Finland team guide
Sunday, March 31, 2013
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Finland stormed into their first finals since reaching the last four in 2004/05 after winning all six of their qualifiers, scoring 27 goals and conceding two in the process.
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Finland's return of six wins from six qualifying matches, with 27 goals scored and two conceded, would have been impressive for anyone – never mind for a team that had not reached the UEFA European Women's Under-19 Championship finals since 2004/05.
In the first and second qualification rounds respectively, they claimed 2-1 victories over Spain and Portugal, runners-up and semi-finalists last year, and along with Denmark they sealed their place in Wales with a game to spare. Not that Marianne Miettinen's charges eased off: they overwhelmed Northern Ireland 5-0 in their concluding outing.
The side risk becoming victims of their own success, however. Natalia Kuikka and Nora Heroum are regulars for the senior national team and, with UEFA Women's EURO 2013 taking place in July, they may not journey to Wales. There may be others, too.
"At this stage I have to admit that I do not actually know which kind of team I will have for the finals," Miettinen said. "Players being considered for the women's finals certainly speaks of the quality we have in this age group. We played fantastically in qualifying and I am really proud of all the players. We showed great character in recovering from a goal down against Portugal – this team really never gives up."
Route to finals
First qualifying round: 6-0 Bulgaria, 11-0 Estonia, 2-1 Spain (Group 7 winners)
Second qualifying round: 2-1 Portugal, 1-0 Iceland, 5-0 Northern Ireland (Group 5 winners)
Top scorer: Adelina Engman (7)
Key players
Emma Koivisto (defender, FC Honka), Emilia Iskanius (defender/midfielder, Pallokissat), Adelina Engman (forward, Åland United), Tiia Peltonen (defender, VJS Vantaa), Juliette Kemppi (forward, Åland United).
Coach: Marianne Miettinen
Date of birth: 13/06/1975
Playing career: HJK Helsinki, Finland
Coaching career: Puistolan Urheilijat, Stattena IF, Åland United, Finland women's U19, U18, Finland (assistant)
Capped once by Finland during her playing days, Miettinen has developed into a mainstay of their coaching department since taking the reins of the women's U19 and U18 teams in 2010. She combines these responsibilities with a role as assistant to Andrée Jeglertz within the senior women's setup and working alongside Marko Saloranta with the U17 and U16 sides.
Before joining the Football Association of Finland (SPF-FBF) on a permanent basis three years ago, Miettinen had spells at the helm of Puistolan and Åland, either side of a stint at Stattena where she was the first Finnish coach in Sweden's female top flight, the Damallsvenskan.
UEFA European Women's Under-19 Championship record
2011/12: did not qualify
2010/11: did not qualify
2009/10: did not qualify
2008/09: did not qualify
2007/08: did not qualify
2006/07: did not qualify
2005/06: did not qualify
2004/05: semi-finals
2003/04: group stage
2002/03: did not qualify
2001/02: did not qualify
Honours in other UEFA women's competitions
UEFA European Women's Under-18 Championship
Winners: 1998