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Finland women's national football team

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(Redirected from The Boreal Owls)
This article is about the women's team. For the men's team, see Finland national football team.

Finland
Shirt badge/Association crest
Nickname(s)Helmarit (the Boreal Owls)[1]
AssociationFootball Association
of Finland
(Suomen Palloliitto)
ConfederationUEFA (Europe)
Head coachMarko Saloranta
CaptainTinja-Riikka Korpela
Most capsAnna Westerlund (145)
Top scorerLinda Sällström (59)
FIFA codeFIN
First colours
Second colours
FIFA ranking
Current 26 Steady (13 December 2024)[2]
Highest14 (September 2005)
Lowest32 (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
Appearances5 (first in 2005)
Best resultSemi-finals (2005)

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]

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]

History

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The beginning

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The Finland women's national football team played its first international match in 1973 against Sweden.[6] The game was played in Mariehamn, Åland.

Team image

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Nicknames

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The Finland women's national football team has been known or nicknamed as the "Helmarit (the Boreal Owls)".[1]

Results and fixtures

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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

2024

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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
25 October Euro 2025 qualifying play-offs Montenegro  0–1  Finland Podgorica
17:30 Report Stadium: Podgorica City Stadium
29 October Euro 2025 qualifying play-offs Finland  5–0
(6–0 agg.)		  Montenegro Tampere
18:30 CEST (UTC+02:00)
Report Stadium: Tammelan Stadion
Attendance: 4,849
Referee: Eleni Antoniou (Greece)
3 December Euro 2025 qualifying play-offs Finland  2–0
(2–0 agg.)		  Scotland Helsinki
(UTC+03:00)
Report Stadium: Bolt Arena
Attendance: 7,259

2025

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21 February 2025 Nations League Serbia  v  Finland
25 February 2025 Nations League Hungary  v  Finland
4 April 2025 Nations League Finland  v  Belarus
8 April 2025 Nations League Finland  v  Hungary
30 May 2025 Nations League Belarus  v  Finland
3 June 2025 Nations League Finland  v  Serbia
2 July Euro 2025 Group stage Iceland  v  Finland Thun
Stadium: Stockhorn Arena
6 July Euro 2025 Group stage Norway  v  Finland Sion
Stadium: Stade de Tourbillon
10 July Euro 2025 Group stage Finland  v  Switzerland Geneva
Stadium: Stade de Genève

Coaching staff

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Current coaching staff

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As of October 2024[7]

Manager history

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See also: Category:Finland women's national football team managers
As of 3 December 2024
Tenure Coach Record
G W D L Win %
1973–77 Finland Juhani Nirkkonen 12 1 1 10 008.33
1978 Finland Simo Syrjävaara 3 1 1 1 033.33
1979–89 Finland Kaj Österberg 44 13 12 19 029.55
1989–92 Finland Jyrki Nieminen 24 3 4 17 012.50
1993–96 Finland Nils Suomalainen 24 4 5 15 016.67
1996–00 Finland Reima Kokko 46 11 3 32 023.91
2001–09 Finland Michael Käld 107 35 22 50 032.71
2010–16 Sweden Andrée Jeglertz 76 27 13 36 035.53
2017 Finland Marko Saloranta 6 2 0 4 033.33
2017–2022 Sweden Anna Signeul 47 19 11 17 040.43
2022– Finland Marko Saloranta 29 17 6 6 058.62

Players

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Current squad

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Stats after match with Scotland 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 Italy AS Roma
1GK Anna Tamminen (1994-10-30) 30 October 1994 (age 30) 6 0 Sweden Hammarby
1GK Anna Koivunen (1999-11-28) 28 November 1999 (age 25) 0 Sweden IF Brommapojkarna
15 2DF Natalia Kuikka (1995-12-01) 1 December 1995 (age 29) 71 3 United States Chicago Red Stars
2DF Joanna Tynnilä (2001-09-01) 1 September 2001 (age 23) 3 0 Norway Brann
3 2DF Eva Nyström (1999-11-29) 29 November 1999 (age 25) 8 0 Sweden Hammarby
2DF Emmi Siren (2001-02-23) 23 February 2001 (age 23) 3 0 Denmark Nordsjælland
5 2DF Emma Koivisto (1994-09-25) 25 September 1994 (age 30) 78 3 Italy AC Milan
11 2DF Nora Heroum (1994-07-20) 20 July 1994 (age 30) 84 1 Italy Parma
2DF Nea Lehtola (1998-10-24) 24 October 1998 (age 26) 2 0 Norway Brann
3MF Katariina Kosola (2001-02-24) 24 February 2001 (age 23) 8 1 Sweden Häcken
3MF Vilma Koivisto (2002-11-21) 21 November 2002 (age 22) 6 1 Sweden Linköpings
3MF Eveliina Summanen (1998-05-29) 29 May 1998 (age 26) 53 11 England Tottenham Hotspur
3MF Oona Siren (2001-02-23) 23 February 2001 (age 23) 3 0 England West Ham United
3MF Anni Hartikainen (2003-08-19) 19 August 2003 (age 21) 0 0 Sweden Rosengård
3MF Olga Ahtinen (1997-08-15) 15 August 1997 (age 27) 55 3 England Tottenham Hotspur
4 3MF Ria Öling (1994-09-15) 15 September 1994 (age 30) 62 9 Sweden Rosengård
3MF Emmi Alanen (1991-04-30) 30 April 1991 (age 33) 101 21 Sweden Kristianstads DFF
17 4FW Sanni Franssi (1995-03-19) 19 March 1995 (age 29) 60 4 Spain Real Sociedad
18 4FW Linda Sällström (1988-07-13) 13 July 1988 (age 36) 120 51 Sweden Vittsjö GIK
4FW Heidi Kollanen (1997-06-06) 6 June 1997 (age 27) 19 2 Sweden Vittsjö GIK
4FW Oona Sevenius (2004-04-28) 28 April 2004 (age 20) 2 0 Italy AC Milan
4FW Dana Leskinen (2001-09-22) 22 September 2001 (age 23) 1 0 Germany 1. FC Nürnberg
4FW Lilli Halttunen Finland HJK

Recent call ups

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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 24) 2 0 France Le Havre
GK Milla-Maj Majasaari (1999-10-15) 15 October 1999 (age 25) 1 0 England Crystal Palace v.  Italy, 16 July 2024
DF Elli Pikkujämsä (1999-10-24) 24 October 1999 (age 25) 23 1 United States Racing Louisville v.  Italy, 9 April 2024
DF Tiia Peltonen (1995-06-08) 8 June 1995 (age 29) 7 0 Denmark Fortuna Hjørring v.  Italy, 9 April 2024
DF Tuuli Viinikka (2004-10-27) 27 October 2004 (age 20) 0 Finland KuPS v.  Slovakia, 5 December 2023
DF Helmi Raijas Finland HJK v.  Italy, 16 July 2024
DF Sanni Ojanen 1 0 Sweden KIF Örebro v.  Montenegro,29 October 2024
DF Sofia Määttä Scotland Glasgow City v.  Montenegro,29 October 2024
MF Emma Peuhkurinen (1999-11-30) 30 November 1999 (age 25) 5 0 Norway Lillestrøm v.  Italy, 9 April 2024
MF Aada Nurmi (2003-03-12) 12 March 2003 (age 21) 0 Finland KuPS v.  Slovakia, 5 December 2023
FW Lotta Lindström (2004-09-10) 10 September 2004 (age 20) 2 0 England London City Lionesses v.  Italy, 16 July 2024
FW Jutta Rantala (1999-11-11) 11 November 1999 (age 25) 17 5 England Leicester City v.  Italy, 16 July 2024

Records

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See also: Category:Finland women's international footballers

*Active players in bold, statistics correct as of 9 July 2022

Most capped players

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Anna Westerlund currently holds the record for the most appearances for the Finland women's national football team.
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:[9]

Top goalscorers

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Linda Sällström currently holds the record for the most goals for the Finland women's national football team.
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:[9]

Competitive record

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FIFA Women's World Cup

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FIFA Women's World Cup record Qualification record
Year Result GP W D* L GF GA GD Round GP W D* L GF GA GD
China 1991 Did not qualify UEFA Euro 1991
Sweden 1995 UEFA Euro 1995
United States 1999 Play-offs 8 3 1 4 8 9 −1
United States 2003 Group 2 6 1 0 5 4 24 −20
China 2007 Group 3 8 5 1 2 16 5 +11
Germany 2011 Group 7 8 6 1 1 25 6 +19
Canada 2015 Group 7 10 7 0 3 27 9 +18
France 2019 Group 7 8 3 1 4 9 13 −4
AustraliaNew Zealand 2023 Group A 8 3 1 4 14 12 −10
Brazil 2027 To be determined To be determined
Total - - - - - - - - Round 56 28 5 23 103 78 +13
*Draws include knockout matches decided on penalty kicks.

Olympic Games

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Summer Olympics record
Year Result GP W D L GF GA
United States 1996 Did not qualify
Australia 2000
Greece 2004
China 2008
United Kingdom 2012
Brazil 2016
Japan 2020
France 2024 Unable to qualify
United States 2028 To be determined
Australia 2032
Total - - - - - - -

UEFA Women's Championship

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UEFA Women's Championship record Qualifying record
Year Result P W D* L GF GA GD Round P W D* L GF GA GD P/R Rnk
1984 Did not qualify Group 1 6 2 0 4 5 17 −12 –
Norway 1987 Group 1 6 1 2 3 2 6 −4
West Germany 1989 Group 1 6 1 2 3 9 11 −2
Denmark 1991 Group 3 6 1 2 3 3 6 −3
Italy 1993 Group 2 4 0 2 2 3 12 −9
Germany 1995 Group 1 6 2 3 1 8 7 +1
Norway Sweden 1997 Play-offs 8 1 1 6 2 24 −22
Germany 2001 Play-offs 8 2 0 6 8 21 −13
England 2005 Semi-finals 4 1 1 2 5 8 −3 Play-offs 10 4 4 2 16 7 +9 –
Finland 2009 Quarter-finals 4 2 0 2 5 5 0 Qualified as host
Sweden 2013 Group stage 3 0 2 1 1 6 −5 Group 5 8 6 1 1 22 4 +18 –
Netherlands 2017 Did not qualify Group 2 8 4 1 3 17 12 +5
England 2022 Group stage 3 0 0 3 1 8 −7 Group E 8 7 1 0 24 2 +22
Switzerland 2025 Qualified Play-offs 10 4 3 3 12 12 0 Fall[a] 13th
2029 To be determined To be determined
Total 5/14 14 3 3 8 12 27 −15 Total 94 35 22 37 131 141 −10 13th
*Draws include knockout matches decided on penalty kicks.

UEFA Women's Nations League

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UEFA Women's Nations League record
Season Division Group Pos Pld W D L GF GA P/R Rnk
2023–24 B 2 1st 6 5 1 0 18 2 Rise 18th
2025 B 3 To be determined
Total 6 5 1 0 18 2 18th
Rise Promoted at end of season
Same position No movement at end of season
Fall Relegated at end of season
* Participated in promotion/relegation play-offs

Pinatar Cup

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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

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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

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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

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Women's Nordic Football Championship record
Year Result GP W D L GF GA GD
Finland 1974 Third place 2 0 0 2 0 6 −6
Denmark 1975 Third place 2 0 0 2 0 13 −13
Sweden 1976 Third place 2 0 0 2 1 5 −4
Finland 1977 Third place 2 0 0 2 0 5 −5
Denmark 1978 Third place 3 1 1 1 1 4 −3
Norway 1979 Third place 3 1 1 1 2 5 −3
Sweden 1980 Fourth place 3 0 2 1 1 8 −7
Finland 1981 Runners-up 3 1 1 1 3 4 −1
Denmark 1982 Fourth place 3 0 1 2 1 6 −5
Total 9/9 23 3 6 14 9 56 −47

See also

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Notes

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  1. ^ From Euro 2025 onwards a new qualifying format was introduced, linked to the Women's Nations League where teams are divided into leagues with promotion/relegation between the leagues at the end of each cycle.

References

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  1. ^ a b c "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.
  2. ^ "The FIFA/Coca-Cola Women's World Ranking". FIFA. 13 December 2024. Retrieved 13 December 2024.
  3. ^ UEFA.com. "Season 2005 Matches | UEFA Women's EURO". UEFA.com. Retrieved 29 March 2024.
  4. ^ "Women's Euro 2009 in Finland". Embassy of Finland. 2009. Archived from the original on 29 December 2016. Retrieved 28 December 2016.
  5. ^ "Finland". FIFA. Archived from the original on 19 February 2015. Retrieved 28 December 2016.
  6. ^ "Naisten jalkapallomaajoukkueen taival on puolivuosisatainen – jo alussa mentiin sisulla ja yhteispelillä". Hämeen Sanomat. 25 October 2023. Retrieved 8 September 2024.
  7. ^ "Helmarit - Joukkue" (in Finnish). Finnish Football Federation. Retrieved 29 October 2024.
  8. ^ "Helmarit nimetty EM-jatkokarsintojen ratkaisuotteluihin Skotlantia vastaan" (in Finnish). Football Federation. 18 November 2024.
  9. ^ a b "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.
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