Finland women's national football team
Nickname(s) | Helmarit (the Boreal Owls)[1] | ||
---|---|---|---|
Association | Football Association of Finland (Suomen Palloliitto) | ||
Confederation | UEFA (Europe) | ||
Head coach | Marko Saloranta | ||
Captain | Tinja-Riikka Korpela | ||
Most caps | Anna Westerlund (145) | ||
Top scorer | Linda Sällström (59) | ||
FIFA code | FIN | ||
| |||
FIFA ranking | |||
Current | 26 (16 August 2024)[2] | ||
Highest | 14 (September 2005) | ||
Lowest | 32 (March 2019) | ||
First international | |||
Finland 0–0 Sweden (Mariehamn, Finland; 25 August 1973) | |||
Biggest win | |||
Bulgaria 0–8 Finland (Lovech, Bulgaria; 21 August 2014) Finland 8–0 Hungary (Larnaca, Cyprus; 19 February 2023) | |||
Biggest defeat | |||
Denmark 9–0 Finland (Vejen, Denmark; 26 July 1975) | |||
European Championship | |||
Appearances | 4 (first in 2005) | ||
Best result | Semi-finals (2005) |
The Finland women's national football team (Finnish: Suomen naisten jalkapallomaajoukkue, Swedish: Finlands damlandslag i fotboll), also known as nickname The Boreal Owls (Finnish: Helmarit),[1] represents Finland in international women's football. The team, controlled by the Football Association of Finland (SPL/FBF), reached the semi-finals of the 2005 European Championship, surprising the female football world having drawn with Sweden and beaten Denmark before losing to Germany in the semifinals.[3] Finland hosted the 2009 European Championship.[4]
The Finnish team has had a few players that are considered to be among the best in women's football, such as Laura Österberg Kalmari, Sanna Valkonen and Anne Mäkinen.
As of December 2023, the team is ranked 27th in the FIFA world ranking.[5]
History
[edit]The beginning
[edit]The Finland women's national football team played its first international match in 1973 against Sweden.[6] The game was played in Mariehamn, Åland.
Team image
[edit]Nicknames
[edit]The Finland women's national football team has been known or nicknamed as the "Helmarit (the Boreal Owls)".[1]
Results and fixtures
[edit]The following is a list of match results in the last 12 months, as well as any future matches that have been scheduled.
Win Draw Loss Fixture
2023
[edit]30 November 2023–24 UEFA Nations League | Finland | 6–0 | Romania | Turku |
17:45 | Report | Stadium: Veritas Stadion |
5 December 2023–24 UEFA Nations League | Slovakia | 2–2 | Finland | Trnava |
Report | Stadium: Anton Malatinský Stadium |
2024
[edit]21 February Friendly | Finland | 4–0 | Philippines | San Pedro del Pinatar |
Report | Stadium: Pinatar Arena |
24 February 2024 Pinatar Cup SF | Slovenia | 0–1 | Finland | San Pedro del Pinatar |
Stadium: Pinatar Arena |
27 February 2024 Pinatar Cup Final | Scotland | 1–1 (4–5 p) | Finland | San Pedro del Pinatar |
Stadium: Pinatar Arena |
5 April Euro 2025 qualifying | Norway | 4–0 | Finland | Oslo |
18:00 | Report | Stadium: Ullevaal Stadion Referee: Catarina Campos (Portugal) |
9 April Euro 2025 qualifying | Finland | 2–1 | Italy | Helsinki |
18:15 | Report | Stadium: Helsinki Football Stadium Referee: Marta Huerta de Aza (Spain) |
31 May Euro 2025 qualifying | Netherlands | 1–0 | Finland | Rotterdam |
20:45 | Beerensteyn 65' | Report | Stadium: Sparta Stadion Het Kasteel Attendance: 9,089 Referee: Frida Klarlund (Denmark) |
4 June Euro 2025 qualifying | Finland | 1–1 | Netherlands | Tampere |
18:00 |
|
Report |
|
Stadium: Tammelan Stadion Attendance: 7,677 Referee: Sandra Bastos (Portugal) |
12 July Euro 2025 qualifying | Finland | 1–1 | Norway | Turku |
Report | Stadium: Veritas Stadion |
16 July Euro 2025 qualifying | Italy | 4–0 | Finland | Bolzano |
19:00 | Report | Stadium: Stadio Druso |
25 October Euro 2025 qualifying play-offs | Montenegro | 0–1 | Finland | Podgorica |
17:30 | Report | Stadium: Podgorica City Stadium |
29 October Euro 2025 qualifying play-offs | Finland | 5–0 (6–0 agg.) | Montenegro | Tampere |
18:30 CEST (UTC+02:00) | Report | Stadium: Tammelan Stadion Referee: Eleni Antoniou (Greece) |
29 November Euro 2025 qualifying play-offs | Scotland | - | Finland | Edinburgh |
20:35 WET (UTC+00:00) | Report | Stadium: Easter Road |
3 December Euro 2025 qualifying play-offs | Finland | - | Scotland | Helsinki |
(UTC+03:00) | Report | Stadium: Helsinki Olympic Stadium |
Coaching staff
[edit]Current coaching staff
[edit]As of October 2024[7]
- Head coach: Marko Saloranta
- Assistant coach: Jonne Kunnas
- Assistant coach: Liisa-Maija Rautio
- Goalkeeping coach: Tommi Laitila
- Fitness coach: Kristoffer Weckström
- Psychological coach: Tatja Holm
- Doctor: Pippa Laukka
- Physiotherapist: Markus Rosenblad
- Physiotherapist: Sannakaisa Vastamäki
- Kit manager: Piia Karonen
- Kit manager: Alban Saliko
- Video Analyst: Jouko Kylmäoja
- Team manager: Outi Saarinen
- Team manager: Sanna Pirhonen
- Press officer: Eveliina Parikka
- Press officer: Jyri Sulander
- Media officer: Taru Nyholm
Manager history
[edit]- As of 21 February 2024
Tenure | Coach | Record | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G | W | D | L | Win % | |||||
1973–77 | Juhani Nirkkonen | 12 | 1 | 1 | 10 | 8.33 | |||
1978 | Simo Syrjävaara | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 33.33 | |||
1979–89 | Kaj Österberg | 44 | 13 | 12 | 19 | 29.55 | |||
1989–92 | Jyrki Nieminen | 24 | 3 | 4 | 17 | 12.50 | |||
1993–96 | Nils Suomalainen | 24 | 4 | 5 | 15 | 16.67 | |||
1996–00 | Reima Kokko | 46 | 11 | 3 | 32 | 23.91 | |||
2001–09 | Michael Käld | 107 | 35 | 22 | 50 | 32.71 | |||
2010–16 | Andrée Jeglertz | 76 | 27 | 13 | 36 | 35.53 | |||
2017 | Marko Saloranta | 6 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 33.33 | |||
2017–2022 | Anna Signeul | 47 | 19 | 11 | 17 | 40.43 | |||
2022– | Marko Saloranta | 17 | 12 | 2 | 3 | 70.59 |
Players
[edit]Current squad
[edit]- The following players were called up for the UEFA Women's Euro 2025 qualifying matches against Montenegro on 24 and 29 October 2024 respectively.[8]
Stats after match with Scotland on 18 July 2023.
No. | Pos. | Player | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Goals | Club |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
23 | GK | Tinja-Riikka Korpela (captain) | 5 May 1986 | 115 | 0 | AS Roma |
GK | Anna Tamminen | 30 October 1994 | 6 | 0 | Hammarby | |
GK | Anna Koivunen | 28 November 1999 | 0 | IF Brommapojkarna | ||
15 | DF | Natalia Kuikka | 1 December 1995 | 71 | 3 | Chicago Red Stars |
DF | Joanna Tynnilä | 1 September 2001 | 3 | 0 | Brann | |
3 | DF | Eva Nyström | 29 November 1999 | 8 | 0 | Hammarby |
DF | Sanni Ojanen | 1 | 0 | KIF Örebro | ||
DF | Emmi Siren | 23 February 2001 | 3 | 0 | Nordsjælland | |
5 | DF | Emma Koivisto | 25 September 1994 | 78 | 3 | AC Milan |
11 | DF | Nora Heroum | 20 July 1994 | 84 | 1 | Parma |
DF | Nea Lehtola | 24 October 1998 | 2 | 0 | Brøndby IF | |
MF | Vilma Koivisto | 21 November 2002 | 6 | 1 | Linköpings | |
DF | Sofia Määttä | Glasgow City | ||||
MF | Eveliina Summanen | 29 May 1998 | 53 | 11 | Tottenham Hotspur | |
MF | Oona Siren | 23 February 2001 | 3 | 0 | West Ham United | |
MF | Anni Hartikainen | 19 August 2003 | 0 | 0 | Rosengård | |
4 | MF | Ria Öling | 15 September 1994 | 62 | 9 | Rosengård |
17 | FW | Sanni Franssi | 19 March 1995 | 60 | 4 | Real Sociedad |
18 | FW | Linda Sällström | 13 July 1988 | 120 | 51 | Vittsjö GIK |
FW | Lilli Halttunen | HJK | ||||
FW | Heidi Kollanen | 6 June 1997 | 19 | 2 | Vittsjö GIK | |
FW | Oona Sevenius | 28 April 2004 | 2 | 0 | AC Milan | |
FW | Dana Leskinen | 22 September 2001 | 1 | 0 | 1. FC Nürnberg |
Recent call ups
[edit]The following players have been called up to the squad in the past 12 months.
Pos. | Player | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Goals | Club | Latest call-up |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
GK | Katriina Talaslahti | 21 September 2000 | 2 | 0 | Le Havre | |
GK | Milla-Maj Majasaari | 15 October 1999 | 1 | 0 | Crystal Palace | v. Italy, 16 July 2024 |
DF | Elli Pikkujämsä | 24 October 1999 | 23 | 1 | Racing Louisville | v. Italy, 9 April 2024 |
DF | Tiia Peltonen | 8 June 1995 | 7 | 0 | Fortuna Hjørring | v. Italy, 9 April 2024 |
DF | Tuuli Viinikka | 27 October 2004 | 0 | KuPS | v. Slovakia, 5 December 2023 | |
DF | Helmi Raijas | HJK | v. Italy, 16 July 2024 | |||
MF | Emma Peuhkurinen | 30 November 1999 | 5 | 0 | Lillestrøm | v. Italy, 9 April 2024 |
MF | Katariina Kosola | 24 February 2001 | 8 | 1 | Häcken | v. Italy, 9 April 2024 |
MF | Aada Nurmi | 12 March 2003 | 0 | KuPS | v. Slovakia, 5 December 2023 | |
MF | Olga Ahtinen | 15 August 1997 | 55 | 3 | Tottenham Hotspur | v. Italy, 16 July 2024 |
MF | Emmi Alanen | 30 April 1991 | 101 | 21 | Kristianstads DFF | v. Italy, 16 July 2024 |
FW | Lotta Lindström | 10 September 2004 | 2 | 0 | London City Lionesses | v. Italy, 16 July 2024 |
FW | Jutta Rantala | 11 November 1999 | 17 | 5 | Leicester City | v. Italy, 16 July 2024 |
Records
[edit]*Active players in bold, statistics correct as of 9 July 2022
Most capped players
[edit]Rank | Player | Caps | Goals | Years |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Anna Westerlund | 145 | 4 | 2008– |
2 | Linda Sällström | 132 | 57 | 2007– |
3 | Laura Österberg Kalmari | 130 | 41 | 1996–2011 |
4 | Tuija Hyyrynen | 121 | 3 | 2007– |
5 | Sanna Valkonen | 120 | 7 | 1995–2009 |
6 | Anne Mäkinen | 118 | 16 | 1991–2009 |
Jessica Julin | 4 | 1997–2009 | ||
8 | Tinja-Riikka Korpela (GK) | 109 | 0 | 2007– |
9 | Anna-Kaisa Rantanen | 105 | 8 | 1996–2011 |
10 | Sanna Talonen | 103 | 36 | 2004–2014 |
11 | Katri Mattsson | 100 | 2 | 1999–2015 |
Source:[9]
Top goalscorers
[edit]Rank | Player | Goals | Caps | Years | Avg |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Linda Sällström | 57 | 132 | 2007– | 0,425 |
2 | Laura Österberg Kalmari | 41 | 130 | 1996–2011 | 0,315 |
3 | Sanna Talonen | 36 | 103 | 2004–2014 | 0,35 |
4 | Emmi Alanen | 21 | 97 | 2010– | 0,216 |
5 | Annica Sjölund | 17 | 69 | 2006–2014 | 0,246 |
6 | Anne Mäkinen | 16 | 118 | 1991–2009 | 0,136 |
7 | Heidi Kackur | 12 | 48 | 1999–2005 | 0,25 |
Adelina Engman | 12 | 85 | 2012– | 0,141 | |
9 | Maija Saari | 11 | 94 | 2007–2016 | 0,117 |
10 | Ria Öling | 9 | 62 | 2015– | 0,145 |
11 | Anu Toikka | 8 | 29 | 1979–1992 | 0,276 |
Susanna Heikari | 8 | 44 | 1994–2002 | 0,182 | |
Anna-Kaisa Rantanen | 8 | 105 | 1996–2011 | 0,076 |
Source:[9]
Competitive record
[edit]FIFA Women's World Cup
[edit]FIFA Women's World Cup record | Qualification record | |||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Year | Result | GP | W | D* | L | GF | GA | GD | GP | W | D* | L | GF | GA | GD | |
1991 | Did not qualify | UEFA Euro 1991 | ||||||||||||||
1995 | UEFA Euro 1995 | |||||||||||||||
1999 | 8 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 8 | 9 | −1 | |||||||||
2003 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 4 | 24 | −20 | |||||||||
2007 | 8 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 16 | 5 | +11 | |||||||||
2011 | 8 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 25 | 6 | +19 | |||||||||
2015 | 10 | 7 | 0 | 3 | 27 | 9 | +18 | |||||||||
2019 | 8 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 9 | 13 | −4 | |||||||||
2023 | 8 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 14 | 12 | −10 | |||||||||
2027 | To be determined | To be determined | ||||||||||||||
Total | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 56 | 28 | 5 | 23 | 103 | 78 | +13 |
- *Draws include knockout matches decided on penalty kicks.
Olympic Games
[edit]Summer Olympics record | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Year | Result | GP | W | D | L | GF | GA |
1996 | Did not qualify | ||||||
2000 | |||||||
2004 | |||||||
2008 | |||||||
2012 | |||||||
2016 | |||||||
2020 | |||||||
2024 | Unable to qualify | ||||||
2028 | To be determined | ||||||
2032 | |||||||
Total | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
UEFA Women's Championship
[edit]UEFA Women's Championship record | Qualifying record | |||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Year | Result | GP | W | D* | L | GF | GA | GD | GP | W | D* | L | GF | GA | GD | |
1984 | Did not qualify | 6 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 5 | 17 | −12 | ||||||||
1987 | 6 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 6 | −4 | |||||||||
1989 | 6 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 9 | 11 | −2 | |||||||||
1991 | 6 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 6 | −3 | |||||||||
1993 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 12 | −9 | |||||||||
1995 | 6 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 8 | 7 | +1 | |||||||||
1997 | 8 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 2 | 24 | −22 | |||||||||
2001 | 8 | 2 | 0 | 6 | 8 | 21 | −13 | |||||||||
2005 | Semi-finals | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 8 | −3 | 10 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 16 | 7 | +9 | |
2009 | Quarter-finals | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 5 | 5 | 0 | Qualified as host | |||||||
2013 | Group stage | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 6 | −5 | 8 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 22 | 4 | +18 | |
2017 | Did not qualify | 8 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 17 | 12 | +5 | ||||||||
2022 | Group stage | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 8 | −7 | 8 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 24 | 2 | +22 | |
2025 | ||||||||||||||||
Total | 4/13 | 14 | 3 | 3 | 8 | 12 | 27 | −15 | 84 | 31 | 19 | 34 | 119 | 129 | −10 |
- *Draws include knockout matches decided on penalty kicks.
UEFA Women's Nations League
[edit]UEFA Women's Nations League record | ||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Season | Division | Group | Pos | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | P/R | RK | |
2023–24 | B | 2 | 1st | 6 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 18 | 2 | 18th | ||
2025–26 | A | To be determined | ||||||||||
Total | 18th |
Pinatar Cup
[edit]Pinatar Cup record | ||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Year | Result | GP | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD |
2024 | Champions | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | +1 |
Total | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | +1 |
Cyprus Women's Cup
[edit]Cyprus Women's Cup record | ||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Year | Result | GP | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD |
2012 | 7th place | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 6 | 7 | −1 |
2013 | 7th place | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 6 | −1 |
2014 | 12th place | 4 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 8 | −7 |
2015 | 9th place | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 7 | −4 |
2016 | 8th place | 4 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 8 | −5 |
2018 | 11th place | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 7 | −3 |
2019 | 9th place | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 6 | −3 |
2020 | Runners-up | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 7 | 6 | +1 |
2023 | Champions | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 16 | 1 | +15 |
Total | 34 | 9 | 8 | 17 | 48 | 56 | −8 |
Algarve Cup
[edit]Algarve Cup record | |||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Year | Result | GP | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | |||||||||
1994 | 6th place | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 9 | −9 | |||||||||
1995 | 6th place | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 6 | −3 | |||||||||
1996 | 8th place | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 15 | −14 | |||||||||
1997 | 6th place | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 8 | −5 | |||||||||
1998 | 8th place | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 6 | −4 | |||||||||
1999 | 8th place | 4 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 7 | −6 | |||||||||
2000 | 7th place | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 5 | 8 | −3 | |||||||||
2001 | 7th place | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 4 | 15 | −11 | |||||||||
2002 | 7th place | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 4 | 8 | −5 | |||||||||
2003 | 6th place | 4 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 6 | −6 | |||||||||
2004 | 9th place | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 6 | 10 | −4 | |||||||||
2005 | 10th place | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 3 | 10 | −7 | |||||||||
2006 | 7th place | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 12 | −7 | |||||||||
2007 | 6th place | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 6 | −4 | |||||||||
2008 | 8th place | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 10 | −9 | |||||||||
2009 | 7th place | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 5 | −4 | |||||||||
2010 | 8th place | 4 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 11 | −9 | |||||||||
2011 | 10th place | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 13 | −11 | |||||||||
Total |
Nordic Football Championship
[edit]Women's Nordic Football Championship record | ||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Year | Result | GP | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD |
1974 | Third place | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 6 | −6 |
1975 | Third place | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 13 | −13 |
1976 | Third place | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 5 | −4 |
1977 | Third place | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 5 | −5 |
1978 | Third place | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | −3 |
1979 | Third place | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 5 | −3 |
1980 | Fourth place | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 8 | −7 |
1981 | Runners-up | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 4 | −1 |
1982 | Fourth place | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 6 | −5 |
Total | 9/9 | 23 | 3 | 6 | 14 | 9 | 56 | −47 |
See also
[edit]- Sports in Finland
- Football in Finland
- Football Association of Finland (SPL)
- Finland women's national under-20 football team
- Finland women's national under-17 football team
- Finland national football team
References
[edit]- ^ a b c "Helmarit nimetty MM-karsinta-avaukseen Serbiaa vastaan" (in Finnish). Football Association of Finland. Archived from the original on 23 June 2018. Retrieved 22 June 2018.
- ^ "The FIFA/Coca-Cola Women's World Ranking". FIFA. 16 August 2024. Retrieved 16 August 2024.
- ^ UEFA.com. "Season 2005 Matches | UEFA Women's EURO". UEFA.com. Retrieved 29 March 2024.
- ^ "Women's Euro 2009 in Finland". Embassy of Finland. 2009. Archived from the original on 29 December 2016. Retrieved 28 December 2016.
- ^ "Finland". FIFA. Archived from the original on 19 February 2015. Retrieved 28 December 2016.
- ^ "Naisten jalkapallomaajoukkueen taival on puolivuosisatainen – jo alussa mentiin sisulla ja yhteispelillä". Hämeen Sanomat. 25 October 2023. Retrieved 8 September 2024.
- ^ "Helmarit - Joukkue" (in Finnish). Finnish Football Federation. Retrieved 29 October 2024.
- ^ "Helmarit nimetty EM-jatkokarsintojen ensimmäiselle kierrokselle" (in Finnish). Football Federation. 18 October 2024.
- ^ a b "Finland – Women International Player Records". Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation (RSSSF).Published 8 October 2019, retrieved and Updated data 15 June 2021. Archived from the original on 4 April 2023. Retrieved 2 February 2023.