HOW Finland's national team wrote history

November 2019: The “Huuhkajat” or “Eagle-owls” write history - by qualifying for a major tournament for the first time. The Finnish Football Association was founded back in 1907. 113 years later, the men’s team will be competing at its first Euros. Kick off! spoke to current stars like Lukas Hradecky and Teemu Pukki, as well as Finnish football legends like Mikael Forssell and Petri Pasanen, to ask what this means to some of football's longest-suffering fans.
Finland's opponents in EURO 2021 (aka EURO 2020) Group B include Denmark, Belgium and Russia.
The first match will take place on June 13th in Copenhagen against Denmark.
Report by Thomas Klein & Oliver Moody
Camera: Thomas Klein
Editing: Andreas Hieronymus
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[@dwkickoff]

What does Finland's historic qualification mean for the country? And how far can they make it at the Euros?

[@vexihommissa666]

Everything, and we are going at least quarter finals.

[@hardowider5054]

Not far, Finland's biggest weaknesses are poor passing and bad defense.

[@vexihommissa666]

@@hardowider5054 How many matches youve been watched? 😂

[@tuttirulla]

Going to lose all three matches. Two opponents have home advantage and the third one is too strong (though Belgium might have qualified by the time they meet Finland).

[@McLovin112]

Everything, waited my whole life that moment. And probably lose all 3 but we’re already winners to get there

[@sbongadlamini388]

30 comments??? This channel is criminally underrated but the production is golden

[@checcofigu8339]

sbonga dlamini now 333

[@Erik-sw3tc]

Good luck Finnish brothers! Hopefullly both Sweden and Finland do good in the Euros! 🇸🇪💪🏻🇫🇮

[@jarmum5032]

No worries. Belgium end no 1 in the pool. Finland no 2. No 3-4 are of no importance. Finland will beat Denmark 2-1 or even 3-1, and Russia 2-1 or 2-0.

[@keijokiiskinen9673]

Tbh weden is light years ahead of us Finns. Our only goal is one win and maybe a ties. :P

[@qBeYcarpet]

Funny how Swedes support Finns but Finns only hope the worst for Swedes. Hoping you do well even without Zlatan, greetings from Finland.

[@rallyycar6750]

@@qBeYcarpet not really true. I’d say those are just individual idiots who make those ”haha sweden gay” jokes. I support sweden in football after finland. However, its another thing in hockey.

[@petrilampilahti5176]

Yepp

[@jindrich5562]

Best of luck to Finland at EURO! ⚽ Regards from Czechia

[@xooperz]

likewise from Finland. we shall meet in the final

[@janpazourek5018]

Neříkej tomu Czechia

[@dcomic1504]

Byl jsem tak šťastný, že jsme se dostali dovnitř

[@villekyllonen8941]

I from Finland

[@anonymousboogaloo]

The underdog's story is always a treasure

[@alexaghios6049]

Greece loves you Finland! 🇬🇷💙🇫🇮

[@eetu847]

Thank you i like your football league and i support Aris Fc, from finland!❤

[@Doss3332]

Ty For knocking Bosnia out

[@xooperz]

lmao yeah I was going mental when Kovačević scored an own goal and you beat Bosnia. thanks a bunch

[@ali-jn8wt]

Is this team in the Finnish league

[@tayto9902]

Love greece too♥️

[@FredrikGustafsson1975]

I'm so looking forward seeing my Eastern brothers play in the Euro. I'm sure all of the Swedish people will be there for you!!!

[@chrislfc2317]

Hope all of the Nordics go through, the only thing is that Denmark needs a miracle without Eriksen

[@abcdecghijklmn]

Tack så mycket svenska kompismannen

[@mohamedabdullahinuurarab160]

Unbelievable Finland 🙏The boys made history 🔥.

[@kallearo9950]

Boys from Finland.

[@user-fo2ik1vt4b]

Suomi Perkele Kippis Torilla Tavataan Vittu

[@zenavasa7585]

Thanks

[@jeremiastiuraniemi111]

Suomi mainittu!!!! Torille🇫🇮🇫🇮🇫🇮🇫🇮

[@tapio3376]

Pojat tietöö missä tavataan

[@kalles6593]

⚽️🇫🇮🇫🇮🇫🇮⚽️💙

[@jeremiastiuraniemi111]

@CRINGE BOYS en ees pelaa forttii enää

[@randomp1493]

Oi Suomi on

[@villekyllonen8941]

PERKELE

[@Miyagi247]

Good luck Finland in making a history at 2020 UEFA Euro Championships. Greets from Poland 🇫🇮🇵🇱

[@duckmaster7]

Thank you. Good luck for Poland too

[@Miyagi247]

@@duckmaster7 let's hope that both Poland and Finland will play in the knockout stage at the EURO

[@duckmaster7]

@@Miyagi247 yeah. Good luck

[@rafihexa]

The Nordics have been really improving recently in football. A few years ago, we've already seen the rise of Iceland. Denmark and Sweden, traditional football powers among Nordic countries, have done great in the past few years. Norway has produced great young talents like Erling Haaland or Martin Odegaard, and now Finland has qualified for a major tournament for the first time.

[@timomastosalo]

Norway had a good run in the late 90's when they made the World cup. The real wonder is Iceland - less than half million people, and made the World cup and Eurocup

[@johanneskarlsson3859]

This can be the first time all Nordic Countys go to EC. As a Swed I dont now if I am happy for them ore afride of the future.

[@nikke808]

@@johanneskarlsson3859 for me it would be really awesome if one nordic country could go to the semi finals or maybe even finals. I am finnish but I am supporting every Nordic country to do well in EC. Good luck🇫🇮

[@Nikkeloodeon]

@@nikke808 Denmark already won the whole thing in 1992.

[@xooperz]

the next step is for a Nordic country to win the World Cup for the first time... also Euros for the 2nd time since Denmark 1992 would be nice

[@ATH420]

All the best from Finland in the Euro 2020. Greetings to our Finnish brothers from Basque Country, Spain.

[@man123killed]

I hope Spain and Basque are different countryes in 2021 Barca!

[@villekyllonen8941]

🇪🇸🇫🇮

[@bradlloyd6261]

You all ALWAYS do a great job DW Kickoff!! No matter how poorly the likes come in. People (real football fans), are missing out!

[@ali-jn8wt]

Is this team in the Finnish league

[@dwkickoff]

Thanks a lot Brad Lloyd! 😊

[@EmperorMonkey35]

Backing Finland all the way! From a Norwich fan 💚💛 🇫🇮

[@villekyllonen8941]

Teemu pukki💛💚

[@terrygyimah1956]

Could Finland pull off an Iceland EURO 2016 type miracle run? I wouldn't bet against Finland. I mean it is their first major tournament in their country's history. Finland are a wild card because no one knows what to expect from them. But I really do want to see you guys do well. CONGRATULATIONS FINLAND🇫🇮🇫🇮🇫🇮🇫🇮 MUCH RESPECT FROM GHANA🇬🇭

[@dwkickoff]

Dear fellow football lovers, We would like to address our mistake. It´s Lahti not Lathi! Our apologies! Sorry

[@haaspaas2]

Unforgiveable!

[@harjatalonen3467]

No problem

[@ryyb_himself]

Sauna does literally not mean "sweat lodge". Sauna is a sauna.

[@mwickholm]

I found one more error, you wrote Forssell with just one s.

[@ali-jn8wt]

Is this team in the Finnish league

[@LuminalSpoon]

Can't wait to see Finland at the Euros. All the best from Scotland. 🇫🇮🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@daniboyrulez]

Well deserved Finland 🇫🇮, love from Ukraine 🇺🇦

[@tomboz777]

***[DARUDE SANDSTORM INTENSIFIES]***

[@tayto9902]

Yeah lmao😂😂

[@alksi1]

Country that has 3.5 million fewer people than in London qualifies for EURO2020. Its a great example that quantity never secures quality. Waiting anxoiusly for the games already! The main reason i think its so important for us to get to the major tournaments is that it will inspire future generations to start football as a hobby and eventually more rising stars will come out of the blue.

[@dwkickoff]

Great to see how excited people are so long before the tournament! Do you think this can be a turning point for Finnish football?

[@Will_O_Whisp]

Hej alla finländare jag kommer från Sverige 🇸🇪. Jag ville bara säga Grattis TILL EURO 2020

[@dogless3921]

Will-O- Whisp tack

[@Noggerdog]

Kiitos svedupelle

[@planar322]

Congrats Finland! From Croatia. See you at EURO 2020!

[@blair4935]

thanks for barisic and katic, give us majer now please

[@blair4935]

@N L croatia is the land of gods love every single one of you

[@villekyllonen8941]

I from Finland

[@Mr.B61]

Real football fans are loving this channel thank you for everything Kick off. The success will be coming💪❤

[@dwkickoff]

Thanks a lot Frank Enders! Spread the word!

[@zeck0715]

good luck finland! from S. korea

[@jmg7409]

very well done Finland. Congratulations from Portugal.

[@timgnanapandithan9517]

Finland 🇫🇮 deserves to qualify for Euro 2020. I am fan of Austria 🇦🇹/ England 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿, I remember 🇫🇮 defeated 🇦🇹 for WC 94 qualify campaign, and drew 1-1 with 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 before. 🇫🇮 have produced players like Litmanen, Hyppia, who have played and won European Cup with Ajax, Liverpool, and I believe in the Finland should have qualified for Euro 2004, the team were coached by Roy Hodgson, and 🇫🇮 beat 🇵🇹, 🇵🇱,🇦🇲, and played exciting football. The root to success is search for young players, and training them to be future stars, and 🇫🇮 have found the formula and don't forget 🇫🇮 is a ice hockey mad country ( I watch ice hockey and support 🇫🇮 in Olympics and WC, so I love your team), and there is positivity in the 🇫🇮 team, why not, look at 🇮🇸, they qualify beating 🇦🇹 ( in group)and 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 ( 2nd round), so I feel 🇫🇮 have a good chance of getting out of group, and remember 🇫🇮 have beaten 🇧🇪,🇩🇰 and 🇷🇺 before ( The 🇫🇮 v 🇷🇺, excites me, and can't wait to see that match).

[@mcstaal]

European football needs some Sisu. Greetings from Denmark.

[@darraghbrad6248]

Best of luck to Finland in the Euros 2020 from Ireland 🍀

[@aditkun706]

Ohhh finland you really2 nice country Love from indonesia 😊

[@zenavasa7585]

Thanks

[@Jp1904]

Congratulations on making it to the Euro! Looking forward to see you fins in the stands and on the pitch! From a Brazilian fan! Come on Suomi!

[@spicyturtle21]

All the best to Finland 🇫🇮, from Nepal.

[@zenavasa7585]

Thanks

[@cardanolovelace5187]

Im so happy for Finland! i always had an affinity towards them for some reason :) best of luck ~ from the opposite of Finland, Kuwait xD

[@stefanriemann7074]

Best of luck from Germany to Finland at Euro 2020

[@jankk0bee653]

Thanks mate, and thinking that no need to wish luck to your national team, ..because Germany is in the fakin top of the world all the time :D but still .. maybe we meet in the Euro Final after the FINNS surprises them all :D

[@stefanriemann7074]

@@jankk0bee653 why Not we will See

[@evolution5563]

Good luck on Euro from Czech Republic!

[@breenirwin2356]

Great good new story From a small nation like Finland who have been through alot throughout history Such as Ww2 fighting the Soviets and germans Strike me as proud people 5mill much like my own homeland Ireland Nordic countries seem to be doing extremely well of late. The grassroots projects are working

[@beanhead4703]

Even as an english lad i want finland to win 😂

[@Jaimefumer13]

This is *high quality* reportage. It shows, IMHO, the bright side of football. Thank you for sharing.

[@-locke-6051]

Delighted to see Finland qualify for the first time. Thank you for making this video. Great stuff.

[@salvatorevulcano3655]

1:35 PULLONSOITTAJA TÄÄ ÄIJÄ ON LEGENDA

[@RossWasTaken]

I went to finland before apartment had sauna, very good thanks finland suomi perkele 10/10 gl in euros xxxx

[@derkaiser420]

I am always excited as a football fan to watch new teams rise up. My friend is a Finn and went crazy when they qualified. Most Nordic countries beside Sweden were usually pretty dismal in football but I think the rise of Iceland woke them up. Nice to see Finland rise up, now all you need is Norway to wake up. Good luck, cheers from the USA!

[@aaro.k7574]

Awesome video, greetings from Finland!

[@useri69]

Great video, I think the culture around football is really changing in our home country. More great players to come as these kids will grow up. Most of all, kiitos Huuhkajat

[@dwkickoff]

Thanks useri69! Spread the word!

[@mixalispetridis8087]

Congrats from Greece

[@drippystaff]

Congratulations, little brother! 🇫🇮🇸🇪

[@dainissondors1772]

Don' t even try. you will not get back Aaland islands. ;)

[@villekyllonen8941]

Thanks

[@user-ln4yj7ue1s]

Go Finland, rock the euro! Hakkaa päälle!

[@janozbolaz]

Riven johdolla me mennään finaaliin

[@xooperz]

siinä uus hittibiisi

[@anttiantti92]

marjoi

[@alfredkarlsson6211]

Mumun trolet

[@man123killed]

Vuoden kuluttua vasta 😔

[@iwnlseve7031]

Enpä usko

[@michaelstrickland4935]

Good luck Finland from Poland 🇵🇱🇫🇮

[@qBeYcarpet]

Upbeat is the last word I would use to describe Finns :D

[@kfoalbfkdkd5302]

Absolutely brilliant work boys keep it up

[@whogoesthere4451]

Being a supporter of a rather small club, its nice to see one of our (until 3 days ago) players be in a national team. I have hope that finland will preform great.

[@olavipohjalainen4483]

This video is really good and totally underrated.....

[@KenMarquezdj]

one of the best football channels on youtube!

[@maciejbednarski9114]

good luck from Poland!😊

[@PANKAJKUMAR-ih9mt]

U put your whole heart for videos Superb quality work. Keep going

[@dwkickoff]

Thanks a lot Pankaj Kumar!

[@RoTecku]

Finally back to the proper content, well done.

[@isaacdharewal8702]

This Chanel is so underrated

[@dwkickoff]

Thanks, Isaac. Spread the word...

[@datispeace]

Rising star of European football.

[@miokuroki4097]

Finally. I love you (Russia, Karelia Republic). You can do it. Finns are invincible, you just need the faith. I'm so glad you're going to play your games in Saints-Petersburg! All finns must support the team and you will prevail. Please, dear Finns. Visit SPB this summer and support your team. You have really good opportunity this year!

[@techdome9152]

Amazing video! Love the storyline. Maybe you should make one about Macedonia, their first major tournament too..

[@ericwang1036]

Football is my favorite sports therefore I do hope Finland can do well in their future matches

[@Roscoe.P.Coldchain]

I will now be supporting my home country England and also I will now be supporting Finland after watching the fans starting the chant Christian was a heart warming moment in football I will never forget..I am a Leeds United season ticket holder and have witnessed some horrible scenes over the last 40 years in English football but this was a lesson to us all..The humanity the Finnish players and staff and fans showed was amazing....Salute ☮️❤️

[@lefterisdafermos4448]

Please do what we did 16 years ago 🇬🇷💙🇫🇮

[@Jokuranfon]

Ofc we will do it

[@regzy3441]

Congrats from Croatia,see you in 2021 euro 🇭🇷🇫🇮

[@dwkickoff]

ha, do you think UEFA will relent and start calling it Euro 2021? We do...

[@Stonedead1991]

Rivelution is real. Thank you for capturing it.

[@Roscoe.P.Coldchain]

❤️from England your team has been brilliant I hope they go all the way to the final against England of course haha ...Brilliant ☮️

[@teamvichy1211]

Still waiting for that tournament...

[@Framboisier2040]

Did i just heard the "Lakad matatag" at 11:32 min spammed during TI8 Dota2? Cheers from France, I hope your nation have a good run as well!

[@gamingnerdreactshater7991]

well done and good luck finland🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🇫🇮

[@MommyRoach]

I have a feeling that Finland is going to do the same in 2020 as Iceland in 2016

[@bungeko]

Nice. Can't wait for this golden generation of Suomi in Euro 2020.

[@realharrykane2063]

Go watch video of Finland vs Hungary ’98 match. That last goal cost us our last tournament place. That was ”potkupallo”

[@roberw1912]

1-0 win against Denmark is a strong first step to the next stage. Good luck. Wales never qualified for anything since 1958 and in 2016 they made the semis.

[@yeetusfetus4503]

Lathi, juujuu

[@dwkickoff]

😳

[@TuukkaNisonen]

DW Kick off! It is Lahti!

[@sam2725]

Starting off well!

[@alexfournier8574]

so good

[@TeenVegans]

Nice vid

[@KristianVirtanen]

High quality stuff folks, thanks. And by the way, we went to euro2020 :D

[@imantlo]

Iceland 2016 = (Probably) Finland 2020

[@Shinpath]

Mexican-Finnish guy will be cheering you on in Shanghai China.

[@kea4649]

cool！

[@suomenkanukki1028]

Ahh yeah, I also know some Mexifinns 👍

[@stefanriemann7074]

Welcome Finland Finally

[@MaxP1111]

Congratulations to Suomi from Ukraine!

[@pedem13]

I really wish the best of luck to Finland. I hope the belgian analyst are not going to be disrespectful against your team like they always do with new teams.

[@esefransman8833]

Influence of making it to euro 2020 is amazing so many new future talent will start football only because these heroes made football much much bigger than it was before.

[@peanuts4723]

YESSSSSS VIDEO ABOUT US

[@teamvichy1211]

Dream come true

[@viktorandersson5067]

Go Finland!

[@wowbruh2511]

Finland good at hockey. Now will be good at football

In Finland when you play football without strategy & tactics stupidly, the coach calls is "kick ball". When you play it right, then it's football.

[@saskia9996]

Its LAHTI not LATHI. But good video

[@dwkickoff]

Olen pahoillani! Emme halunneet sitä

[@herrahuu3794]

@@dwkickoff Älä huoli, kukaan muukaan ei halua Lahtea.

[@nikoilves3182]

@@herrahuu3794 😂

[@LS_1909]

Good luck brothers!🇩🇪🤝🇫🇮

[@Mister-Christer]

Till torget!! 🇫🇮🇫🇮

[@juhonikolai7935]

15.11.2019

[@badtortoise3338]

Good LUCK Finland....Think they could actually do some damage.

[@benedicte.7355]

I want to see someday Finland play in the FIFA World Cup. Come on Huuhkajat, 2026 FIFA World Cup USCAMX!

[@jellene4eva]

The sports journalist is from House Härkönen!

[@user-gq6rv5wp2p]

Looks like Russia will play vs Finland in the Cup. And I hope there will be no clashes involving ultras, hooligans and other provocations. I once witnessed a fight between Russian and Finnish supporters and that looked gruesome. Footbal is a feast the atmosphere must be warm. I hope next time we exchange friendly talks and hugs, not punches and kicks.

[@mrconfusion87]

Hopefully the Russian and Finnish fans will be singing songs and swigging beer together in a jovial atmosphere! If they want to inflict aggression on each other, they should just take it to a hockey rink instead! 🤣

[@user-gq6rv5wp2p]

@@mrconfusion87 I would drink some beer with Finnish neighbours)

[@thepuki9574]

❤

[@tehantuomela3120]

vitun kova video

[@Mestari.]

Riven johdolla kisoihi💪