on Sunday against Honka.
Instead, the HJK top that accompanied the Helmares in the last events Joanna Tynnilä is sidelined due to injury.
The reigning European Championship gold medalist hoped to face Finland
The World Cup dreams of the Finnish women’s national football team crumbled in September, when Finland lost to Ireland on the away field, who were pushing for their first World Cup final tournament.
The Helmareit’s opponents in July, Scotland and Iceland, will not be seen on the World Cup green either, but Saloranta describes both opponents as pleasant.
– We wanted to face the A League of the Nations League, i.e. the top 16 team in Europe. Some of the teams have already traveled to the World Cup. Many of them, like England, wanted to play a final match against us before leaving, but they wanted to play outside the international window, which is not possible for us, Saloranta begins.
Most of the players of the Helmares earn their living in Sweden’s Damallsvenskan, which will be on a break for almost two months after next weekend.
The Finnish women’s national football team will face Iceland on Friday, July 14, and Scotland on Tuesday, July 18. You can watch the Iceland match on Arena on July 14. from 21:00 and Scotland match on TV2 and Arena on 18.7. at 19:00.