Huuhkajat update

With the clock ticking and preparations well underway for Finland ahead of their historic appearance at The European Championships, the Finnish Football Show has compiled all the relevant updates to keep our fellow fans informed.

The Camp

A number of players are yet to arrive at Camp Kanerva, Marcus Forss and Niki Mäenpää both have a play-off finals looking to secure promotion to the Premier League and Serie A respectively. Joona Toivio has a Cup Final while Robert Taylor, Robin Lod and Jukka Raitala have games to play at club level. Joel Pohjanpalo has a minor knee injury and Glen Kamara is taking additional rest days after a particularly gruelling season in Glasgow. Called up to camp, but with only an outside chance if making it to the competition, are HJK striker Roope Riski and Mjällby ‘keeper Saku Eriksson. The larger squad will be preparing for the upcoming games against Sweden and Estonia, but we already know that Simon Skrabb, Jasse Tuominen and Rasmus Karjalainen won’t make the squad / tournament due to injury.

Key Dates (all in finland Time)

Monday 24th May: Formal confirmation of the UEFA ballot to fans.

Thursday May 27th: Citadella – Venezia (22:30) Serie A play-off Final

Saturday 29th May: Brentford – Swansea (17:00), Sweden – Finland (19:00)

Sunday 30th May: Hammarby – Hacken (15:30) Svenska Cuppen Final

Friday 4th June: Finland – Estonia (19:00)

Friday 11th June: Euro 2020 kicks off (Turkey – Italy, 22:00)

Saturday 12th June: Denmark – Finland (19:00)

Fans

VR have confirmed that there will be no commuter trains to St. Petersburg for the tournament, while many fans have had their ticket status updated most are still waiting for official confirmation. Finland fan group, SMJK, will be getting more tickets (CAT1 & CAT2) and they expect to add another charter flight to their Denmark trip this week. The Palloliitto has also opened a Euro 2020 portal with useful links for travelling fans during the tournament (in Finnish) here.

Misc.

Tim Sparv confirms he has parted company with AE Larissa.

Sweden coach Janne Anderson has confirmed that Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s knee injury will keep him out of the squad heading to the Euros.

Tickets go on sale this week for the upcoming World Cup Qualifiers this autumn, Finland have home games against Kazakhstan, Ukraine and France.