A poor Nations League and an injury troubled buildup has taken the shine off Marko Saloranta’s side after an impressive qualifying campaign
This article is part of the Guardian’s Euro 2025 Experts’ Network, a cooperation between some of the best media organisations from the 16 countries who qualified. theguardian.com is running previews from two teams each day in the run-up to the tournament kicking off on 2 July.
Finland played well during the qualifying campaign, beating Scotland 2-0 on aggregate in the playoffs, and their performances raised expectations. However, the Nations League campaign that followed acted as a rude awakening. A draw at home to Serbia – after they conceded an 84th-minute own goal – meant they finished second in their group behind their opponents.
The reason for the dip in form can largely be explained by the numerous injuries the team has suffered in the run-up to the Euros. Key players such as Natalia Kuikka, Elli Pikkujämsä and Jutta Rantala have been out for a long time.
Kuikka, one of the most important players in the squad, is now back playing but has missed several months of the buildup. Pikkujämsä, one of the team’s most reliable defenders, has been out for a year with a knee injury.
