A full house in prospect for arrival of Russia
Finnish injury worries mostly resolved
The earlier forecast for rain* this evening when Finland entertain Russia in a World Cup qualifier in the Olympic Stadium in Helsinki is looking increasingly like a false alarm.
Rain or shine, the place will be full, as the match has been sold out for some time, and more than 4,000 travelling Russian supporters are also expected to attend, over and above those Russians who have bought tickets here in Finland.
Some injury worries for Finnish coach Stuart Baxter immediately after the team's 2-1 win over Liechtenstein on Saturday seem to have receded.
Of those players who were carrying minor knocks before or after that game, only Shefki Kuqi and Petri Pasanen remain serious doubts for tonight.
Striker Jonatan Johansson, who has scored six times in his last six appearances in a Finnish shirt, has recovered from a minor ankle injury, and veteran Jari Litmanen also looks to be fit to play at least a part of the game.
The Finns will need every able-bodied man, as Guus Hiddink will be bringing a full-strength Russian side that includes such names as Andrei Arshavin (Arsenal), Roman Pavlyuchenko (Tottenham Hotspur), and the dangerous attacking wide man Yuri Zhirkov (CSKA Moscow), who has recently been targeted by Chelsea.
The Finnish side gave a fairly woeful performance at the reverse fixture in Moscow last year, losing 3-0, but this time they need to up their game: in terms of qualification hopes, this is a must-win match.
After this one, the Finns have only Wales left at home, and must travel to Azerbaijan and Liechtenstein, and then to current group leaders Germany in the final match in October.
Anyone attending tonight is advised to get there in good time, as there will be long lines and security checks at the turnstiles, and also to remember that umbrellas will NOT be welcomed.
What will be welcome is a lot of noise.
With such a large contingent of away fans expected, the Finns will need to forget they are a taciturn bunch, turn up the volume, and sing along with the fans on the North Bank.
Kick-off is at 20:30, and for those without a ticket, the match will be shown live on Canal+ Sport and on TV-Viisi.
*The latest predictions are that the match may actually avoid the worst of the rain, as the frontal system seems to be just missing us. Rain gear is nonetheless recommended just in case. At 16:45, things are starting to look a great deal more promising - it now appears we could have bright conditions after all. Go figure.
More on this subject:
 Finland 0 Russia 3 - "Déjà vu all over again"
Fans clash in the streets before game
Previously in HS International Edition:
Finland 2 Liechtenstein 1 (UEFA World Cup Qualification Group 4) (8.6.2009)
See also:
Big Russian contingent anticipated for World Cup qualifier in Helsinki (2.6.2009)
Links:
Finland National Football Team (Wikipedia)
Helsingin Sanomat
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