Mäkinen finds new motivation

Finland captain Anne Mäkinen says her team cannot afford to dwell on their opening victory against Denmark when they take on the Netherlands with the possibility of winning UEFA WOMEN'S EURO 2009™ Group A.

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The hosts beat Denmark 1-0 on Sunday after moving up a gear in the second half and will be buoyed for their return to Helsinki's Olympic Stadium in front of their home fans. But the 33-year-old Mäkinen, with international experience stretching back to 1991, made it clear this was no time for the hosts to rest on their laurels as they seek a victory which would take them through if Ukraine do not beat Denmark.

New focus
"The key I think is to leave the last game behind, to concentrate on the next one and to recharge all the batteries," the 33-year-old said. "I think we've done that and most of the players are 100 per cent already. It's important that we bring back the game that we were playing in the second half against Denmark and continue from there."

Melis threat
Part of Mäkinen's job will be to try and muzzle the Netherlands' prolific striker Manon Melis, a familiar task for her as the two women both play their club football in Sweden – the Finn for AIK Fotboll and Melis for LdB FC Malmö. "I've met her a few times in Sweden," Mäkinen said. "She's a very fast goalscorer, dangerous – the worst kind of enemy to play against as a central midfielder. So it'll be a tough game to face her – and the rest of the team, of course."

Retirement postponed
Mäkinen will be there on Wednesday to face that challenge after deciding last November to emerge from international retirement, having initially called a halt to her Finland career in 2006. She has no regrets. "I'm here because I love football, not here because of money – there's no money in female soccer just yet. I'm here because of my inner motivation, the desire to keep getting better and better. And to give everything for the Finnish team."

Coaching potential
Looking further ahead, Mäkinen is considering a move into coaching when her playing days really do come to an end. Asked if she could picture herself as a coach, she said: "Maybe. I would like to be part of the game still when I finish playing, a coaching role would be suitable. Maybe not with the [senior] women's team, but something younger." Current Finland women's coach Michael Käld needed only one word to answer the subsequent question, as to whether Mäkinen had the leadership qualities to make it in the dugout: "Absolutely."