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Bachmann denies Finland warm-up win

Finland 2-2 Switzerland
The visitors prevented Finland from registering a victory in their final warm-up match, equalising for a second time through Ramona Bachmann.

Ramona Bachmann scored Switzerland's second equaliser
Ramona Bachmann scored Switzerland's second equaliser ©Sportsfile

Finland were twice pegged back by Switzerland as they drew their final warm-up match before UEFA Women's EURO 2013.

Emmi Alanen scored in each half at the Olympic Stadium in Helsinki for the 2009 finals hosts, who were denied their first win in four games by Ramona Bachmann's strike 12 minutes from time. The friendly, part of celebrations to mark 40 years of international women's football in the Nordic country, was kicked off by Marjukka Hartikka, captain for Finland's maiden fixture in August 1973.

Finland reacted by making a positive start, taking the lead in the ninth minute. Annica Sjölund found Sanna Talonen, who in turn picked out Alanen unmarked in the penalty area. The visitors responded strongly and fortuitously levelled just before the half-hour mark. Annika Kukkonen tried to intercept Vanessa Bernauer's pass, but unluckily guided the ball into her net past helpless goalkeeper Tinja-Riikka Korpela.

Reinvigorated by their slice of fortune, Switzerland seized the initiative but could find no way through the Finland defence. Andrée Jeglertz's team picked up the pace after the hour and, following a few near misses, regained the lead when Alanen rifled a shot into the roof of the net from the edge of the box. Bachmann, however, ensured the lead was short-lived, racing clear of the Finland back line and beating Korpela.

Finland announce their finals squad on 29 June and begin the finals against Italy in Halmstad on 10 July. They then travel to Gothenburg to take on hosts Sweden and Denmark.

Alanen, who started on the left wing instead of in her usual No10 playmaking position, said: "We played quite well but made some small mistakes and that made the game difficult for us."

Korpela skippered Finland in the absence of injured defender Maija Saari. Jeglertz has yet to decide who will lead the side in the Mallbackens IF player's absence. "It is an honour to captain the team in front of a home crowd, but we will see who will wear the armband in the finals," said Saari.

Switzerland are preparing for 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup qualifying, which they begin on 21 September at home to Serbia, with Denmark, Iceland, Israel and Malta also in Group 3.

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