Young side delights Helsinki

Finland boosted their hopes of a UEFA Women's Championship play-off berth with a comfortable 4-0 win against Group 1's bottom side Serbia and Montenegro.

Close race
The result lifts them above Italy into second place, though their main rivals can overtake them by winning their game in hand against Switzerland next Saturday in a group that Sweden clinched earlier this week.

Early goal
That had come after a 5-1 win against Serbia and Montenegro, but the visitors had led 1-0 at the break. There was never any danger of that in Helsinki though after Malmö FF striker Heidi Kackur converted Laura Kalmari's seventh-minute through-ball.

Lead increases
Umeå IK forward Kalmari scored herself after a pass from Anna-Kaisa Rantanen on 31 minutes. Finnish goalkeeper Satu Kunnas had not long before denied Lidija Stojkanovic, the visitors' best effort of the game, and they were further behind at the break when Jessica Julin ran through on goal and made no mistake.

Victory sealed
Finland's young team, containing four players born in 1983 or 1984, sealed the game after the break when Anna-Kaisa Rantanen's shot was deflected in following a short corner move.

Käld happy
Finnish coach Michael Käld, whose side's next qualifier is against Switzerland on 4 September, said: "Before this match we had scored only five times in five matches. Beside the goals and points, I am satisfied as we maintained our form throughout the game. We have had slumps, which have cost us a few points. But what makes me very happy is that all our youngsters performed extremely well."

Relegation worry
Serbia and Montenegro, still without a point, must now win both their remaining games against Italy and Switzerland at home in the final week of September to avoid having to play-off to stay in the top four groups.