Finland national under-21 football team

The Finnish U-21 national football team is a national team of Finnish football players. It is subject to Suomen Palloliitto, the Finnish Football Association and represents this on the U-21 level, in friendly matches against the national teams of other national associations, but also at the European Championships of the continental federation UEFA. Be eligible, players who have not yet completed their 21 years of age and possess the Finnish nationality. In tournaments, the age at first qualifier is relevant.

History

To date, the U -21 Finland could once qualify for the hosted by the UEFA U-21 Football Championship.

To qualify for the European Championship 2006 Finland was solved by the Netherlands, the Czech Republic, Romania, Macedonia and Armenia in Group 1. Two victories were offset by a draw and seven defeats, with a goal difference of 7:16 hits. All seven points were brought against Macedonia and Armenia, where neither of the two games against Macedonia was lost.

Since the next European Championship not only the usual two years later, but in 2007 took place after the 2006 European Championships, the appropriate qualification was played in a summary trial. Starting with a preliminary round, over a short group stage with three teams and the play-off games. Finland needed only to go into the group stage. In group 6, they were drawn against Russia and Hungary. There was only one game against each team, so that the teams away and once had home advantage once each. In both games, disappointed the Northern Europeans and conceded five goals and only able to achieve a total one. Table first was Russia.

The first European Championship finals appearance

When qualifying for Euro 2009, the Finns had luck of the draw and could avoid the big favorites in Group 6. With Scotland, Denmark, Slovenia and Lithuania, the group was very balanced. Scotland, one-time participants in a European Championship finals, and Denmark, a four-time participant in a European Championship finals, this should be the favorites in this qualifying group. All the other three teams could not yet qualify for this. Only on the final day of the participants was determined for the play- offs. The Finns started with a series of five victories, while a 1-0 on the opening day against Denmark and a 3-2 on the second match against Scotland, surprisingly good and already played from the beginning to the top of the table. On 26 March 2008 there was the first defeat in the return match in Scotland. Since these apart from the defeat on Matchday had to plug in no further defeats, the island footballers should prove to be the toughest competitor of the Finns. The Danish team was beaten in the second game, so Matchday penultimate Finland with 18 points at No. 1 and Scotland with 16 points were second place. So had decided on the last matches of both teams qualification. Both teams had to play away on September 9, were the white - blue in Slovenia and the Scots against Denmark at. The game ended 0-0 to the Finns. Since Scotland but due to the better goal would be by a victory to qualify, this 0:0 would not have been sufficient. However, the men of the island botched their game and lost 0-1, so that Finland could move into the play- off round.

There, the team of Markku Kanerva met on 11 and 15 October 2008 in the team from Austria. The first leg in Traun Austria lost the blue-white with 1:2. After the home side had already led 2-0 after 15 minutes, Perparim Hetemaj was able to achieve only the first goal from the perspective of the Finns. In the return game led the Alps footballer after 26 minutes 1-0. It was not until the 86th and then in the 90th minute was the two goals from Jussi Vasara turn the game around and forced the Austrians thus into overtime. In this were no further goals, so that the shoot had to decide. Goalkeeper Tomi Maanoja held thereby the penalty of Marko Stanković and Michael Madl and thus secured the first intake of the Finnish U- 21 team in the finals.

Participation at U -21 European Championships

Note: Between 1978 and 1992, the final was a U- 21 Championship not played in a country, but completed by return games in the participating nations.

Coach

( incomplete)

  • Markku Kanerva

Former player and well-known

(Selection)

Adidas Tim Sparv Përparim Hetemaj Berat Sadik
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