Euro 2020 Squad Guide and Analysis: Finland

    Euro 2020 Squad Guide and Analysis: Finland
    01/06/21 2469

    Finland are one of the lowest-ranked nations at Euro 2020 and will face Belgium, Denmark and Russia in Group B. Can Teemu Pukki fire his country into the knockout phase?

    • Manager: Markku Kanerva

    • Current FIFA World Ranking: 54th

    • Best European Championship finish: N/A

    Only one country – North Macedonia – sit below Finland in the FIFA World Rankings. This is also the first major tournament that Finland have qualified for.

    Let’s take a look at Finland's Euro 2020 squad, assess their group, discuss their star player and predict how fare they can go.

    • Finland’s Euro 2020 Squad

    Goalkeepers: Lukas Hradecky (Leverkusen), Jesse Joronen (Brescia), Anssi Jaakkola (Bristol Rovers), Carljohan Eriksson (Mjallby).

    Defenders: Juhani Ojala (Vejle), Leo Vaisanen (Elfsborg), Sauli Vaisanent (Chievo), Paulus Arajuuri (Pafos), Daniel O’Shaugnessy (HJK Helsinki), Robert Ivanov (Warta Poznan), Albin Granlund (Stal Mielec), Jere Uronen (Genk), Nicholas Hamalainen (QPR), Nikolai Alho (MTK Budapest).

    Midfielders: Pyry Soiri (Esbjerg), Joni Kauko (Esbjerg), Onni Valakari (Pafos), Rasmus Schuller (Djurgarden), Thomas Lam (Zwolle), Tim Sparv (Larissa), Fredrik Jensen (Augsburg).

    Forwards: Lassi Lappalainen (Montreal), Jasin Assehnoun (Lahti), Teemu Pukki (Norwich), Roope Riski (HJK Helsinki).

    Set to arrive later: Jukka Raitala (Minnesota United), Joona Toivio (Hacken), Robert Taylor (Brann), Robin Lod (Minnesota United), Niki Maenpaa (Venezia).

    • Who Will Finland Face in Group B?

    Finland are rank outsiders in Group B, which also features Belgium, Denmark and Russia. They kick off Euro 2020 with a match against Denmark in Copenhagen on June 12.

    Four days later, Finland face Russia in St Petersburg on June 16, before coming up against Group B favourites Belgium on June 21.

    • Finland’s Star Player

    Teemu Pukki: If Finland are to stand any chance of reaching the knockout phase, Teemu Pukki will need to score goals. Thankfully, the lethal striker has netted 30 goals in 89 appearances for his country.

    Embed from Getty Images

    The Norwich star secured promotion to the Premier League with the Canaries this year, scoring 26 goals in 41 Championship matches. He must be at his absolute best if Finland want to avoid humiliation.

    • How Far Can Finland Go?

    Given that Finland are expected to end up bottom of Group B, the best they can hope for is a Round of 16 finish.

    However, if they get off to a poor start against Denmark and Russia, they are likely to be thrashed by Belgium and fail to make it out of their group.

    Prediction: Group Stage

    Euro Championship


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