The Finnish team “Helmarit” (Boreal Owls in English) are one of the underdogs in the tournament. Helmarit are in Group A, together with countries from Northern Europe. These include Iceland and Norway, and the tournament hosts, Switzerland. Finland Manager Marko Saloranta’s team faced Iceland in their opening game.
Two experienced players from Finland, striker Linda Sällström from Vittsjö GIK, Sweden, and goalkeeper Tinja-Riikka “Tinni” Korpela from Servette FC, Switzerland, who are already heading to third and fourth European Championship tournament, have a combined 280 caps, making them the most experienced players in the team. Sällström holds the Finnish record for the most caps, as well as the most goals scored, across both women’s and men’s national teams. She’s not only a Finnish football legend, but she’s also academically brilliant and currently studying medicine to become a doctor.
Korpela is a goalkeeper who leads by experience. She is a two-time Frauen Bundesliga champion with Bayern Munich, serving as their first-choice goalkeeper, and has extensive experience from the WSL, having played for both Everton and Tottenham Hotspur. Also, she has won titles and trophies in multiple European countries and leagues.
In addition to these very experienced players, there are rising young talents heading to their first major tournament, such as striker Oona Sevenius from FC Rosengård, Sweden, who is hungry to score as many goals as possible, and Katariina Kosola from Malmö FF, Sweden, who is rapid and thrives in 1v1 situations.
Sadly, a few of the key players in the team have had injury issues going into the tournament. Jutta Rantala, Leicester City’s star striker and Player of the Year in the 2023-2024 season, hasn’t played since October 2024 due to a knee injury. She’s called up, and fans hope she’s fit enough to make an impact in the competition.
Another question mark before the start of the tournament was AC Milan’s Emma Koivisto, who had been out for the last few games. She’s another experienced player and hard worker who the Finnish team and fans would be more than happy to see on the team sheet and hopefully in the starting eleven. She has a vast portfolio of teams she has played in, Brighton and Liverpool in the WSL, as well as experience from US college football with the Florida State Seminoles.
A player that is worth looking out for is another hard worker, Nea Lehtola, from SK Brann in Norway, after recently cementing her place in the starting eleven. She is someone who won’t stop running, possesses excellent passing, shooting, and crossing skills, and excels in 1v1 situations. She is a leader on the pitch and a potential captain in the future.
The dancing queen in the midfield is Eveliina Summanen from Tottenham. She works very well together with her club teammate and fellow midfielder Olga Ahtinen. If someone is going to score a beautiful goal from the halfway line in the tournament, it will be Summanen.
What is better than one talented player is talented twins. Oona Siren from West Ham and Emmi Siren from FC Nordsjælland, Denmark. Both girls are fearless and creative players, having trained together and challenged each other from a young age. Siren shined during her debut season in the WSL, and has quickly improved her skills in a competitive league.
I’ve had the pleasure of watching Helmarit play multiple games now as they prepare for their final group game of the Euros. This team shines in front of their home crowd, but with over a four-digit number of fans going to Switzerland, I’m sure they’ll draw energy from the fans and soak in the atmosphere, hearing the fans chant and sing the national anthem. Helmarit is prepared for the Euros, and we’re ready to go – together!
