Valkonen strike denies Switzerland
Sunday, June 1, 2003
Article summary
Finland 1-1 Switzerland
An equaliser from Sanna Valkonen ten minutes from time earned Finland a draw in their opening qualifying game.
Article body
An equaliser from Sanna Valkonen ten minutes from time gave Finland a 1-1 draw at home to Switzerland in UEFA Women's European Championship qualifying Group 1.
Di Fonzo on target
The draw ensured that Michael Käld's side did not begin their campaign with a home defeat at Leppävaara Sport Park in Espoo, although Switzerland had seemed to be on their way to a second successive win when striker Monica Di Fonzo opened the scoring seven minutes before half-time.
Late equaliser
However, the home side pressed forward in the second period in search of an equaliser, and got their reward in the 80th minute when 25-year-old defender Valkonen levelled the match.
Switzerland second
The result left Switzerland in second place in the section with four points from three games. Jost Leuzinger's team began with a heavy 6-0 defeat away by Sweden, who lead the section with a maximum six points from two matches, but recovered well to defeat Serbia and Montenegro in their next game. Finland are in fourth place, but have at least one game in hand on the four other sides in the section.
