Finland hope for Caribbean cruise
Thursday, January 9, 2003
Article summary
Finland have announced a three-match tour of the Caribbean for the end of January.
Article body
Finland are hoping that a three-match tour of the Caribbean will revitalise their bid to reach the 2004 UEFA European Championship.
Friendly matches
Antti Muurinen's squad will face Barbados on 26 January before playing Trinidad and Tobago three days later. Next up is a select side picked from the domestic league in Trinidad on 2 February as Finland prepare for their qualifying match against Italy on 29 March.
'International experience'
Muurinen said: "The tour is meant to give international experience to those players who have no league games at the moment and to those young players who need to get used to the national team. The team will consist of players who have a chance of making it to the games this year and of those players who have a chance of making it as a regulars in the team in the future."
Positive result
The squad will leave Helsinki on 23 January before arriving back on 3 February. Finland are second bottom of UEFA EURO 2004™ qualifying Group 9 and need a positive result in Italy to give themselves a chance of progressing to the finals in Portugal.
