Women’s Euro: Finland players left the departure from the agonizing exit in Switzerland
For the first time in the history of the UEFA European Women’s Championship, a goal scored in the increased time in the final round of group matches has set a qualification in the Nokau stages.
Unfortunately for Finlandwere those who accepted it, as the host nation Switzerland found a 92-minute minute Riola Xhemaili equilibrium in a 1-1 draw to save themselves for an early exit and send the Finns home.
It was a draw that would feel more painful than any loss for boreal Owls players, who were on the verge of quarter -finals thanks Natalia KuikkaSentence in the 79th minute.
Despite the pain, Finland coach Marko Saloranta had nothing but praise for his side when talking at the post -match press conference, “I had to breathe in full time. I’m proud of how dedicated my players were, how crazy they were. No one believed us outside the camp, but we knew we could compete.”
“We ended up a 16-year reception for a final of the finals Iceland“ He continued, “Played well against Norway And then approached so close to get the result here to advance. We are hurting. ”
For Saloranta, yesterday’s match was where his team came short, rather than losing to Norway, “I wouldn’t change anything in the first two games. We were quite good and believed in ourselves. We fought more here.”
“We were probably more or less passive tonight; we didn’t make enough pressure on the ball. You saw our reaction when we accepted the draw.”
The penalty marker Kuikka shared the view that Finland was not at the maximum when it mattered.
“Switzerland was much better than us. They came to the game as they wanted to win and it showed. We lost many individual battles and I felt like the ball was just dancing. We were not taking control of it.”
“We were unable to play the game we usually play. Switzerland definitely made it difficult for us and, in the end, they were able to equalize. It is bitter and it hurts,” she added.
For Saloranta, the final feeling is a pride, and he remains optimistic about what the future holds for his side.
“We were so close. No one was waiting to fight for a place in the quarter -finals, but all the players – all of us – we were proud and sure we would compete to go further. Now we were traveling home again because Switzerland scored a late goal.”
When asked if Finland could build their time at UEFA UEFA UEFA’s UEFA 2025, the coach was unclear, “Absolutely! I’m very proud of my players because we told everyone in Finland that we are competing and not just participating in a tour.”