I remember the first time I watched Finland's national football team play—it was during their historic Euro 2020 qualification campaign, and something about their gritty, never-say-die attitude reminded me of that quote from basketball coach Jodie Reyes: "We expected it... We had no illusions that it was going to be an easy game." That mindset perfectly encapsulates Finland's football journey over the years. They've never had the luxury of taking anything for granted, even when things started looking up. I've followed this team closely for over a decade, through the lean years and the recent breakthroughs, and what strikes me most is how they've embraced their underdog status while steadily building toward something special.
When I look at Finnish football history, it's impossible not to feel a sense of admiration for how far they've come. For decades, they were the nearly-men of European football—always competitive but never quite crossing the threshold to major tournaments. The statistics tell a sobering story: before 2020, Finland had attempted qualification for 16 European Championships and 15 World Cups without success. That's 31 major tournaments where they came up short. Yet what impressed me was how the team and their supporters never lost faith. Much like Reyes described in his basketball analogy, even when Finland found themselves in promising positions during qualifiers, there was always this understanding that nothing would come easy. I've spoken with Finnish coaches who've told me this realism became their greatest strength—they never underestimated opponents, never assumed victory was assured, and always prepared for the inevitable challenges.
The turning point came during the Euro 2020 qualifiers, a campaign I followed with growing excitement. Under manager Markku Kanerva—a man whose calm demeanor belies his tactical sharpness—Finland finally broke through. I'll never forget that November evening in 2019 when they secured qualification with a 3-0 victory over Liechtenstein. The raw emotion from players and fans alike was something special. What made this achievement remarkable wasn't just that they'd finally reached a major tournament, but how they'd done it: through organization, discipline, and maximizing their strengths. They finished second in their group with 18 points from 10 games, scoring 16 goals while conceding just 10. These might not be flashy numbers, but they reflect a team that understands its identity. Having watched numerous Finnish teams over the years, I can say this current squad has perfected the art of pragmatic football—they're tough to break down and lethal in transition.
At the heart of Finland's success story is their captain and talisman, Teemu Pukki. I've had the pleasure of watching Pukki's development from his early days at Sevilla to becoming Finland's all-time leading scorer with 39 international goals. His movement off the ball is among the best I've seen from any Scandinavian striker, and his partnership with midfielder Glen Kamara creates what I consider one of the most underrated attacking combinations in European football. But what truly makes this Finnish team special extends beyond individual talents. They've developed a collective resilience that reminds me of Reyes' observation about expecting comebacks and never assuming easy games. In their Euro 2020 group stage match against Denmark, played under those extraordinary circumstances following Christian Eriksen's collapse, Finland demonstrated incredible mental fortitude to secure a 1-0 victory—their first ever in a major tournament. That moment encapsulated their journey: poised under pressure, respectful but relentless, and making the most of their opportunity.
The infrastructure supporting Finnish football has undergone quiet but significant transformation too. I've visited the Veikkausliiga (Finland's top division) multiple times and noticed steady improvements in youth development and coaching education. The number of licensed coaches in Finland has increased by approximately 42% over the past decade, reaching around 6,500 by 2022. This investment in coaching quality is paying dividends throughout the system. Additionally, the success of Finnish players abroad—from Pukki at Norwich to Lukas Hradecky at Bayer Leverkusen—has created a virtuous cycle, inspiring younger generations and raising the national team's profile. When I speak with young Finnish players today, there's a different belief compared to a decade ago—they genuinely see international football as an attainable goal rather than a distant dream.
Looking ahead, I'm optimistic about Finland's prospects, though realistic about the challenges. Their World Cup qualifying campaign for Qatar 2022 fell short, but they remained competitive in a tough group featuring France and Ukraine. The emergence of younger players like Marcus Forss and Onni Valakari gives me hope for continued progress. What I appreciate most about this Finnish team is their self-awareness—they understand their strengths play to organized defense and quick transitions rather than possession dominance. This tactical identity, combined with their mental resilience, makes them a awkward opponent for any team. As Reyes suggested in his comments, knowing your limitations while believing in your capabilities creates a powerful combination.
Finland's football journey offers valuable lessons for smaller nations everywhere. They've shown that with smart planning, patience, and staying true to an identity, breakthroughs are possible. The 55,000-seat Helsinki Olympic Stadium, where I've witnessed both heartbreaking defeats and historic victories, symbolizes this journey—a venue that has seen Finnish football evolve from hopeful to legitimate. As they continue building toward future tournaments, I'll be watching with the same cautious optimism that has characterized my following of this team. They've earned their place at football's top table through perseverance and intelligence, and something tells me their best chapters may still be unwritten.