Linda Sällström says that she understood the exchange she talked about, because the Denmark match was a “difficult game” for her. Substitute players who excel in their league teams would hope to get more playing time.
Riku Porvari,
Hinn Hirvonen
The starting line-up of Helmarei has been quite established for a few years now. The matter came to the surface again at the European Championships, when Finland lost to Denmark 0–1. Finland made only two substitutions in the match, when they could have made five.
Jenny Danielsson entered the field in the last minutes, and was close to scoring.
– You can’t really influence who plays in the opener, Danielsson stated on Wednesday.
In competitive matches, the players in the starting line-up often also play almost full minutes. In the Denmark match, Danielsson would have liked substitutions earlier, because the game was in a 1–0 situation for a long time.
– We had time to score. It’s a shame that there weren’t any changes to the attacking end earlier. I wish I could get more playing time. On Tuesday it was two minutes, maybe more in the next game, he continues.
Danielsson has played a total of 13 minutes in the two matches of the EC tournament, seven of which have been extra time.
Successes in the league team, time on the cards in the national team
Others who were substitute players in the European Championships also weighed in on the starting line-up, which was set in stone.
– I can’t say that I would be satisfied when I haven’t played at all. Of course I would like to show my skills on the field, Heidi Kollanen says.
– I don’t think any athlete can be completely satisfied if they don’t get a lot of responsibility, Olga Ahtinen states.
All three play in the Swedish premier league Damallsvenskan. Danielsson in AIK, Kollanen in Örebro and Ahtinen in Linköping. Kollanen is the number one in the pass market among Finns in the series, while Ahtinen was selected for the all-star team of the spring season.
Ahtinen has played 26 minutes in the games, Kollanen not a minute. However, according to Kollanen, the small role of substitutes does not negatively affect team spirit.
– Yes, the 11 have played well, and they play a lot together. That’s why they also know how to play best together, there’s no denying that. They have been a good team for us, Kollanen says conciliatoryly.
Sällström saw his change as logical
Finland’s head coach in yesterday’s match against Denmark Anna Signeul changed in the 89th minute of the game Anna Westerlund replacing Danielsson. Earlier, the field was changed perhaps a little unexpectedly Linda Sällströmwho was replaced by Ahtinen in the 73rd minute.
– I didn’t ask for a change myself, but it was a difficult game for me, Sällström assessed.
According to Sällström, Denmark was well aware of Finland’s game tactics and knew how to take away the space behind the defense line.
– I was left a little unarmed. In a way, I see it as logical that I was taken away, because I terribly didn’t get it in time.
Sällström did not want to comment on whether he himself thought the exchange was strange.
Helmarit is looking for a win in his final match
In addition to the lost match against Denmark, Finland’s further dreams were dashed when Germany beat Spain on Tuesday evening. According to Ahtinen, Finland had a chance for up to three points yesterday.
– Yesterday was an important day. Should have been able to take points. We didn’t come here just to play in the preliminary round.
However, the players still want to show their skills in the final match against Germany. Germany have won their first two matches convincingly; Denmark fell 4–0, Spain 2–0.
– We are professionals and used to properly preparing for games. We want to show what we are really capable of and the Germany match is a good opportunity for that. It’s good that we have one more game left and can show our skills, Eveliina Summanen says.
When Finland’s further dreams are gone, maybe players who have not played in the tournament before will get on the field.
Would you, for example, see Heidi Kollane on the field?
– I don’t really know at all. I can’t really say anything to that, says Kollanen.