Finland women's national football team

Last updated

Finland
Finland national football team crest.png
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 Linda Sällström (155) [2]
Top scorerLinda Sällström (64)
FIFA code FIN
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First colours
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Second colours
FIFA ranking
Current 22 Increase2.svg 4 (7 August 2025) [3]
Highest14 (September 2005)
Lowest32 (March 2019)
First international
Flag of Finland.svg  Finland 0–0 Sweden  Flag of Sweden.svg
(Mariehamn, Finland; 25 August 1973)
Biggest win
Flag of Bulgaria.svg  Bulgaria 0–8 Finland  Flag of Finland.svg
(Lovech, Bulgaria; 21 August 2014)
Flag of Finland.svg  Finland 8–0 Hungary  Flag of Hungary.svg
(Larnaca, Cyprus; 19 February 2023)
Biggest defeat
Flag of Denmark.svg  Denmark 9–0 Finland  Flag of Finland.svg
(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. [4] Finland hosted the 2009 European Championship. [5]

Contents

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. [6]

History

The beginning

The Finland women's national football team played its first international match in 1973 against Sweden. [7] The game was played in Mariehamn, Åland.

Team image

Nicknames

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

Results and fixtures

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

12 July Euro 2025 qualifying Finland  Flag of Finland.svg1–1Flag of Norway.svg  Norway Turku
  • Koivisto Soccerball shade.svg90+8'
Report
Stadium: Veritas Stadion
Attendance: 7,349
16 July Euro 2025 qualifying Italy  Flag of Italy.svg4–0Flag of Finland.svg  Finland Bolzano
19:00 Report Stadium: Stadio Druso
29 October Euro 2025 qualifying play-offs Finland  Flag of Finland.svg5–0
(6–0 agg.)
Flag of Montenegro.svg  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  Flag of Finland.svg2–0
(2–0 agg.)
Flag of Scotland.svg  Scotland Helsinki
(UTC+03:00)
Report Stadium: Bolt Arena
Attendance: 7,259

2025

21 February 2025 Nations League Serbia  Flag of Serbia.svg1–0Flag of Finland.svg  Finland Stara Pazova
18:00 Damnjanović Soccerball shade.svg43' (pen.) Report Stadium: Serbian FA Sports Center
Attendance: 280
Referee: Michaela Pachtova (Czech Republic)
25 February 2025 Nations League Hungary  Flag of Hungary.svg0–1Flag of Finland.svg  Finland Budapest
Report
Stadium: Hidegkuti Nándor Stadion
Referee: Hristiyana Guteva (Bulgaria)
4 April 2025 Nations League Finland  Flag of Finland.svg0–0Flag of Belarus.svg  Belarus Novara
Report Stadium: Stadio Silvio Piola [note 1]
Attendance: 0 [note 1]
Referee: Emanuela Rusta (Albania)
8 April 2025 Nations League Finland  Flag of Finland.svg3–0Flag of Hungary.svg  Hungary Tampere
Report Stadium: Tammelan Stadion
Attendance: 4,135
Referee: Angelika Söder (Germany)
3 June 2025 Nations League Finland  Flag of Finland.svg1–1Flag of Serbia.svg  Serbia Helsinki
20:00 Lehtola Soccerball shade.svg71' Roth Soccerball shade.svg84' (o.g.)Stadium: Helsinki Olympic Stadium
Attendance: 8,970
Referee: Sandra Bastos (Portugal)
26 June Friendly Netherlands  Flag of the Netherlands.svg2–1Flag of Finland.svg  Finland Leeuwarden
20:00
Stadium: Kooi Stadion
2 July Euro 2025 Group stage Iceland  Flag of Iceland.svg0–1Flag of Finland.svg  Finland Thun
18:00
Stadium: Stockhorn Arena
Attendance: 7,683
Referee: Katalin Kulcsar
6 July Euro 2025 GS Norway  Flag of Norway.svg2–1Flag of Finland.svg  Finland Sion, Switzerland
18:00  UTC+2 Report Stadium: Stade de Tourbillon
Attendance: 7,376
Referee: Silvia Gasperotti (Italy)
10 July Euro 2025 GS Finland  Flag of Finland.svg1–1Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg  Switzerland Geneva
21:00
Report
Stadium: Stade de Genève
Attendance: 26,388
Referee: Stéphanie Frappart (France)

Coaching staff

Current coaching staff

As of October 2024 [9] [10]

Manager history

As of 2 July 2025
TenureCoachRecord
GWDLWin %
1973–77 Flag of Finland.svg Juhani Nirkkonen 121110008.33
1978 Flag of Finland.svg Simo Syrjävaara 3111033.33
1979–89 Flag of Finland.svg Kaj Österberg 44131219029.55
1989–92 Flag of Finland.svg Jyrki Nieminen 243417012.50
1993–96 Flag of Finland.svg Nils Suomalainen 244515016.67
1996–00 Flag of Finland.svg Reima Kokko 4611332023.91
2001–09 Flag of Finland.svg Michael Käld 107352250032.71
2010–16 Flag of Sweden.svg Andrée Jeglertz 76271336035.53
2017 Flag of Finland.svg Marko Saloranta 6204033.33
2017–2022 Flag of Sweden.svg Anna Signeul 47191117040.43
2022– Flag of Finland.svg Marko Saloranta 372188056.76

Players

Current squad


The following players were called up for the UEFA Women's Euro 2025 [11]

Caps and goals correct as of 10 July 2025, after the match against Switzerland. [12]
No.Pos.PlayerDate of birth (age)CapsGoalsClub
11 GK Anna Koivunen (1999-11-28) 28 November 1999 (age 25)80 Flag of Sweden.svg Djurgården
121 GK Anna Tamminen (1994-10-30) 30 October 1994 (age 30)160 Flag of Sweden.svg Hammarby
231 GK Tinja-Riikka Korpela (1986-05-05) 5 May 1986 (age 39)1280 Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg Servette

32 DF Eva Nyström (1999-11-29) 29 November 1999 (age 25)322 Flag of England.svg West Ham United
52 DF Emma Koivisto (1994-09-25) 25 September 1994 (age 30)1127 Flag of Italy.svg AC Milan
62 DF Joanna Tynnilä (2001-09-01) 1 September 2001 (age 23)240 Flag of Norway.svg Brann
102 DF Emmi Siren (2001-02-23) 23 February 2001 (age 24)80 Flag of France.svg Dijon
112 DF Nora Heroum (1994-07-20) 20 July 1994 (age 31)932 Flag of Finland.svg HJK
152 DF Natalia Kuikka (1995-12-01) 1 December 1995 (age 29)1025 Flag of the United States.svg Chicago Red Stars
162 DF Nea Lehtola (1998-10-24) 24 October 1998 (age 26)173 Flag of Norway.svg Brann
192 DF Maaria Roth (1997-06-13) 13 June 1997 (age 28)40 Flag of Finland.svg HJK

23 MF Vilma Koivisto (2002-11-21) 21 November 2002 (age 22)101 Flag of Sweden.svg Linköping
43 MF Ria Öling (1994-09-15) 15 September 1994 (age 30)9711 Flag of Portugal (official).svg Braga
73 MF Anni Hartikainen (2003-08-19) 19 August 2003 (age 22)141 Flag of Sweden.svg Rosengård
83 MF Olga Ahtinen (1997-08-15) 15 August 1997 (age 28)774 Flag of England.svg Tottenham Hotspur
93 MF Katariina Kosola (2001-02-24) 24 February 2001 (age 24)254 Flag of Sweden.svg Malmö FF
133 MF Oona Siren (2001-02-23) 23 February 2001 (age 24)271 Flag of England.svg West Ham United
203 MF Eveliina Summanen (1998-05-29) 29 May 1998 (age 27)7814 Flag of England.svg Tottenham Hotspur

144 FW Heidi Kollanen (1997-06-06) 6 June 1997 (age 28)403 Flag of Sweden.svg Vittsjö GIK
174 FW Sanni Franssi (1995-03-19) 19 March 1995 (age 30)947 Flag of England.svg London City Lionesses
184 FW Linda Sällström (captain) (1988-07-13) 13 July 1988 (age 37)15564 Flag of Sweden.svg Vittsjö GIK
214 FW Oona Sevenius (2004-04-28) 28 April 2004 (age 21)296 Flag of England.svg Newcastle United
224 FW Jutta Rantala (1999-11-11) 11 November 1999 (age 25)3410 Flag of England.svg Leicester City

Recent call-ups

The following players have also been called up to the squad within the past 12 months.

Pos.PlayerDate of birth (age)CapsGoalsClubLatest call-up
GK Milla-Maj Majasaari (1999-10-15) 15 October 1999 (age 25)20 Flag of England.svg Crystal Palace v. Flag of Serbia.svg  Serbia, 3 June 2025
GK Katriina Talaslahti (2000-09-21) 21 September 2000 (age 24)20 Flag of France.svg Dijon v. Flag of Hungary.svg  Hungary, 8 April 2025

DF Nanne Ruuskanen (2001-11-19) 19 November 2001 (age 23)00 Flag of Sweden.svg Djurgården v. Flag of Serbia.svg  Serbia, 3 June 2025
DF Elli Pikkujämsä (1999-10-24) 24 October 1999 (age 25)351 Flag of the United States.svg Racing Louisville v. Flag of Hungary.svg  Hungary, 8 April 2025
DF Helmi Raijas (2005-05-11) 11 May 2005 (age 20)10 Flag of Sweden.svg Växjö v. Flag of Hungary.svg  Hungary, 8 April 2025
DF Sanni Ojanen (2000-08-21) 21 August 2000 (age 25)00 Flag of Sweden.svg Vittsjö GIK v. Flag of Montenegro.svg  Montenegro, 29 October 2024

MF Adelina Engman INJ (1994-10-11) 11 October 1994 (age 30)9312 Flag of Italy.svg Como 2025 UEFA Women's Euro
MF Emma Peuhkurinen ALT (1999-11-30) 30 November 1999 (age 25)120 Flag of Norway.svg LSK Kvinner 2025 UEFA Women's Euro
MF Tao Stark (2004-08-01) 1 August 2004 (age 21)00 Flag of Finland.svg KuPS v. Flag of Hungary.svg  Hungary, 25 February 2025
MF Emmi Alanen RET (1991-04-30) 30 April 1991 (age 34)10922 Flag of Sweden.svg Kristianstads DFF v. Flag of Scotland.svg  Scotland, 3 December 2024
MF Sofia Määttä (2004-09-20) 20 September 2004 (age 20)10 Flag of Scotland.svg Glasgow City v. Flag of Montenegro.svg  Montenegro, 29 October 2024

FW Lilli Halttunen ALT (2005-07-01) 1 July 2005 (age 20)51 Flag of Sweden.svg Linköping 2025 UEFA Women's Euro
FW Aino Kröger ALT (1998-08-28) 28 August 1998 (age 27)40 Flag of Finland.svg KuPS 2025 UEFA Women's Euro
FW Dana Leskinen (2001-09-22) 22 September 2001 (age 23)20 Flag of Sweden.svg IFK Norrköping v. Flag of Scotland.svg  Scotland, 3 December 2024

Notes
  • INJ = Withdrew due to injury
  • PRE = Preliminary squad / standby
  • RET = Retired from the national team

Records

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

Most capped players

Linda Sallstrom currently holds the records for both the most appearances and the most goals for the Finland women's national football team. Linda Sallstrom (15558039479).jpg
Linda Sällström currently holds the records for both the most appearances and the most goals for the Finland women's national football team.
RankPlayerCapsGoalsYears
1 Linda Sällström 149622007–
2 Anna Westerlund 14742008–2022
3 Laura Österberg Kalmari 130411996–2011
4 Tinja-Riikka Korpela (GK)12802007–
5 Tuija Hyyrynen 12132007–2022
6 Sanna Valkonen 12071995–2009
7 Anne Mäkinen 118161991–2009
Jessica Julin 41997–2009
9 Emmi Alanen 109222010–2025
10 Emma Koivisto 10872012–
11 Anna-Kaisa Rantanen 10581996–2011
12 Sanna Talonen 103362004–2014
13 Katri Mattsson 10021999–2015

Source: [13]

Top goalscorers

RankPlayerGoalsCapsYearsAvg
1 Linda Sällström 621492007–0,416
2 Laura Österberg Kalmari 411301996–20110,315
3 Sanna Talonen 361032004–20140,350
4 Emmi Alanen 221092010–20250,202
5 Annica Sjölund 17692006–20140,246
6 Anne Mäkinen 161181991–20090,136
7 Eveliina Summanen 14732017–0,192
8 Heidi Kackur 12481999–20050,250
Adelina Engman 12932012–0,129
10 Maija Saari 11942007–20160,117
Ria Öling 11912015–0,121
12 Jutta Rantala 10312020–0,323

Source: [13]

Competitive record

FIFA Women's World Cup

FIFA Women's World Cup recordQualification record
YearResultGPWD*LGFGAGDRoundGPWD*LGFGAGD
Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg 1991 Did not qualify UEFA Euro 1991
Flag of Sweden.svg 1995 UEFA Euro 1995
Flag of the United States.svg 1999 Play-offs 831489−1
Flag of the United States.svg 2003 Group 2 6105424−20
Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg 2007 Group 3 8512165+11
Flag of Germany.svg 2011 Group 7 8611256+19
Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg 2015 Group 7 10703279+18
Flag of France (lighter variant).svg 2019 Group 7 8314913−4
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Flag of New Zealand.svg 2023 Group A 83141412−10
Flag of Brazil.svg 2027 To be determinedTo be determined
Flag of Mexico.svg Flag of the United States.svg 2031 To be determinedTo be determined
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg 2035 To be determinedTo be determined
Total--------Round562852310378+13
*Draws include knockout matches decided on penalty kicks.

Olympic Games

Summer Olympics record
YearResultGPWDLGFGA
Flag of the United States.svg 1996 Did not qualify
Flag of Australia (converted).svg 2000
Flag of Greece.svg 2004
Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg 2008
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg 2012
Flag of Brazil.svg 2016
Flag of Japan.svg 2020
Flag of France.svg 2024 Unable to qualify [a]
Flag of the United States.svg 2028 To be determined
Flag of Australia (converted).svg 2032
Total-------

UEFA Women's Championship

Finland at the UEFA Women's Championship

UEFA Women's Championship recordQualifying record
YearResultPWD*LGFGAGD RoundPWD*LGFGAGDP/RRnk
1984 Did not qualify Group 1 6204517−12
Flag of Norway.svg 1987 Group 1 612326−4
Flag of Germany.svg 1989 Group 1 6123911−2
Flag of Denmark.svg 1991 Group 3 612336−3
Flag of Italy.svg 1993 Group 2 4022312−9
Flag of Germany.svg 1995 Group 1 623187+1
Flag of Norway.svg Flag of Sweden.svg 1997 Play-offs 8116224−22
Flag of Germany.svg 2001 Play-offs 8206821−13
Flag of England.svg 2005 Semi-finals411258−3 Play-offs 10442167+9
Flag of Finland.svg 2009 Quarter-finals4202550Qualified as host
Flag of Sweden.svg 2013 Group stage302116−5 Group 5 8611224+18
Flag of the Netherlands.svg 2017 Did not qualify Group 2 84131712+5
Flag of England.svg 2022 Group stage300318−7 Group E 8710242+22
Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg 2025 Group stage3111330 Play-offs 1043312120Red Arrow Down.svg [b] 13th
2029 To be determinedTo be determined
Total5/14174491530−15Total94352237131141−1013th
*Draws include knockout matches decided on penalty kicks.

UEFA Women's Nations League

UEFA Women's Nations League record
SeasonDivisionGroupPosPldWDLGFGAP/RRnk
2023–24 B 2 1st6510182Green Arrow Up Darker.svg18th
2025 B 3 To be determined
Total651018218th
Green Arrow Up Darker.svgPromoted at end of season
Steady3.svgNo movement at end of season
Red Arrow Down.svgRelegated at end of season
*Participated in promotion/relegation play-offs

Pinatar Cup

Pinatar Cup record
YearResultGPWDLGFGAGD
2024 Champions211021+1
Total211021+1

Cyprus Women's Cup

Cyprus Women's Cup record
YearResultGPWDLGFGAGD
2012 7th place411267−1
2013 7th place411256−1
2014 12th place401318−7
2015 9th place411237−4
2016 8th place401338−5
2018 11th place411247−3
2019 9th place411236−3
2020 Runners-up311176+1
2023 Champions3300161+15
Total3498174856−8

Algarve Cup

Algarve Cup record
YearResultGPWDLGFGAGD
1994 6th place300309−9
1995 6th place410336−3
1996 8th place4004115−14
1997 6th place410338−5
1998 8th place400426−4
1999 8th place401317−6
2000 7th place410358−3
2001 7th place4103415−11
2002 7th place410348−5
2003 6th place402206−6
2004 9th place4103610−4
2005 10th place4004310−7
2006 7th place4112512−7
2007 6th place410326−4
2008 8th place4004110−9
2009 7th place410315−4
2010 8th place4013211−9
2011 10th place4004213−11
Total

Nordic Football Championship

Women's Nordic Football Championship record
YearResultGPWDLGFGAGD
Flag of Finland.svg 1974 Third place200206−6
Flag of Denmark.svg 1975 Third place2002013−13
Flag of Sweden.svg 1976 Third place200215−4
Flag of Finland.svg 1977 Third place200205−5
Flag of Denmark.svg 1978 Third place311114−3
Flag of Norway.svg 1979 Third place311125−3
Flag of Sweden.svg 1980 Fourth place302118−7
Flag of Finland.svg 1981 Runners-up311134−1
Flag of Denmark.svg 1982 Fourth place301216−5
Total9/9233614956−47

See also

Notes

  1. Finland was unable to qualify since Finland was in the “League B” at the 2023–24 UEFA Women's Nations League.
  2. 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

  1. 1 2 3 "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. "Linda Sällström". palloliitto.fi (in Finnish). Football Association of Finland . Retrieved 15 June 2025.
  3. "The FIFA/Coca-Cola Women's World Ranking". FIFA. 7 August 2025. Retrieved 7 August 2025.
  4. UEFA.com. "Season 2005 Matches | UEFA Women's EURO". UEFA . Retrieved 29 March 2024.
  5. "Women's Euro 2009 in Finland". Embassy of Finland. 2009. Archived from the original on 29 December 2016. Retrieved 28 December 2016.
  6. "Finland". FIFA. Archived from the original on 19 February 2015. Retrieved 28 December 2016.
  7. "Naisten jalkapallomaajoukkueen taival on puolivuosisatainen – jo alussa mentiin sisulla ja yhteispelillä". Hämeen Sanomat. 25 October 2023. Retrieved 8 September 2024.
  8. "Yle ei näytä Suomen maaotteluita Valko-Venäjää vastaan – Ottelut pyritään näyttämään Palloliiton Youtube-kanavalla" (in Finnish). Football Association of Finland. 27 February 2025. Retrieved 5 March 2025.
  9. "Helmarit - Joukkue" (in Finnish). Finnish Football Federation. Retrieved 29 October 2024.
  10. Helmareiden taustaryhmään muutoksia, Football Association of Finland, 30 January 2025
  11. "Helmarit nimetty EM-lopputurnaukseen" [Helmarit named for the European Championship finals] (in Finnish). Suomen Palloliitto/Finnish Football Association. 19 June 2025.
  12. Finnish Team
  13. 1 2 "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.
  1. 1 2 Due to the Belarusian involvement in the Russian invasion of Ukraine Finland will not host Belarus. The match is played at neutral venue behind closed doors. [8]