by Jean-Pierre Thiesset (18/6/25)
Above: The Finland squad. Photo: Finland Helmarit.
Finland are known or nicknamed as ‘Helmarit’ (the Boreal Howls). They are currently ranked 28th by UEFA, and 25th by FIFA.
Squad
The final selection of 23 squad listed announced is as follows.
Goalkeepers: Anna Koivunen (Djurgårdend IF, Sweden), Anna Tamminen (Hammarby IF, Sweden), Tinja-Rikka Korpela (Servette FC, Switzerland).
Defenders: Eva Nyström (West Ham United, England), Emma Koivisto (AC Milan, Italy), Emmi Siren (Nordsjælland, Denmark), Joanna Tynnilä (SK Brann, Norway), Nora Heroum (Sampdoria, Italy), Natalia Kuikka (Chicago Stars FC, USA), Nea Lehtola (SK Brann, Norway), Maaria Roth (HJK Helsinki, Finland)
Midfielders: Vilma Koivisto (Linköpings FC, Sweden), Ria Öling (Crystal Palace FC, England), Olga Ahtinen (Tottenham Hotspur, England), Katriina Kosola (Malmö, Sweden), Oona Siren (West Ham United, England), Eveliina Summanen (Tottenham Hotspur, England), Adelina Egman (FC Como,Italy).
Forwards: Heidi Kollanen (Vittsjö GIK, Sweden), Sanni Franssi (Real Sociedad, Spain), Linda Sällström (Vittsjö GIK, Sweden), Oona Sevenius (FC Rosengård, Sweden), Jutta Rantala (Leicester City, England).
Head Coach: Marco SALORANTA
Marko Saloranta, 53 years old, has had an extensive career in Finnish women’s football, having worked with Finland’s women’s and girls’ national teams for over 15 years. Since the start of 2023, he has led the senior national team, having previously worked as an interim manager for the team in 2017 and 2022.
Euro History:
Their previous best achievements were the Semi-finals in 2005 and the group stage in 2022.
How they qualified:
Group A1 fourth place: lost 0-4 away from home vs Norway, won 2-1 home vs Italy, lost 0-1 away from home vs Netherlands, drew 1-1 home vs Netherlands, drew 1-1 home vs Norway, lost 0-4 away from home vs Italy. Play-offs: win 6-0 aggregate win vs Montenegro (win 1-0 away from home, win 5-0 home), win 2-0 aggregate vs Scotland (draw 0-0 away from home, win 2-0 home). Top scorers: Nea Lehtola, Ema Koivisto, Jutta Rantala, Linda Sällström with two goals.
Strengths:
Finland now has more players than ever participating in the major leagues of Europe, bringing their greatest cohesion and skillset yet.
Development Areas:
Finland lack players with major international tournament experience. e
Key Players:
Linda Sällström who was born on July 13, 1988, (36 years old) currently plays for Vittsjö in Sweden. She made her debut for the senior national side on May 31, 2007, playing 17 minutes against Norway.
Sällström missed the entire 2012 season with an anterior cruciate ligament injury – the first of three ACL injuries in as many years. Coming back from injury to finish as the second second-highest goalscorer in the 2017–18 Damallsvenskan (Sweden Women’s Championship) season was an exceptional achievement.
On October 8, 2019, Sällström scored four goals against Albania to become the all-time top scorer for Finland, surpassing Laura Österberg Kalmari. On November 8, 2019, Sällström played her 100th match against Cyprus. Since 2007, she has earned 150 caps for Finland squad, scoring 64 goals.
One to watch:
Oona Sevenius was born on April 28, 2004 (21 years old), and is seen as one of the most promising young Finnish players.
On July 4, 2023, Sevenius was called up to the Finland national team for the first time. In February of the following year, she scored a hat trick in a 4–0 friendly win against the Philippines. Her form caught the attention of AC Milan in 2023. She is now at top Swedish side Rosengård.
Success would be:
Getting out of the group phase for the first time since 2005. It is possible with the group they have been drawn in.
Prediction:
Second place in the group before elimination in the quarter-finals.
Group A Fixtures:
2nd July – Iceland, 6pm, Arena Thun.
6th July – Norway, 6pm, Stade de Tourbillon, Sion.
10th July – Switzerland, 9pm, Stade de Geneve, Lancy.
(Kick-offs local time).
This is the latest part of our Euros nation previews – click on the link below to view the previous articles:
SWITZERLAND – https://impetusfootball.org/2025/06/16/euros-preview-switzerland-2/
NORWAY – https://impetusfootball.org/2025/06/17/euros-preview-norway/
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