Finland women's national football team

This article is about the women's team. For the men's team, see Finland national football team.

Finland
Nickname(s)Helmarit (the Boreal Owls)[1]
AssociationFootball Association
of Finland
(Suomen Palloliitto)
ConfederationUEFA (Europe)
Head coachMarko Saloranta
CaptainTinja-Riikka Korpela
Most capsLinda Sällström (151)[2]
Top scorerLinda Sällström (64)
FIFA codeFIN
First colours
Second colours
FIFA ranking
Current 26 1 (12 June 2025)[3]
Highest14 (September 2005)
Lowest32 (March 2019)
First international
  0–0 Sweden 
(Mariehamn, Finland; 25 August 1973)
Biggest win
 Bulgaria 0–8  
(Lovech, Bulgaria; 21 August 2014)
  8–0 Hungary 
(Larnaca, Cyprus; 19 February 2023)
Biggest defeat
 Denmark 9–0  
(Vejen, Denmark; 26 July 1975)
European Championship
Appearances5 (first in 2005)
Best resultSemi-finals (2005)

The Finland women's national football team (Finnish: Suomen naisten jalkapallomaajoukkue, Swedish: Finlands damlandslag i fotboll), also known as nickname The Boreal Owls (Finnish: Helmarit),[1] represents Finland in international women's football. The team, controlled by the Football Association of Finland (SPL/FBF), reached the semi-finals of the 2005 European Championship, surprising the female football world having drawn with Sweden and beaten Denmark before losing to Germany in the semifinals.[4] Finland hosted the 2009 European Championship.[5]

The Finnish team has had a few players that are considered to be among the best in women's football, such as Laura Österberg Kalmari, Sanna Valkonen and Anne Mäkinen.

As of December 2023, the team is ranked 27th in the FIFA world ranking.[6]

History

The beginning

The Finland women's national football team played its first international match in 1973 against Sweden.[7] The game was played in Mariehamn, Åland.

Team image

Nicknames

The Finland women's national football team has been known or nicknamed as the "Helmarit (the Boreal Owls)".[1]

Results and fixtures

The following is a list of match results in the last 12 months, as well as any future matches that have been scheduled.

  Win   Draw   Loss   Fixture

2024

12 July Euro 2025 qualifying   1–1  Norway Turku
  • Koivisto 90+8'
 Report
Stadium: Veritas Stadion
Attendance: 7,349
16 July Euro 2025 qualifying Italy  4–0   Bolzano
19:00 Report Stadium: Stadio Druso
25 October Euro 2025 qualifying play-offs Montenegro  0–1   Podgorica
17:30 Report Stadium: Podgorica City Stadium
29 October Euro 2025 qualifying play-offs   5–0
(6–0 agg.)		  Montenegro Tampere
18:30 CEST (UTC+02:00)
Report Stadium: Tammelan Stadion
Attendance: 4,849
Referee: Eleni Antoniou (Greece)
3 December Euro 2025 qualifying play-offs   2–0
(2–0 agg.)		  Scotland Helsinki
(UTC+03:00)
Report Stadium: Bolt Arena
Attendance: 7,259

2025

21 February 2025 Nations League Serbia  1–0   Stara Pazova
18:00 Damnjanović 43' (pen.) Report Stadium: Serbian FA Sports Center
Attendance: 280
Referee: Michaela Pachtova (Czech Republic)
25 February 2025 Nations League Hungary  0–1   Budapest
Report
Stadium: Hidegkuti Nándor Stadion
Referee: Hristiyana Guteva (Bulgaria)
4 April 2025 Nations League   0–0  Belarus Novara
Report Stadium: Stadio Silvio Piola [note 1]
Attendance: 0[note 1]
Referee: Emanuela Rusta (Albania)
8 April 2025 Nations League   3–0  Hungary Tampere
 Report Stadium: Tammelan Stadion
Attendance: 4,135
Referee: Angelika Söder (Germany)
30 May 2025 Nations League Belarus  0–3   Szeged
 Stadium: Szent Gellért Fórum
Attendance: 0
Referee: Merima Čelik Bosnia and Herzegovina
3 June 2025 Nations League   1–1  Serbia Helsinki
20:00 Lehtola 71' Roth 84' (o.g.) Stadium: Helsinki Olympic Stadium
Attendance: 8,970
Referee: Sandra Bastos (Portugal)
26 June Friendly Netherlands  2–1   Leeuwarden
20:00
Stadium: Kooi Stadion
2 July Euro 2025 Group stage Iceland  0–1   Thun
18:00
Stadium: Stockhorn Arena
Attendance: 7,683
Referee: Katalin Kulcsar
6 July Euro 2025 Group stage Norway  v   Sion
18:00 Stadium: Stade de Tourbillon
10 July Euro 2025 Group stage   v  Switzerland Geneva
21:00 Stadium: Stade de Genève
24 October 2025 UEFA Women's Nations League play-offs   v  Denmark
28 October 2025 UEFA Women's Nations League play-offs Denmark  v  

Coaching staff

Current coaching staff

As of October 2024[9][10]

  • Head coach: Marko Saloranta
  • Assistant coach: Jari Väisänen
  • Assistant coach: Liisa-Maija Rautio
  • Goalkeeping coach: Tommy Nordenswan
  • Fitness coach: Eero Savolainen
  • Psychological coach: Vacant
  • Doctor: Pippa Laukka
  • Physiotherapist: Markus Rosenblad
  • Physiotherapist: Sannakaisa Vastamäki
  • Kit manager: Piia Karonen
  • Kit manager: Alban Saliko
  • Video Analyst: Jouko Kylmäoja
  • Team manager: Outi Saarinen
  • Team manager: Sanna Pirhonen
  • Press officer: Eveliina Parikka
  • Press officer: Jyri Sulander
  • Media officer: Taru Nyholm

Manager history

As of 2 July 2025
Tenure Coach Record
G W D L Win %
1973–77 Juhani Nirkkonen 12 1 1 10 008.33
1978 Simo Syrjävaara 3 1 1 1 033.33
1979–89 Kaj Österberg 44 13 12 19 029.55
1989–92 Jyrki Nieminen 24 3 4 17 012.50
1993–96 Nils Suomalainen 24 4 5 15 016.67
1996–00 Reima Kokko 46 11 3 32 023.91
2001–09 Michael Käld 107 35 22 50 032.71
2010–16 Andrée Jeglertz 76 27 13 36 035.53
2017 Marko Saloranta 6 2 0 4 033.33
2017–2022 Anna Signeul 47 19 11 17 040.43
2022– Marko Saloranta 37 21 8 8 056.76

Players

Current squad

The following players were called up for the UEFA Women's Euro 2025 [11]

Caps and goals correct as of 2 July 2025, after the match against Iceland. [12]
No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
1 1GK Anna Koivunen (1999-11-28) 28 November 1999 6 0 Djurgården
12 1GK Anna Tamminen (1994-10-30) 30 October 1994 16 0 Hammarby
23 1GK Tinja-Riikka Korpela (1986-05-05) 5 May 1986 128 0 Servette
3 2DF Eva Nyström (1999-11-29) 29 November 1999 30 2 West Ham United
5 2DF Emma Koivisto (1994-09-25) 25 September 1994 110 7 AC Milan
6 2DF Joanna Tynnilä (2001-09-01) 1 September 2001 22 0 Brann
10 2DF Emmi Siren (2001-02-23) 23 February 2001 8 0 Nordsjælland
11 2DF Nora Heroum (1994-07-20) 20 July 1994 93 2 Sampdoria
15 2DF Natalia Kuikka (1995-12-01) 1 December 1995 100 4 Chicago Red Stars
16 2DF Nea Lehtola (1998-10-24) 24 October 1998 15 3 Brann
19 2DF Maaria Roth (1997-06-13) 13 June 1997 3 0 HJK
2 3MF Vilma Koivisto (2002-11-21) 21 November 2002 10 1 Linköping
4 3MF Ria Öling (1994-09-15) 15 September 1994 95 11 Crystal Palace
7 3MF Anni Hartikainen (2003-08-19) 19 August 2003 13 1 Rosengård
8 3MF Olga Ahtinen (1997-08-15) 15 August 1997 75 4 Tottenham Hotspur
9 3MF Katariina Kosola (2001-02-24) 24 February 2001 23 4 Malmö FF
13 3MF Oona Siren (2001-02-23) 23 February 2001 25 1 West Ham United
20 3MF Eveliina Summanen (1998-05-29) 29 May 1998 77 14 Tottenham Hotspur
14 4FW Heidi Kollanen (1997-06-06) 6 June 1997 40 3 Vittsjö GIK
17 4FW Sanni Franssi (1995-03-19) 19 March 1995 92 7 London City Lionesses
18 4FW Linda Sällström (captain) (1988-07-13) 13 July 1988 153 64 Vittsjö GIK
21 4FW Oona Sevenius (2004-04-28) 28 April 2004 27 5 Rosengård
22 4FW Jutta Rantala (1999-11-11) 11 November 1999 32 10 Leicester City

Recent call-ups

The following players have also been called up to the squad within the past 12 months.

Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club Latest call-up
GK Milla-Maj Majasaari (1999-10-15) 15 October 1999 2 0 Crystal Palace v.  Serbia, 3 June 2025
GK Katriina Talaslahti (2000-09-21) 21 September 2000 2 0 Dijon v.  Hungary, 8 April 2025
DF Nanne Ruuskanen (2001-11-19) 19 November 2001 0 0 Djurgården v.  Serbia, 3 June 2025
DF Elli Pikkujämsä (1999-10-24) 24 October 1999 35 1 Racing Louisville v.  Hungary, 8 April 2025
DF Helmi Raijas (2005-05-11) 11 May 2005 1 0 Växjö v.  Hungary, 8 April 2025
DF Sanni Ojanen (2000-08-21) 21 August 2000 0 0 Vittsjö GIK v.  Montenegro, 29 October 2024
DF Tiia Peltonen (1995-06-08) 8 June 1995 12 0 Fortuna Hjørring v.  Italy, 9 April 2024
MF Adelina Engman INJ (1994-10-11) 11 October 1994 93 12 Como 2025 UEFA Women's Euro
MF Tao Stark (2004-08-01) 1 August 2004 0 0 KuPS v.  Hungary, 25 February 2025
MF Emmi Alanen RET (1991-04-30) 30 April 1991 109 22 Kristianstads DFF v.  Scotland, 3 December 2024
MF Sofia Määttä (2004-09-20) 20 September 2004 1 0 Glasgow City v.  Montenegro, 29 October 2024
MF Lotta Kalske (2005-12-07) 7 December 2005 0 0 HJK v.  Italy, 16 July 2024
MF Minea Lassas (1999-03-21) 21 March 1999 0 0 HOW Örebro v.  Netherlands, 4 June 2024
MF Emma Peuhkurinen (1999-11-30) 30 November 1999 12 0 LSK Kvinner v.  Italy, 9 April 2024
FW Lilli Halttunen (2005-07-01) 1 July 2005 5 1 Linköping v.  Serbia, 3 June 2025
FW Aino Kröger (1998-08-28) 28 August 1998 4 0 KuPS v.  Serbia, 3 June 2025
FW Dana Leskinen (2001-09-22) 22 September 2001 2 0 IFK Norrköping v.  Scotland, 3 December 2024
FW Lotta Lindström (2004-09-10) 10 September 2004 4 0 London City Lionesses v.  Italy, 16 July 2024
Notes
  • INJ = Withdrew due to injury
  • PRE = Preliminary squad / standby
  • RET = Retired from the national team

Records

*Active players in bold, statistics correct as of 9 July 2022

Most capped players

Rank Player Caps Goals Years
1 Linda Sällström 149 62 2007–
2 Anna Westerlund 147 4 2008–2022
3 Laura Österberg Kalmari 130 41 1996–2011
4 Tinja-Riikka Korpela (GK) 128 0 2007–
5 Tuija Hyyrynen 121 3 2007–2022
6 Sanna Valkonen 120 7 1995–2009
7 Anne Mäkinen 118 16 1991–2009
Jessica Julin 4 1997–2009
9 Emmi Alanen 109 22 2010–2025
10 Emma Koivisto 108 7 2012–
11 Anna-Kaisa Rantanen 105 8 1996–2011
12 Sanna Talonen 103 36 2004–2014
13 Katri Mattsson 100 2 1999–2015

Source:[13]

Top goalscorers

Rank Player Goals Caps Years Avg
1 Linda Sällström 62 149 2007– 0,416
2 Laura Österberg Kalmari 41 130 1996–2011 0,315
3 Sanna Talonen 36 103 2004–2014 0,350
4 Emmi Alanen 22 109 2010–2025 0,202
5 Annica Sjölund 17 69 2006–2014 0,246
6 Anne Mäkinen 16 118 1991–2009 0,136
7 Eveliina Summanen 14 73 2017– 0,192
8 Heidi Kackur 12 48 1999–2005 0,250
Adelina Engman 12 93 2012– 0,129
10 Maija Saari 11 94 2007–2016 0,117
Ria Öling 11 91 2015– 0,121
12 Jutta Rantala 10 31 2020– 0,323

Source:[13]

Competitive record

FIFA Women's World Cup

FIFA Women's World Cup record Qualification record
Year Result GP W D* L GF GA GD Round GP W D* L GF GA GD
1991 Did not qualify UEFA Euro 1991
1995 UEFA Euro 1995
1999 Play-offs 8 3 1 4 8 9 −1
2003 Group 2 6 1 0 5 4 24 −20
2007 Group 3 8 5 1 2 16 5 +11
2011 Group 7 8 6 1 1 25 6 +19
2015 Group 7 10 7 0 3 27 9 +18
2019 Group 7 8 3 1 4 9 13 −4
2023 Group A 8 3 1 4 14 12 −10
2027 To be determined To be determined
2031 To be determined To be determined
2035 To be determined To be determined
Total - - - - - - - - Round 56 28 5 23 103 78 +13
*Draws include knockout matches decided on penalty kicks.

Olympic Games

Summer Olympics record
Year Result GP W D L GF GA
1996 Did not qualify
2000
2004
2008
2012
2016
2020
2024 Unable to qualify[a]
2028 To be determined
2032
Total - - - - - - -

UEFA Women's Championship

UEFA Women's Championship record Qualifying record
Year Result P W D* L GF GA GD Round P W D* L GF GA GD P/R Rnk
1984 Did not qualify Group 1 6 2 0 4 5 17 −12 –
1987 Group 1 6 1 2 3 2 6 −4
1989 Group 1 6 1 2 3 9 11 −2
1991 Group 3 6 1 2 3 3 6 −3
1993 Group 2 4 0 2 2 3 12 −9
1995 Group 1 6 2 3 1 8 7 +1
1997 Play-offs 8 1 1 6 2 24 −22
2001 Play-offs 8 2 0 6 8 21 −13
2005 Semi-finals 4 1 1 2 5 8 −3 Play-offs 10 4 4 2 16 7 +9 –
2009 Quarter-finals 4 2 0 2 5 5 0 Qualified as host
2013 Group stage 3 0 2 1 1 6 −5 Group 5 8 6 1 1 22 4 +18 –
2017 Did not qualify Group 2 8 4 1 3 17 12 +5
2022 Group stage 3 0 0 3 1 8 −7 Group E 8 7 1 0 24 2 +22
2025 Qualified Play-offs 10 4 3 3 12 12 0 [b] 13th
2029 To be determined To be determined
Total 5/14 14 3 3 8 12 27 −15 Total 94 35 22 37 131 141 −10 13th
*Draws include knockout matches decided on penalty kicks.

UEFA Women's Nations League

UEFA Women's Nations League record
Season Division Group Pos Pld W D L GF GA P/R Rnk
2023–24 B 2 1st 6 5 1 0 18 2 18th
2025 B 3 To be determined
Total 6 5 1 0 18 2 18th
Promoted at end of season
No movement at end of season
Relegated at end of season
* Participated in promotion/relegation play-offs

Pinatar Cup

Pinatar Cup record
Year Result GP W D L GF GA GD
2024 Champions 2 1 1 0 2 1 +1
Total 2 1 1 0 2 1 +1

Cyprus Women's Cup

Cyprus Women's Cup record
Year Result GP W D L GF GA GD
2012 7th place 4 1 1 2 6 7 −1
2013 7th place 4 1 1 2 5 6 −1
2014 12th place 4 0 1 3 1 8 −7
2015 9th place 4 1 1 2 3 7 −4
2016 8th place 4 0 1 3 3 8 −5
2018 11th place 4 1 1 2 4 7 −3
2019 9th place 4 1 1 2 3 6 −3
2020 Runners-up 3 1 1 1 7 6 +1
2023 Champions 3 3 0 0 16 1 +15
Total 34 9 8 17 48 56 −8

Algarve Cup

Algarve Cup record
Year Result GP W D L GF GA GD
1994 6th place 3 0 0 3 0 9 −9
1995 6th place 4 1 0 3 3 6 −3
1996 8th place 4 0 0 4 1 15 −14
1997 6th place 4 1 0 3 3 8 −5
1998 8th place 4 0 0 4 2 6 −4
1999 8th place 4 0 1 3 1 7 −6
2000 7th place 4 1 0 3 5 8 −3
2001 7th place 4 1 0 3 4 15 −11
2002 7th place 4 1 0 3 4 8 −5
2003 6th place 4 0 2 2 0 6 −6
2004 9th place 4 1 0 3 6 10 −4
2005 10th place 4 0 0 4 3 10 −7
2006 7th place 4 1 1 2 5 12 −7
2007 6th place 4 1 0 3 2 6 −4
2008 8th place 4 0 0 4 1 10 −9
2009 7th place 4 1 0 3 1 5 −4
2010 8th place 4 0 1 3 2 11 −9
2011 10th place 4 0 0 4 2 13 −11
Total

Nordic Football Championship

Women's Nordic Football Championship record
Year Result GP W D L GF GA GD
1974 Third place 2 0 0 2 0 6 −6
1975 Third place 2 0 0 2 0 13 −13
1976 Third place 2 0 0 2 1 5 −4
1977 Third place 2 0 0 2 0 5 −5
1978 Third place 3 1 1 1 1 4 −3
1979 Third place 3 1 1 1 2 5 −3
1980 Fourth place 3 0 2 1 1 8 −7
1981 Runners-up 3 1 1 1 3 4 −1
1982 Fourth place 3 0 1 2 1 6 −5
Total 9/9 23 3 6 14 9 56 −47

See also

Notes

  1. ^ Finland was unable to qualify since Finland was in the “League B” at the 2023–24 UEFA Women's Nations League.
  2. ^ From Euro 2025 onwards a new qualifying format was introduced, linked to the Women's Nations League where teams are divided into leagues with promotion/relegation between the leagues at the end of each cycle.

References

  1. ^ a b c "Helmarit nimetty MM-karsinta-avaukseen Serbiaa vastaan" (in Finnish). Football Association of Finland. Archived from the original on 23 June 2018. Retrieved 22 June 2018.
  2. ^ "Linda Sällström". palloliitto.fi (in Finnish). Football Association of Finland. Retrieved 15 June 2025.
  3. ^ "The FIFA/Coca-Cola Women's World Ranking". FIFA. 12 June 2025. Retrieved 12 June 2025.
  4. ^ UEFA.com. "Season 2005 Matches | UEFA Women's EURO". UEFA. Retrieved 29 March 2024.
  5. ^ "Women's Euro 2009 in Finland". Embassy of Finland. 2009. Archived from the original on 29 December 2016. Retrieved 28 December 2016.
  6. ^ "Finland". FIFA. Archived from the original on 19 February 2015. Retrieved 28 December 2016.
  7. ^ "Naisten jalkapallomaajoukkueen taival on puolivuosisatainen – jo alussa mentiin sisulla ja yhteispelillä". Hämeen Sanomat. 25 October 2023. Retrieved 8 September 2024.
  8. ^ "Yle ei näytä Suomen maaotteluita Valko-Venäjää vastaan – Ottelut pyritään näyttämään Palloliiton Youtube-kanavalla" (in Finnish). Football Association of Finland. 27 February 2025. Retrieved 5 March 2025.
  9. ^ "Helmarit - Joukkue" (in Finnish). Finnish Football Federation. Retrieved 29 October 2024.
  10. ^ Helmareiden taustaryhmään muutoksia, Football Association of Finland, 30 January 2025
  11. ^ "Helmarit nimetty EM-lopputurnaukseen" [Helmarit named for the European Championship finals] (in Finnish). Suomen Palloliitto/Finnish Football Association. 19 June 2025.
  12. ^ Finnish Team
  13. ^ a b "Finland – Women International Player Records". Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation (RSSSF).Published 8 October 2019, retrieved and Updated data 15 June 2021. Archived from the original on 4 April 2023. Retrieved 2 February 2023.
  1. ^ a b Due to the Belarusian involvement in the Russian invasion of Ukraine Finland will not host Belarus. The match is played at neutral venue behind closed doors.[8]
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