Finnish greats issue EURO rallying cry

Former Finland stars Antti Niemi and Satu Kunnas are calling on home fans to get behind their side as the Nordic nation gears up for the start of UEFA WOMEN'S EURO 2009™ on 23 August.

Home advantage
It will be the biggest football tournament staged in Finland and the two international goalkeepers, who have been appointed ambassadors for the event, believe that with a fervent backing of the home crowd the hosts have every chance of success. "Playing on home soil is a huge advantage," said Niemi who was capped 67 times for the men's side between 1992 and 2007. "A capacity crowd at the Olympic Stadium [in Helsinki] is something really special. If we can just get the home fans behind the team, it will be a tremendous boost."

'Fantastic experience'
Kunnas has first-hand experience of this competition. Capped 46 times for Finland's women's team, she was goalkeeper in the side that reached the semi-finals four years ago in England. "The opening game against England in 2005 in front of more than 29,000 spectators was a fantastic experience," she said. "You had to be there. I cannot really describe the feeling." Niemi was playing for Southampton FC at the time and recalls being impressed by the buzz in England surrounding the tournament. "I have to admit I was a little surprised about how much publicity the Women's EURO got in England back then," he said. "The television coverage was comprehensive and you couldn't help noticing the tournament."

'Special boost'
Both believe a similar response this time could have a galvanising effect on Finnish football and the women's game in particular. "As a footballing nation we are still quite young and the women's team doing so well four years ago certainly gave confidence to all Finnish national sides," Niemi said. "A football tournament of this magnitude has never been arranged here before. It will hopefully be a great event and give the whole of Finnish football a special boost." Kunnas, who retired at the end of the UEFA WOMEN'S EURO 2005™ added: "It's a great thing to have the finals in Finland. There will not be a larger footballing event in Finland – at least not in the near future. It is not just about great games, it is about the whole event which I believe can offer the public and the fans something special."

'Everything is possible'
Success for the home team, drawn against Denmark, the Netherlands and Ukraine in Group A, would of course be the icing on the cake. "We have a good mixture of younger talented players and a few experienced ones," Kunnas said. "It is a different team from that of four years ago, but I trust Finland have every chance again this time." Having seen Finland reach the last four four years ago, Niemi is hoping for a repeat performance. "It will be a tough task with teams like Sweden, Germany, Norway and a couple of others who are extremely strong, but I do hope Finland will make it to semi-finals again," he said. "From there on everything is possible."

To watch this interview in the latest edition of the uefa.com Magazine, click here.