Finland stick with tried and tested

There were no surprises as Finland coach Michael Käld named the hosts' 22-strong squad for UEFA WOMEN'S EURO 2009™ on Thursday, but that did not make the decision any easier according to the 55-year-old.

Tough choice
"We have had something like 40 players in the squad during the last two-and-a-half years, but the time has come for the final squad list," said Käld, who opted for Petra Häkkinen as third goalkeeper. "As always when choices are made there are players who are happy and players who are disappointed. Of course some of the choices were easy and some tougher. It is important to find the players who fit the squad best. Some may not play a single minute in the finals, but they still need to be perfect team players."

Long-term vision
Käld added that he also had a long-term vision for the development of the side. "I'm not only thinking about these finals," he said. "Women will play football in Finland after the finals as well and this will also be a great opportunity for some younger players to gain experience." Finland kick off their Group A campaign against Denmark on 23 August before meeting the Netherlands and Ukraine.

Finland squad
Goalkeepers: Minna Meriluoto (Hammarby IF DFF), Tinja-Riikka Korpela (FC Honka Espoo), Petra Häkkinen (HJK Helsinki).

Defenders: Petra Vaelma (Klepp IL), Sanna Valkonen (KIF Örebro DFF), Miia Niemi (Amazon Grimstad FK), Tuija Hyyrynen (HJK Helsinki), Maija Saari (Umeå IK), Tiina Salmén (Amazon Grimstad FK), Heini Tiilikainen (KMF Kuopio).

Midfielders: Anne Mäkinen (AIK Fotboll), Jessica Julin (Stattena IF), Anna-Kaisa Rantanen (Djurgårdens IF FF), Susanna Lehtinen (KIF Örebro DFF), Sanna Malaska (Amazon Grimstad FK), Anna Westerlund (FC Honka Espoo), Essi Sainio (AIK Fotboll), Katri Nokso-Koivisto (VfL Wolfsburg).

Forwards: Laura Österberg Kalmari (AIK Fotboll), Sanna Talonen (KIF Örebro DFF), Linda Sällström (Djurgårdens IF FF), Annica Sjölund (AIK Fotboll).