Strong squad for Finland
Thursday, August 15, 2002
Article summary
Finland have named a near full-strength squad for their friendly against the Republic of Ireland.
Article body
Finland have named a near full-strength squad for their 21 August friendly against the Republic of Ireland, but have received the news that striker Mikael Forssell will miss both that game and the opening EURO 2004™ qualifying Group 9 fixture against Wales.
Knee injury
The Chelsea FC forward is sidelined with a knee injury that he has been suffering with since the end of last season, and a spokesman for the Football Association of Finland said that Forssell will be out for another month.
English-based seven
Otherwise coach Antti Muurinen's squad is as expected, including the Liverpool FC pair Sami Hyypiä and Jari Litmanen, among seven English-based players in the 19-man party.
Group 9 fixtures
Helsinki will host the match against Irish, with the Welsh game in the same city. Finland's other opponents in Group 9 are Italy, Yugoslavia and Azerbaijan.
Finland squad
Jaaskelainen, Niemi, Enckelman, Kuivasto, Hyypiä, Saarinen, Reini, Pasanen, Nurmela, Riihilahti, Kolkka, Tainio, Ilola, Kopteff, Litmanen, Johansson, Kuqi, Kottila.
