Finland and Scotland played to a 0–0 draw in the first EC qualifying match. The second match will be played on Tuesday in Helsinki.
Finland–Scotland on Tuesday 3.12. at 7:15 p.m. The broadcast on ‘s channels starts at 18:50.
The Finnish women’s national football team played as a guest of Scotland to a 0–0 draw in the first leg of the European Championship play-off in Edinburgh. It gives Finland a good starting point for the second leg, which will be played in Helsinki next Tuesday.
The match in Edinburgh was a cautious game where there were few goal posts.
– It was a pretty classic first leg of a final-type match. It was sloppy and careful, both teams started through the defense, Urheilu’s expert Hanna Ruohomaa quoth.
– It was even a little surprising how cautious and passive Scotland was, especially at the beginning of the game. It didn’t really press Finland at all in the opening phase of the game, but was content to retreat and keep the deck tight.
For Helmari, the defensive game worked well.
– There was perhaps a small question mark in the defense because Eva Nyström was missing Natalia Kuikan next to the topper because the card account is full. Joanna Tynnilä came to replace, but there was no fumbling to be seen. Finland’s defense line was convincing once again, Ruohomaa stated.
– It is necessary to raise as well Eveliina Summanen from midfield. He did a huge amount of work and was often intercepting passes in the Scottish end zone.
The offensive game, on the other hand, was weak for both teams.
– This has been talked about for a long time, about who is going to score those goals. Now Jutta Rantala has been injured and even when he was fit, there has been talk that Finland has a small goal-scoring problem.
– There weren’t a lot of chances to score today and they weren’t put in either. Attacking Finland was slow. Part of the reason was also that Scotland defended well.
Great match from Emma Koivisto
Ruohomaa raises a few particularly successful people from Helmari.
– Emma Koivisto was great once again. The amount of work he does on the field may not always translate to the home stands. He operates at both ends of the court, he’s down low and he’s finishing attacks, he’s bringing the ball up and taking a lot of shots.
– Natalia Kuikka was really important, for example, breaking balls in concentration and special situations. Eveliina Summanen was a key player in midfield. Scotland has Erin Cuthbertwhich is a candidate for the best midfield in the world, but their rotation in the midfield seems to be just the same.
After a draw, Helmarit gets into the home match with good positions. Now the layout is clear. The winner of Tuesday’s match will go to next summer’s European Championships.
– Helmarith has been really good at home. They have stretched themselves to incredible performances even against tough countries. They have beaten Italy and played well against Norway and Holland. The starting points are good. The home crowd’s support has been really important to Helmari, so it’s good that the matches were this way.
– I do believe that Scotland is going to change something. We will definitely see a match where a little more happens.
Finland–Scotland on Tuesday 3.12. at 7:15 p.m. The broadcast on ‘s channels starts at 18:50.