Finland_women's_national_football_team
Finland women's national football team
Women's national association football team representing Finland
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]
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 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]
The beginning
The Finland women's national football team played its first international match in 1973 against Sweden.[6] The game was played in Mariehamn, Åland.
Nicknames
The Finland women's national football team has been known or nicknamed as the "Helmarit (the Boreal Owls)".[1]
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
23 September 2023–24 UEFA Nations League | Finland | 4–0 | Slovakia | Turku |
17:30 (18:30 EEST) | Sällström 5' Rantala 23' Kosola 45', 75' |
Report | Stadium: Veritas Stadion Attendance: 5,062 Referee: Michèle Schmölzer (Switzerland) |
26 September 2023–24 UEFA Nations League | Romania | 0–1 | Finland | Bucharest |
18:00 | Report | Stadium: Stadionul Arcul de Triumf Referee: Angelika Soeder (Germany) |
27 October 2023–24 UEFA Nations League | Finland | 3–0 | Croatia | Helsinki |
17:45 | Report | Stadium: Bolt Arena Referee: Désirée Grundbacher (Switzerland) |
31 October 2023–24 UEFA Nations League | Croatia | 0–2 | Finland | Šibenik |
18:00 | Report |
|
Stadium: Stadion Šubićevac Referee: Teresa Oliveira (Portugal) |
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
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 |
Current coaching staff
As of August 2022
- Head coach: Marko Saloranta
- Assistant coach: Marianne Miettinen
- Assistant coach: Mika Sankala
- Assistant coach: Ann-Helen Grahm
- Goalkeeping coach: Aki Moilanen
Manager history
- As of 21 February 2024
Tenure | Coach | Record | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G | W | D | L | Win % | |||||
1973–77 | Juhani Nirkkonen | 12 | 1 | 1 | 10 | 008.33 | |||
1978 | Simo Syrjävaara | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 033.33 | |||
1979–89 | Kaj Österberg | 44 | 13 | 12 | 19 | 029.55 | |||
1989–92 | Jyrki Nieminen | 24 | 3 | 4 | 17 | 012.50 | |||
1993–96 | Nils Suomalainen | 24 | 4 | 5 | 15 | 016.67 | |||
1996–00 | Reima Kokko | 46 | 11 | 3 | 32 | 023.91 | |||
2001–09 | Michael Käld | 107 | 35 | 22 | 50 | 032.71 | |||
2010–16 | Andrée Jeglertz | 76 | 27 | 13 | 36 | 035.53 | |||
2017 | Marko Saloranta | 6 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 033.33 | |||
2017–2022 | Anna Signeul | 47 | 19 | 11 | 17 | 040.43 | |||
2022– | Marko Saloranta | 17 | 12 | 2 | 3 | 070.59 |
Current squad
- The following players were called up for the UEFA Women's Euro 2025 qualifying matches against Norway and Italy on 12 and 16 July 2024 respectively.[7]
Stats after match with Scotland on 18 July 2023.
No. | Pos. | Player | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Goals | Club |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
23 | 1GK | Tinja-Riikka Korpela (captain) | (1986-05-05) 5 May 1986 (age 38) | 115 | 0 | AS Roma |
1GK | Anna Tamminen | (1994-10-30) 30 October 1994 (age 29) | 6 | 0 | Hammarby | |
1GK | Milla-Maj Majasaari | (1999-10-15) 15 October 1999 (age 24) | 1 | 0 | Crystal Palace | |
15 | 2DF | Natalia Kuikka | (1995-12-01) 1 December 1995 (age 28) | 71 | 3 | Chicago Red Stars |
2DF | Joanna Tynnilä | (2001-09-01) 1 September 2001 (age 23) | 3 | 0 | Brann | |
3 | 2DF | Eva Nyström | (1999-11-29) 29 November 1999 (age 24) | 8 | 0 | Hammarby |
5 | 2DF | Emma Koivisto | (1994-09-25) 25 September 1994 (age 29) | 78 | 3 | AC Milan |
2DF | Emmi Siren | (2001-02-23) 23 February 2001 (age 23) | 3 | 0 | Nordsjælland | |
11 | 2DF | Nora Heroum | (1994-07-20) 20 July 1994 (age 30) | 84 | 1 | Parma |
2DF | Nea Lehtola | (1998-10-24) 24 October 1998 (age 25) | 2 | 0 | Brøndby IF | |
2DF | Helmi Raijas | HJK | ||||
3MF | Vilma Koivisto | (2002-11-21) 21 November 2002 (age 21) | 6 | 1 | Linköpings | |
3MF | Eveliina Summanen | (1998-05-29) 29 May 1998 (age 26) | 53 | 11 | Tottenham Hotspur | |
3MF | Oona Siren | (2001-02-23) 23 February 2001 (age 23) | 3 | 0 | West Ham United | |
3MF | Anni Hartikainen | (2003-08-19) 19 August 2003 (age 21) | 0 | 0 | Rosengård | |
4 | 3MF | Ria Öling | (1994-09-15) 15 September 1994 (age 29) | 62 | 9 | Rosengård |
3MF | Olga Ahtinen | (1997-08-15) 15 August 1997 (age 27) | 55 | 3 | Tottenham Hotspur | |
3MF | Emmi Alanen | (1991-04-30) 30 April 1991 (age 33) | 101 | 21 | Kristianstads DFF | |
18 | 4FW | Linda Sällström | (1988-07-13) 13 July 1988 (age 36) | 120 | 51 | Vittsjö GIK |
22 | 4FW | Jutta Rantala | (1999-11-11) 11 November 1999 (age 24) | 17 | 5 | Leicester City |
4FW | Heidi Kollanen | (1997-06-06) 6 June 1997 (age 27) | 19 | 2 | Vittsjö GIK | |
4FW | Oona Sevenius | (2004-04-28) 28 April 2004 (age 20) | 2 | 0 | AC Milan | |
4FW | Lotta Lindström | (2004-09-10) 10 September 2004 (age 20) | 2 | 0 | London City Lionesses | |
4FW | Dana Leskinen | (2001-09-22) 22 September 2001 (age 22) | 1 | 0 | 1. FC Nürnberg |
Recent call ups
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 | (2000-09-21) 21 September 2000 (age 23) | 2 | 0 | Le Havre | |
GK | Anna Koivunen | (1999-11-28) 28 November 1999 (age 24) | 0 | IF Brommapojkarna | v. Netherlands, 4 June 2024 | |
DF | Elli Pikkujämsä | (1999-10-24) 24 October 1999 (age 24) | 23 | 1 | Racing Louisville | v. Italy, 9 April 2024 |
DF | Tiia Peltonen | (1995-06-08) 8 June 1995 (age 29) | 7 | 0 | Fortuna Hjørring | v. Italy, 9 April 2024 |
DF | Tuuli Viinikka | (2004-10-27) 27 October 2004 (age 19) | 0 | KuPS | v. Slovakia, 5 December 2023 | |
MF | Emma Peuhkurinen | (1999-11-30) 30 November 1999 (age 24) | 5 | 0 | Lillestrøm | v. Italy, 9 April 2024 |
MF | Katariina Kosola | (2001-02-24) 24 February 2001 (age 23) | 8 | 1 | Häcken | v. Italy, 9 April 2024 |
MF | Aada Nurmi | (2003-03-12) 12 March 2003 (age 21) | 0 | KuPS | v. Slovakia, 5 December 2023 | |
FW | Sanni Franssi | (1995-03-19) 19 March 1995 (age 29) | 60 | 4 | Real Sociedad | v. Netherlands, 4 June 2024 |
*Active players in bold, statistics correct as of 9 July 2022
Most capped players
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:[8]
Top goalscorers
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:[8]
FIFA Women's World Cup
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
UEFA Women's Championship
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
Pinatar Cup
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
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
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
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 |
- "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 nimetty EM-karsintojen ratkaisuotteluihin Norjaa ja Italiaa vastaan" (in Finnish). Football Federation. 28 May 2024.
- "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.