'Empty' Mäkinen lifted by home fans
Friday, September 4, 2009
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Anne Mäkinen felt numb after the last-eight defeat by England that may end her Finland career but reflected on the hosts' finals campaign, saying: "I am sure we were able to win many hearts."
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Hosts Finland bowed out of UEFA WOMEN'S EURO 2009™ on Thursday and captain Anne Mäkinen felt numb after what could be the last game of her 118-cap international career.
'Mind is empty'
A 3-2 quarter-final defeat by England in Turku, a repeat of the scoreline in the opening game four years ago when Finland nonetheless recovered to pip the hosts to the last four on their tournament debut, means Mäkinen's side will play no further part in the biggest senior football tournament their nation has ever staged. And Mäkinen, whose international career began in June 1991 and resumed last year after an initial 2006 retirement, admits she may not go on. "My mind is empty at the moment and it is impossible to say anything for sure right now," the midfielder said. "But this may have been my last game in the national team."
Disappointment
It was an exciting game, with Finland twice reducing arrears after going two goals down, but the equaliser never arrived. "Of course we are disappointed," the 33-year-old Mäkinen said. "We had set our goal to reach the semi-finals and did not quite make it. England were able to find one more gear, all credit to them. We fought until the end and had our chances, too. I feel sorry for the fans, though, we could not provide what they wanted."
Fans
Those fans ensured the Turku Stadium was virtually full, and in Finland's three group games at the Olympic Stadium in Helsinki by far the biggest crowds for any women's international in that country – 16,324, 16,148 and 15,138 – were recorded. Mäkinen said: "The taste is sweeter if I think of the fans, the attendances were great and after all, the result is not everything. I am sure we were able to win many hearts and this hopefully means there will be more and more little girls and boys interested in football."
Unique tournament
She added: "I doubt if a tournament of this magnitude will ever be held in Finland again. Hopefully we will be able to take everything out of it for the future. It is not just about attracting more players, it should also mean better coaching and better facilities."
