Perspective: A bold move from Finland – Iceland didn’t expect this

Janne PalomäkiKatariina Kosola’s dream goal returned Finland to winning ways after a 16-year break, writes Janne Palomäki from Thun.Today at 21:13

Hundreds of supporters of both teams had gathered in front of the Stockhorn Arena in Thun a couple of hours before the opening match of the European Championship between Finland and Iceland.

Apparently someone had suggested a competition between them, because soon rhythmic shouts of “Suomi” and “Ísland” filled the air.

That was probably the last time the Finns treated their blue-shirted opponent kindly.

As soon as Hungarian referee Katalin Kulcsár blew the whistle to start the game, Helmarit showed that it had indeed learned its lesson from the Dutch camp.

This time the birds of prey’s claws were sharp. Iceland was clearly not prepared for the fact that their opponent wanted to challenge them with a purely physical game.

However, scoring was painfully difficult.

Both Ria Öling and Katariina Kosola should have scored from their starting positions. Oona Siren’s cannon would have already required Cecilia Rúnarsdóttir to fall asleep.

However, the best individual performance of the opening period was Emma Koivisto’s amazing slide save from Sandra Jessen’s pull.

The game seemed to be more affected by the thunderstorm front approaching from the direction of the Alps, which was felt in Thun as gusty winds.

Head coach Marko Saloranta emphasized on the eve of the match how important a three-point opening win could be in a tight group.

In other words, it meant that a defeat would have effectively buried the dream of advancing on the first night of the tournament.

Iceland practically only played against Linda Sällström. The Helmarit striker’s vertical runs were eliminated by leaving the defensive line exceptionally close to their own penalty area.

This meant that an empty space the size of an entire canton was left in the midfield, where Finnish players were practically given fiefdom rights.

Iceland’s defense was rattled already in the opening period. When captain Glódís Viggósdóttir remained in the locker room after the break and Hildur Antonsdóttir was sent off in the red shower already in the 58th minute, victory was offered to Finland on a silver platter.

But scoring goals was still a problem. Without it, it’s impossible to win games.

The previous victory of the Helmar team in the European Championship finals was in the summer of 2009, when they defeated the Netherlands at the Olympic Stadium.

It will be 16 years since that game in August. The 2013 Swedish tournament (a loss and two draws) and the 2022 English championship (three losses) were both minor victories.

The three points on offer in Thun had to be taken simply for football credibility.

Fortunately, Saloranta had time to believe in his game system. Kosola had already tried Cristiano Ronaldo’s bicycle exercise a couple of times in the opening period.

Something else was in store in the 70th minute, when Eveliina Summanen found the Malmö professional from her familiar scouting spot on the edge of the penalty area.

This time, a simple change of rhythm threw the Icelandic defender off balance. And now the shot was successful.

The ball hit the back top corner beautifully.

Rúnarsdóttir only got part of her glove in front of the pull and made a mistake defending herself from the setback.

Although Iceland played with a deficit, they were still able to focus on Anna Koivunen’s goal.

Saloranta responded by sending Jutta Rantala and Nea Lehtola in place of the tired Sällström and Koivisto. Helmarit still maintained its form, although it would have been tempting to pack women into the defensive line.

Helmarit held on. They believed in their own game idea for a long time and implemented it until the end. Anna Koivunen probably took a tactical injury break just in time to calm the team’s game and make Iceland nervous.

But those six minutes of extra time were long.

This win brings the coveted quarter-final spot very close. Finland will secure its place in the quarter-finals if it beats Norway on Sunday. Even two draws in the remaining matches in the group will certainly be enough.

Saloranta’s task now is to reset this experience, both for herself and for the team’s players. The tournament continues, and future opponents will certainly not be as quick to give the same gift as Antonsdóttir on Wednesday.

Finland will be able to return to their “home hotel” in Geneva after a small victory celebration. A night in a familiar bed will certainly feel heavenly.