Finns fret over walking wounded

Coach Antti Muurinen was sweating over injuries as he named his squad for Finland's next two UEFA EURO 2004™ qualifiers.

Uncertain starters
With his side facing Serbia and Montenegro at the Helsinki Olympic stadium on 7 June and Italy at the same venue four days later, Muurinen remained unsure whether he would be able to include three of his 20-man squad in the starting lineup in either game.

Suspension worries
There are question marks over goalkeeper Antti Niemi, and outfield players Aki Riihilahti and Jari Ilola as the coach admitted: "Antti Niemi is still a doubt because of his injured knee. Also Aki Riihilahti and Jari Ilola have suffered from minor injuries and remain a little bit doubtful. We also have five players who will be suspended if booked in the next match."

Full squad
However, the coach was happy to report that he had almost a full squad to choose from as Finland aim to lift themselves into contention for a place at the UEFA European Championship finals in Portugal. "Teemu Tainio is the only absentee, he has still groin problems and won't be able to play", Muurinen said.

Qualification prospects
Finland lie in fourth place in Group 9 having earned just three points from their opening four games. They are nine points adrift of group leaders Wales but have the perfect opportunity to make up ground on Serbia and Montenegro with back-to-back home games.

Finland squad
Enckelman, Jääskeläinen, Niemi, Hyypiä, Kuivasto, Nylund, Pasanen, Saarinen, Tihinen, Forssell, Ilola, Johansson, Kolkka, Koppinen, Kopteff, Kuqi, Litmanen, Nurmela, Riihilahti, Valakari.