Finnish Under-21s start their European Championships bid with tough tie against England

Tim Sparv

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Finland's national Under-21 football squad begin their first appearance in the UEFA European Championship finals in Sweden today, with a tough tie against England, one of the favourites for the tournament.
      The Finns go into the match as definite underdogs, but England coach Stuart Pearce firmly denies that there will be any underestimation of the opposition, in spite of the presence in the English squad of a host of Premiership players.
     
The Finnish side captained by Tim Sparv and coached by Markku Kanerva secured a place among the eight teams in the finals by winning their group, which included Scotland and Denmark, and then beating Austria over two legs in a play-off tie.
      The other two teams in the Finnish opening group are Germany and Spain.
     
Whilst few believe the Finns will be able to produce a major upset, the tournament hosted by Sweden offers an excellent shop-window for the young players, and could lead also to a call-up for the senior side later in the autumn for some of the Under-21s who make an impression.
      After Finland's 3-0 defeat to Russia last week, the chances of the national team making it to the World Cup in South Africa in 2010 have become parlously thin, and there has been talk of initiating a change-of-generation within the senior squad, even before the current qualifying campaign is done and dusted.
     
     
Tonight's game will kick-off at 19:15 Finnish time, and will be screened live on TV-Viisi.


Previously in HS International Edition:
  Finland Under-21s fight back to grab European Championship finals place after penalty shoot-out (15.10.2008)

Links:
  UEFA Under-21s European Championship, Sweden
  Finland national under-21 football team (Wikipedia)

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