Wounded Finland focus on the detail

The Finland camp conceded that, in the end, the little things had made a big difference after they were eliminated following two Group B defeats. However, the fact AEK Athens FC winger Perparim Hetemaj believes they have more than held their own could spell bad news for Spain.

Harsh lesson
"It is not easy to lose again, because in both games we played some very good football," the 22-year-old said after Thursday's 2-0 loss to Germany. "For 60 minutes we were the better team, then they scored two quick goals and that was it. Now we know we're not going through to the next round, which is very disappointing." Right-back Joni Aho picked up the theme, adding: "In the first half we controlled the game, but in the second we did two mistakes and that was it. We're really, really disappointed. It was all about the small things. When we have a chance to score, we don't score. Then, when we give them one, two chances, they score every time. It is small things that matter."

Team spirit
FC International Turku right-back Joni and Hetemaj have perhaps been Finland's standout performers at these, their maiden finals, but the side's strength has been the sum of their parts. "We qualified for the tournament as a team – nobody expected us to qualify but here we are," explained Kosovo-born Hetemaj. "We don't have as many high-quality individuals, but we play very well as a team and we try to win as a team. We win as a team and we lose as a team. We are a strong side but many of our players play in smaller leagues than our opponents, which makes things difficult. When you play in the Premier League or the Bundesliga, you are with the best players in the world every day, and you must already have a lot of quality to play there. That said, I think many have been surprised by how good our football has been."

Third time lucky?
Hetemaj is one of eight Finland squad members plying their trade outside the Veikkausliiga, though he thinks that number may quickly rise after such an effective "window through which many can see us" here in Sweden. But it is not over yet. Having caught the eye against England and Germany before being edged out, the Finns are hoping for the win few could begrudge them when they take on another European heavyweight, Spain, on Monday. Such a result would end their opponents' UEFA European Under-21 Championship campaign. "We'll try to get the three points against Spain ... Spain!" said Hetemaj. "We will be up against the likes of Bojan [Krkić], a fantastic player with FC Barcelona. Everybody wants to play. Of course, we'll give everything and we'll try to play like we have so far – only I hope we win this time."