Son shines in Helsinki

By Mikael Erävuori

Jari Litmanen has been the heart of the Finnish national team for over a decade. But with the AFC Ajax forward nearing the end of his career, the big question in Finland has become 'who will replace Litmanen?'.

New saviour
The answer could well be HJK Helsinki striker Alexei Eremenko Jr, whose recent international debut prompted talk of a new saviour for Finnish football. However, the 20-year-old is playing down comparisons with Litmanen. "It's nice but I'm not on his level yet," the Russian-born attacker told uefa.com.

Footballing father
Eremenko Jr's rise to sporting prominence began in 1991 when his father, former FC Dinamo Moskva and FC Spartak Moskva player Alexei Eremenko Sr, moved to Finland to sign for FF Jaro, bringing sons Alexei Jr and Roman with him to Pietarsaari on the country's west coast.

'Too busy'
Alexei Sr played for Jaro until 1998 when he joined HJK and took his family to the Finnish capital. But he left his son behind in Helsinki upon returning to Jaro on loan at the start of 2003 after four seasons with HJK. "I didn't like Helsinki that much - too busy for me," he said.

French lessons
While his father played for HJK, Alexei Jr - or 'Losa' as he was nicknamed - spent two years in France with FC Metz's youth team before making his Finnish league debut with FC Jokerit in 2001 and then rejoining his father at HJK the following campaign.

'The right decision'
"It was a great experience at Metz," said Alexei Jr. "I learnt a lot and grew much more independent. I could have stayed longer, but it seemed very difficult to get a place in the first team. So I decided to return to Finland and that has turned out to be the right decision."

Finnish citizens
The Eremenko family was granted Finnish citizenship in the spring, although Alexei Sr is ineligible to play for his adopted country having represented the Soviet Union at youth level. However, his son was immediately called into the Finnish Under-21 squad, and then won his first full cap in a 3-2 friendly win against Canada on 11 October.

Move abroad
With his HJK contract expiring next year, Eremenko Jr is tipped to leave Finland sooner rather than later. But he says he is in no hurry to go. "I have said before that I wouldn't be disappointed if I am at HJK next season," he said.

Trophy daydream
"Certainly I'm listening to offers from abroad, but one big advantage at HJK is that the club plays in Europe every year," he added. "We are looking for a domestic double this season and that would mean there is nothing left for me to win in Finland - unless we aim for the [UEFA] Champions League or UEFA Cup titles with HJK!"

Family presence
Whatever he decides, it looks certain that the Finnish league will boast at least one Eremenko next season. "My father is very close to a contract with Jaro," said Alexei Jr. "I also expect my younger brother Roman to join the Jaro squad. He is almost 17. In a couple of years it may be time for him to move abroad too."

Successful clan
Barely a week after the end of the Finnish season, the two brothers have been invited for a trial at English club Birmingham City FC in the next few weeks. The time for the footballing Eremenkos to head overseas may already have come.