Jeglertz backs Finland to outgun Denmark

Finland coach Andrée Jeglertz struck an assertive note when he told the media – with unwavering conviction – that his team must harness the self-belief and firepower to dispatch Denmark in their Group A showdown on Tuesday.

While both Scandinavian counterparts must win in Gothenburg to have any chance of overhauling section pacesetters Sweden and Italy, Jeglertz promised the game would not be their last having engineered a cunning plan to outwit the Danes, who he nonetheless billed as favourites. Meanwhile, Kenneth Heiner-Møller implored Denmark, who are "not ready to go home", to maintain their level for 90 minutes after fading in the second half of Saturday's 2-1 defeat by Italy. 

Permutations
• Denmark and Finland both need to win and hope Sweden or Italy follow suit to stand any chance of progressing in first or second place.

• Even if the Sweden-Italy contest does provide a winner, Denmark or Finland will need a notable swing in goal difference to overtake the group leaders.

• If Denmark draw with Finland, their tournament hopes would remain alive, so long as the Group C game between Iceland and the Netherlands on Wednesday also ends in a stalemate.

• If either team prevails, they would at least ensure a place in the third-place draw.

Kenneth Heiner-Møller, Denmark coach
We are ready for tomorrow, there is no doubt about that. We performed well for about 40 minutes of the Italy game and came away with nothing. Against Sweden, we were on top of our game for longer and we drew, so hopefully we can be at our best for 90 minutes and that's enough to win the game. 

I have great respect for Finland. This tournament has shown that the favourite doesn't always win. This is our fourth meeting with them in recent times and we know they are always up for the fight. They are extremely well coached. Andrée is fantastic tactically and a modern leader. We also know our game well, but now we are facing a completely different team, with different qualities.

We want do dominate the game, take control and take the game to the opposition. The players are ready, you could see the determination in their faces the day after the Italy defeat. They are not ready to go home. We have been in a similar situation in previous tournaments, bounced back and then gone out. Let's hope it's different this time.

Matchday one result
Sweden 1-1 Denmark

Matchday two result
Italy 2-1 Denmark (Gabbiadini 55, Mauro 60; Brogaard 66)
S. Petersen, Røddik, Ørntoft, Knudsen, Nielsen (Madsen), Brogaard, S. Jensen (Rasmussen), Søndergaard Pedersen(C), Veje (Rydahl), Harder, S.Pedersen (Nadim).

• Player of the match: Melania Gabbiadini

• Denmark have registered at least once in all of their previous ten compeitive games.

• On a booking: Therea Nielsen, Christina Ørntoft.

Team news
After admitting tiredness played a part in Denmark's second-half display against Italy, Heiner-Møller announced that all 23 players are fit and raring to go. 

Andrée Jeglertz, Finland coach
We need to be strong at the back, and of course, we need to score, something we have been saving for the last game. We need to continue working as a unit. The team is extremely strong-minded and will come back fighting after the Sweden defeat. I have a good feeling about the game. I'm certain it's not our last.

Denmark are a very good team, I was impressed with them against Sweden. They possess a number of very skillful players and it will be a tough game, but we are prepared for the challenge. We know all about their strengths and weaknesses, which is something we can use to our advantage.

The spirit among the players is something I have never encountered before with any of the teams I have managed. They are a strong bunch who have a lot of fun. They always react positively to losing, picking themselves up immediately. The players are in it together and respond as a unit. Denmark are favourites to win and I think that will work to our advantage. Finland are at their best when they most need to be. The Finns always come together when it's win or bust.

This group are winners – they compete in everything they do. We have a game plan, which I think will work well against Denmark. We will score more than them but it's difficult to say how many goals there will be in the match. We can prepare for the type of game we think it may be, but such plans go out the window if something major happens in the first few minutes.

Matchday one result
Italy 0-0 Finland

Matchday two result
Finland 0-5 Sweden (Fischer 15 36, Asllani 38, Schelin 60 87)
Korpela (C), Hyyrynen, Kivistö, Lehtinen, Kukkonen, Alanen, Heroum, Westerlund, Tolvanen (Saario), Talonen (Vanhanen), Lyytikäinen (Kuikka).

• Player of the match: Nilla Fischer

• Finland have failed to score in their last three competitive outings.

• On a booking: Emmi Alanen, Jaana Lyytikäinen, Ana Westerlund.

Team news
Marianna Tolvanen is expected to be fit after limping off 33 minutes into Saturday's game with Sweden. Otherwise, Finland have a clean bill of health. 

Match fact
It took 23 games for Finland to beat Denmark, a 2-1 victory in UEFA Women's EURO 2001 qualifying on 1 June 2000 in Mikkeli.

Did you know?
Finland's Swedish coach Andrée Jeglertz had Johanna Rasmussen in his squad while in charge of Umeå IK, reaching the 2008 UEFA Women's Cup final.