Finland women's national football team

Finland
NicknameHelmarit (the Boreal Owls)[1]
AssociationFootball Association
of Finland
(Suomen Palloliitto)
ConfederationUEFA (Europe)
Head coachMarko Saloranta
CaptainTinja-Riikka Korpela
Most capsLinda Sällström (157)[2]
Top scorerLinda Sällström (64)
FIFA codeFIN
First colours
Second colours
FIFA ranking
Current 23 1 (11 December 2025)[3]
Highest14 (September 2005)
Lowest32 (March 2019)
First international
 Finland 0–0 Sweden 
(Mariehamn, Finland; 25 August 1973)
Biggest win
 Bulgaria 0–8 Finland 
(Lovech, Bulgaria; 21 August 2014)
 Finland 8–0 Hungary 
(Larnaca, Cyprus; 19 February 2023)
Biggest defeat
 Denmark 9–0 Finland 
(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

3 December Euro 2025 qualifying play-offs Finland  2–0
(2–0 agg.)		  Scotland Helsinki
(UTC+03:00)
  • Kuikka 8'
  • Lehtola 28'
 Report Stadium: Bolt Arena
Attendance: 7,259

2025

21 February 2025 Nations League Serbia  1–0  Finland 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  Finland Budapest
Report
Stadium: Hidegkuti Nándor Stadion
Referee: Hristiyana Guteva (Bulgaria)
4 April 2025 Nations League Finland  0–0  Belarus Novara, Italy
Report Stadium: Stadio Silvio Piola [note 1]
Attendance: 0[note 1]
Referee: Emanuela Rusta (Albania)
8 April 2025 Nations League Finland  3–0  Hungary Tampere
 Report Stadium: Tammelan Stadion
Attendance: 4,135
Referee: Angelika Söder (Germany)
30 May 2025 Nations League Belarus  0–3  Finland Szeged
 Stadium: Szent Gellért Fórum
Attendance: 0
Referee: Merima Čelik Bosnia and Herzegovina
3 June 2025 Nations League Finland  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  Finland Leeuwarden
20:00
Stadium: Kooi Stadion
2 July Euro 2025 Group stage Iceland  0–1  Finland Thun, Switzerland
18:00
Stadium: Stockhorn Arena
Attendance: 7,683
Referee: Katalin Kulcsar
6 July Euro 2025 GS Norway  2–1  Finland Sion, Switzerland
18:00 UTC+2
Report
Stadium: Stade de Tourbillon
Attendance: 7,376
Referee: Silvia Gasperotti (Italy)
10 July Euro 2025 GS Finland  1–1  Switzerland Geneva, Switzerland
21:00
Report
Stadium: Stade de Genève
Attendance: 26,388
Referee: Stéphanie Frappart (France)
24 October 2025 Nations League Play-offs Finland  1–6  Denmark Tampere
19:00 UTC+3
Report
Stadium: Tammelan Stadion
Attendance: 6,474
Referee: Désirée Grundbacher (Switzerland)
28 October 2025 Nations League Play-offs Denmark  2–0  Finland Copenhagen
18:00 UTC+2
Report Stadium: Parken Stadium
Attendance: 14,475
Referee: Marta Huerta de Aza (Spain)
27 November Friendly Finland  1–1  Austria Arcos de la Frontera, Spain
19:00 Stadium: Estadio Antonio Gallardo
1 December Friendly Finland  1–1  Belgium Sanlúcar de Barrameda, Spain
19:00 Sevenius 34' Janssens 12' Stadium: Estadio El Pamar

2026

3 March 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup qualification Portugal  v  Finland
7 March 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup qualification Finland  v  Latvia
14 April 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup qualification Finland  v  Slovakia
18 April 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup qualification Latvia  v  Finland
5 June 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup qualification Slovakia  v  Finland
9 June 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup qualification Finland  v  Portugal

Coaching staff

Current coaching staff

As of October 2024[9][10]

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

Manager history

As of 2 December 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 43 21 11 11 048.84

Players

Current squad

The following players were called up for the Friendly matches against Austria and Belgium on 27 November and 1 December 2025, respectively. [11]

Caps and goals correct as of 28 October 2025, after the match against Denmark. [12]
No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
1 1GK Anna Koivunen (1999-11-28) 28 November 1999 10 0 Djurgården
12 1GK Milla-Maj Majasaari (1999-10-15) 15 October 1999 2 0 Crystal Palace
23 1GK Katriina Talaslahti (2000-09-21) 21 September 2000 2 0 Dijon
2 2DF Maaria Roth (1997-06-13) 13 June 1997 5 0 HJK
3 2DF Eva Nyström (captain) (1999-11-29) 29 November 1999 34 2 West Ham United
5 2DF Emma Koivisto (1994-09-25) 25 September 1994 113 7 AC Milan
10 2DF Emmi Siren (2001-02-23) 23 February 2001 9 0 Dijon
15 2DF Nanne Ruuskanen (2001-11-19) 19 November 2001 2 0 Djurgården
16 2DF Nea Lehtola (1998-10-24) 24 October 1998 19 3 Brann
2DF Jasmin Mansaray (2004-12-27) 27 December 2004 0 0 LSK Kvinner
4 3MF Ria Öling (1994-09-15) 15 September 1994 98 11 Braga
7 3MF Adelina Engman (1994-10-11) 11 October 1994 95 12 Como
8 3MF Olga Ahtinen (1997-08-15) 15 August 1997 78 4 Tottenham Hotspur
9 3MF Katariina Kosola (2001-02-24) 24 February 2001 27 4 Malmö FF
11 3MF Vilma Koivisto (2002-11-21) 21 November 2002 11 1 Linköping
13 3MF Oona Siren (2001-02-23) 23 February 2001 29 1 West Ham United
14 3MF Julia Tunturi (1996-04-25) 25 April 1996 28 0 Vittsjö
20 3MF Milja Kiviranta (2006-05-15) 15 May 2006 2 0 HJK
3MF Eveliina Summanen (1998-05-29) 29 May 1998 79 14 Tottenham Hotspur
17 4FW Sanni Franssi (1995-03-19) 19 March 1995 95 7 London City Lionesses
19 4FW Lotta Lindström (2004-09-10) 10 September 2004 6 1 London City Lionesses
21 4FW Oona Sevenius (2004-04-28) 28 April 2004 30 6 Newcastle United
4FW Dana Leskinen (2001-09-22) 22 September 2001 2 0 IFK Norrköping
4FW Paulina Nyström (2000-08-17) 17 August 2000 0 0 Häcken

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 Tinja-Riikka Korpela RET (1986-05-05) 5 May 1986 128 0 Servette 2025 UEFA Women's Euro
GK Anna Tamminen (1994-10-30) 30 October 1994 16 0 Hammarby 2025 UEFA Women's Euro
DF Joanna Tynnilä (2001-09-01) 1 September 2001 26 0 Brann v.  Denmark, 28 October 2025
DF Natalia Kuikka (1995-12-01) 1 December 1995 102 5 Chicago Red Stars 2025 UEFA Women's Euro
DF Nora Heroum (1994-07-20) 20 July 1994 93 2 HJK 2025 UEFA Women's Euro
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
MF Anni Hartikainen (2003-08-19) 19 August 2003 14 1 Rosengård 2025 UEFA Women's Euro
MF Emma Peuhkurinen ALT (1999-11-30) 30 November 1999 12 0 LSK Kvinner 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
FW Linda Sällström RET (1988-07-13) 13 July 1988 157 64 Vittsjö GIK v.  Denmark, 28 October 2025
FW Jutta Rantala (1999-11-11) 11 November 1999 36 10 Leicester City v.  Denmark, 28 October 2025
FW Heidi Kollanen (1997-06-06) 6 June 1997 40 3 Vittsjö GIK 2025 UEFA Women's Euro
FW Lilli Halttunen ALT (2005-07-01) 1 July 2005 5 1 Linköping 2025 UEFA Women's Euro
FW Aino Kröger ALT (1998-08-28) 28 August 1998 4 0 KuPS 2025 UEFA Women's Euro
Notes
  • ALT = Alternate
  • INJ = Withdrew due to injury
  • 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 157 64 2007–2025
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 64 157 2007–2025 0,407
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

Finland at the 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 Group stage 3 1 1 1 3 3 0 Play-offs 10 4 3 3 12 12 0 [b] 13th
2029 To be determined To be determined
Total 5/14 17 4 4 9 15 30 −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 2nd 8 3 2 3 9 10 * 23rd
Total 14 8 1 3 27 12 18th and 23rd
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. 11 December 2025. Retrieved 11 December 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 Itävalta- ja Belgia-otteluihin" [Helmarit named for Austria and Belgium matches] (in Finnish). Suomen Palloliitto / Finnish Football Association. 19 November 2025.
  12. ^ Finnish Squad
  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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