Riihilahti rescues travelling Finns

Denmark 1-1 Finland

Dramatic free-kick
The Danes had taken the lead in the 42nd minute through Chelsea FC winger Jesper Gronkjær. However, the home side failed to add to their tally and were punished when Riihilahti equalised from a free-kick with just two minutes left to play.

English experience
Denmark, top of UEFA EURO 2004™ qualifying Group 2, went into the match as favourites and started the brighter of the two sides. Gronkjær and another English-based player, Thomas Gravesen of Everton FC, particularly controlled the play with some lively moves.

Johansson close
Gronkjær broke the deadlock as time ticked away in the first half and it looked like Denmark would go on for a comfortable victory. However, Jonatan Johansson almost equalised for the Finns only to see his shot come back off a post.

Draw deserved
Substitutions spoiled the flow of the game after the break but the Finns adapted best. The team, placed third in Group 9, raised their game and got the goal their play deserved when Riihilahti stepped up for an equaliser to silence the majority of the 14,882 crowd.

Future games
Denmark are next in action on 10 September at home against Romania. Finland, meanwhile, have a trip to Azerbaijan on 6 September before playing Wales in Cardiff four days later.