Finland Women

Finland have not lifted a major trophy in women's football, and the current side is judged against a peak that is now two decades old. The semi-final run at UEFA Women's Euro 2005 remains the reference point: a win over Denmark, a draw with Sweden, then a loss to Germany, good enough for third place and a FIFA ranking of 14th that September, still the highest the team has reached.

The name Helmarit did not exist for most of the team's history. It was coined during the 2009 European Championship, which Finland hosted, when a morning television programme on YLE asked viewers to suggest a nickname. The team itself dates to 1973, when it played its first match, a goalless draw with Sweden in Mariehamn.

Two players carry the record books. Linda Sällström won 155 caps and scored 64 goals between 2007 and 2019, the most appearances by any Finnish international. Anne Mäkinen, with 118 caps, was named the best player of the 2005 tournament.

Bolt Arena in Helsinki, known as Finnair Stadium and later Sonera Stadium under previous sponsorship deals, holds just under 10,800 and serves as the main home ground, though Finland have also played in Turku and Tampere.

Sweden supply the fixture with the longest memory, going back to that first meeting in 1973, and remain the yardstick Finnish football measures itself against in the women's game.