The young Finns may have exited the Euro U21 Tournament without registering a single point and managing just one goal in their three group games, but it’s certainly been a worthwhile experience for the team. Walter Townsend assesses the Finnish tournament
After battling their way through qualification, Finland in many respects must have regarded the draw into Group B with heavyweights England, Spain and Germany as something of a mixed blessing. In the knowledge that they were highly unlikely to win the tournament, the best thing Finland could have hoped for was a chance to measure themselves against the best at this level. And that was precisely what they got.
The bare facts show that Finland were beaten in all three games, furthermore conceding two in each of them. Unsurprisingly given their tough draw, the Finns found that the gap between their own talented generation and the best was a pretty large one.
Encouraging signs
Yet Finland’s participation in Sweden can’t be judged simply on the merits of their results, especially as they were missing arguably their most talented player in Roman Eremenko, who declined the offer of participation for fear of upsetting the balance in the squad after not contributing to qualification. They achieved more by playing at the tournament, and in doing so potentially laid foundations that may in the future yield a first ever qualification to a senior tournament.
The interest generated in Finnish football, especially back home where ice hockey is the most popular sport, could have the most positive repercussions. The number of Finnish fans that travelled over to Sweden to follow the team was most encouraging. Their experience watching the team may permit Finnish football to find its place in the hearts of the football fans, who prefer the Premiership to the Veikausliiga.
The games also highlighted a number of areas that need to be concentrated on by the Finnish management team, as the side attempt to qualify for the 2011 Championship. The most obvious one was defending from set pieces, especially balls into the box from the flanks, which caused much consternation in the Finnish ranks. They conceded costly goals in this manner in every match, and without them may even have had a chance of forcing their way into the semi-finals.
Another area which will need some attention is the attack. As highlighted in qualifying they weren’t a free-scoring side with a number of teams that failed to book their place registering significantly more goals than the Finns. This was badly exposed during the tournament, especially during their final match, when they really struggled to trouble the Spanish defence. Their solitary goal came from the penalty spot, so generating some forward momentum and carrying some threat to the opposition will be a priority for the future.
Finally Finland need to know when to press home their advantage and score when they are on top in a match. They managed it against England, but failed to do so against Germany in the first half after playing without fear in both games. At this level teams exploit the failure to make the most of superiority and thus it proved in those matches – a valuable lesson for this young Finnish side.
Stand out players
Although a number of players already ply their trade outside of Finland, there are still several players, who could expect a move to a higher league. Of those who remain in Finland left-back Jukka Raitala of HJK Helsinki was the most eye-catching. The 20-year-old looked generally solid in defence and got forward to support the attack when appropriate. West Ham United and Middlesbrough are believed to have expressed an interest in giving Raitala a trial, and their may be more clubs also following his fortunes.
Of those who have already left their Finnish homeland Arminia Bielefeld’s Berat Sadik and Sevilla’s Teemu Pukki both looked lively up front. Sadik, the battering ram forward that gave England’s defence such a torrid team, could get see to a bit more action next season in the 2. Bundesliga. Pukki would represent a decent loan signing, as realistically he’s unlikely to see much action for the Sevilla first team next season, despite his positive impact on this tournament.
Tim Sparv already had a chance in England with Southampton, playing in the same youth team as Theo Walcott, but showed in the heart of the Finnish midfield he may be worth another chance. Currently under contract at Halmstad in Sweden, Sparv was arguably the best Finnish player at the tournament combining thoughtful passing with hard-work and closing down. His impact was best highlighted against England, when as a team Finland came to the fore, outshining West Ham’s Mark Noble in the middle as both sides matched up with a central three.
A World Cup chance
Exactly how many of this team make it through to the senior squad remains to be seen, but the Finnish FA might be tempted to give some of this young side a chance to integrate into the senior team for the remaining World Cup qualifying matches next season. They face matches away in Azerbaijan and Lichtenstein in September, and especially the first game in Baku would be a tough test for the young Finns.
Regardless of how many of this young Finnish side go on to claim a regular place in the senior team, as several have already had a taste of the action at the highest level, the most important thing will be to carry on the positive momentum this qualification has bought at youth level and build on it for future generations.
http://www.goal.com/en/news/2378/euro-u-21-2009/2009/06/23/1342129/euro-u-21-review-finland
