Towering Sadik ready to rise again

No stranger to the Bundesliga, Finland striker Berat Sadik may laud the strength of rivals Germany but an impressive, if flawed, performance against England on their last visit to Örjans vall has brought a confidence which suggests the finals debutants cannot be discounted.

Inside track
The towering Sadik has something of an inside track on Finland's next Group B opponents following a season at DSC Arminia Bielefeld, the German side beating off stiff competition to capture the Macedonian-born youngster from FC Lahti. A return of no goals in 13 substitute appearances does not make the best reading, but his muscular showing in Monday's 2-1 loss to England intimated that an investment of €400,000 may yet prove shrewd business. "I play in one of the top leagues in Europe and have grown as a player since arriving there last summer, gaining experience of playing before big crowds in big stadiums," said the 22-year-old, swiftly turning attention back to the UEFA European Under-21 Championship. "I know the German players quite well after a season in the Bundesliga; they play at a high level and have real class throughout."

Ankle problem
Sadik picked up an ankle knock towards the end of the England defeat but, sporting a pair of luminous pink boots not indicative of a man hampered from diffidence, he came through eve-of-match training apparently unscathed. That will be some relief for Markku Kanerva and the forward – one of eleven Finnish players here in Sweden who already have senior international experience – sounded eerily like his coach as he summed up the challenge awaiting Finland on Thursday: "We can take a lot of heart from the England match and if we can cut out the mistakes that proved so costly, then we have a really good chance."

'Home game'
Those mistakes were largely attributed to a defensive line feeling their way on to an unknown stage, but Tuomo Turunen believes it was merely an aberration for a side that conceded only nine goals in ten qualifying games. "I don't think we played well defensively as a team," said the centre-back. "We were guilty of making a few mistakes that ultimately let England in. We've played together for a few years, though, and know each other's games very well so we will be OK against Germany. And with Mesut Özil's speed and skill we have to be very careful." Should the Werder Bremen playmaker or one of his team-mates be lurking then Turunen is likely to get some warning from what is expected to be another big Finnish crowd. "Like a home game," said the 21-year-old. It is time, Finland feel, to capitalise on this home advantage.