Finland women's national football team

The Finland women's national football team (Finnish: Suomen naisten jalkapallomaajoukkue, Swedish: Finlands damlandslag i fotboll), also known as nickname The Boreal Owls (Finnish: Helmarit), represents Finland in international women's football. The team, controlled by the Football Association of Finland (SPL/FBF), reached the semi-finals of the 2005 European Championship, surprising the female football world having drawn with Sweden and beaten Denmark before losing to Germany in the semifinals. Finland hosted the 2009 European Championship.

Finland

Nickname	Helmarit (the Boreal Owls)
Association	Football Association of Finland (Suomen Palloliitto)
Confederation	UEFA (Europe)
Head coach	Marko Saloranta
Captain	Eva Nyström
Most caps	Linda Sällström (157)
Top scorer	Linda Sällström (64)
FIFA code	FIN
First colours Second colours
FIFA ranking
Current	24 2 (16 June 2026)
Highest	14 (September 2005)
Lowest	32 (March 2019)
First international
Finland 0–0 Sweden (Mariehamn, Finland; 25 August 1973)
Biggest win
Bulgaria 0–8 Finland (Lovech, Bulgaria; 21 August 2014) Finland 8–0 Hungary (Larnaca, Cyprus; 19 February 2023)
Biggest defeat
Denmark 9–0 Finland (Vejen, Denmark; 26 July 1975)
European Championship
Appearances	5 (first in 2005)
Best result	Semi-finals (2005)

The Finnish team has had a few players that are considered to be among the best in women's football, such as Laura Österberg Kalmari, Sanna Valkonen and Anne Mäkinen.

As of April 2026, the team is ranked 26th in the FIFA world ranking.

History

The beginning

The Finland women's national football team played its first international match in 1973 against Sweden. The game was played in Mariehamn, Åland. The national teams greatest acheievement is reaching the semi finals in Euro 2005.

Team image

Nicknames

The Finland women's national football team has been known or nicknamed as the "Helmarit (the Boreal Owls)".

Results and fixtures

The following is a list of match results in the last 12 months, as well as any future matches that have been scheduled.

Legend

  Win   Draw   Loss   Fixture

2025

Netherlands v Finland

26 June Friendly	Netherlands	2–1	Finland	Leeuwarden
20:00	Miedema 11', 30'		Siren 90+3'	Stadium: Kooi Stadion

Iceland v Finland

2 July Euro 2025 Group stage	Iceland	0–1	Finland	Thun, Switzerland
18:00			Kosola 70'	Stadium: Stockhorn Arena Attendance: 7,683 Referee: Katalin Kulcsar

Norway v Finland

6 July Euro 2025 GS	Norway	2–1	Finland	Sion, Switzerland
18:00 UTC+2	Nyström 3' (o.g.) Graham Hansen 84'	Report	Sevenius 32'	Stadium: Stade de Tourbillon Attendance: 7,376 Referee: Silvia Gasperotti (Italy)

Finland v Switzerland

10 July Euro 2025 GS	Finland	1–1	Switzerland	Geneva, Switzerland
21:00	Kuikka 79' (pen.)	Report	Xhemaili 90+2'	Stadium: Stade de Genève Attendance: 26,388 Referee: Stéphanie Frappart (France)

Finland v Denmark

24 October 2025 Nations League Play-offs	Finland	1–6	Denmark	Tampere
19:00 UTC+3	Lindström 90'	Report	Snerle 10' Svava 39' Harder 45+2', 68' S. Holmgaard 86', 90+4'	Stadium: Tammelan Stadion Attendance: 6,474 Referee: Désirée Grundbacher (Switzerland)

Denmark v Finland

28 October 2025 Nations League Play-offs	Denmark	2–0	Finland	Copenhagen
18:00 UTC+2	Kühl 73' Harder 85' (pen.)	Report		Stadium: Parken Stadium Attendance: 14,475 Referee: Marta Huerta de Aza (Spain)

Finland v Austria

27 November Friendly	Finland	1–1	Austria	Arcos de la Frontera, Spain
19:00				Stadium: Estadio Antonio Gallardo

Finland v Belgium

1 December Friendly	Finland	1–1	Belgium	Sanlúcar de Barrameda, Spain
19:00	Sevenius 34'		Janssens 12'	Stadium: Estadio El Pamar

2026

Portugal v Finland

Finland v Latvia

7 March 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup qualification	Finland	3–1	Latvia	Helsinki
13:30 (14:30 UTC+2)	Öling 26', 56' Sevenius 65'	Report (FIFA) Report (UEFA)	Andersone 90+3'	Stadium: Helsinki Football Stadium Attendance: 2,471 Referee: Tatyana Sorokopudova (Kazakhstan)

Finland v Slovakia

14 April 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup qualification	Finland	4–2	Slovakia	Helsinki
17:30 (18:30 UTC+3)	Kosola 4' Engman 22' P. Nyström 67' E. Nyström 75'	Report (FIFA) Report (UEFA)	Fabová 35' Hmírová 71' (pen.)	Stadium: Helsinki Football Stadium Attendance: 4,287 Referee: Kirsty Dowle (England)

Latvia v Finland

18 April 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup qualification	Latvia	0–1	Finland	Riga, Latvia
19:00 (20:00 UTC+3)		Report (FIFA) Report (UEFA)	Lindström 66'	Stadium: Daugava Stadium Attendance: 3,554 Referee: Lovisa Johansson (Sweden)

Slovakia v Finland

Finland v Portugal

Coaching staff

Current coaching staff

As of October 2024

• Head coach: Marko Saloranta
• Assistant coaches: Jari Väisänen, Liisa-Maija Rautio
• Goalkeeping coach: Tommy Nordenswan
• Fitness coach: Eero Savolainen
• Psychological coach: Vacant
• Doctor: Pippa Laukka
• Physiotherapists: Markus Rosenblad, Sannakaisa Vastamäki
• Kit managers: Piia Karonen, Alban Saliko
• Video Analyst: Jouko Kylmäoja
• Team managers: Outi Saarinen, Sanna Pirhonen
• Press officers: Eveliina Parikka, Jyri Sulander
• Media officer: Taru Nyholm

Manager history

See also: Category:Finland women's national football team managers

As of 2 December 2025

Tenure	Coach	Record
G	W	D	L	Win %
1973–77	Juhani Nirkkonen	12	1	1	10	008.33
1978	Simo Syrjävaara	3	1	1	1	033.33
1979–89	Kaj Österberg	44	13	12	19	029.55
1989–92	Jyrki Nieminen	24	3	4	17	012.50
1993–96	Nils Suomalainen	24	4	5	15	016.67
1996–00	Reima Kokko	46	11	3	32	023.91
2001–09	Michael Käld	107	35	22	50	032.71
2010–16	Andrée Jeglertz	76	27	13	36	035.53
2017	Marko Saloranta	6	2	0	4	033.33
2017–2022	Anna Signeul	47	19	11	17	040.43
2022–	Marko Saloranta	43	21	11	11	048.84

Players

Current squad

The following players were called up for the 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup qualification matches against Slovakia and Portugal on 5 and 9 June 2026, respectively. 

Caps and goals correct as of 9 June 2026, after the match against Portugal. 

No.	Pos.	Player	Date of birth (age)	Caps	Goals	Club
1	1GK	Anna Koivunen	(1999-11-28) 28 November 1999	14	0	Djurgården
12	1GK	Anna Tamminen	(1994-10-30) 30 October 1994	16	0	Newcastle United
23	1GK	Katriina Talaslahti	(2000-09-21) 21 September 2000	6	0	Dijon
2	2DF	Jasmin Mansaray	(2004-12-27) 27 December 2004	1	0	LSK Kvinner
3	2DF	Eva Nyström (captain)	(1999-11-29) 29 November 1999	42	4	West Ham United
5	2DF	Emma Koivisto	(1994-09-25) 25 September 1994	121	8	AC Milan
6	2DF	Joanna Tynnilä	(2001-09-01) 1 September 2001	29	0	Brann
10	2DF	Emmi Siren	(2001-02-23) 23 February 2001	12	0	Dijon
14	2DF	Julia Tunturi	(1996-04-25) 25 April 1996	30	0	Vittsjö
16	2DF	Nea Lehtola	(1998-10-24) 24 October 1998	26	5	Brann
22	2DF	Helmi Raijas	(2005-05-11) 11 May 2005	5	0	Växjö
4	3MF	Ria Öling	(1994-09-15) 15 September 1994	104	134	Rosengård
7	3MF	Adelina Engman	(1994-10-11) 11 October 1994	103	13	IF Brommapojkarna
8	3MF	Olga Ahtinen	(1997-08-15) 15 August 1997	82	4	Tottenham Hotspur
9	3MF	Katariina Kosola	(2001-02-24) 24 February 2001	34	5	Malmö FF
9	3MF	Aada Nurmi	(2003-03-12) 12 March 2003	1	0	KuPS
11	3MF	Vilma Koivisto	(2002-11-21) 21 November 2002	18	1	Hammarby
13	3MF	Oona Siren	(2001-02-23) 23 February 2001	34	1	West Ham United
15	3MF	Emma Peuhkurinen	(1999-11-30) 30 November 1999	12	0	Brann
20	3MF	Eveliina Summanen	(1998-05-29) 29 May 1998	85	14	Tottenham Hotspur
17	4FW	Sanni Franssi	(1995-03-19) 19 March 1995	101	7	London City Lionesses
18	4FW	Paulina Nyström	(2000-08-17) 17 August 2000	6	1	Häcken
19	4FW	Lotta Lindström	(2004-09-10) 10 September 2004	14	4	Birmingham City
21	4FW	Oona Sevenius	(2004-04-28) 28 April 2004	38	9	Newcastle United

Recent call-ups

The following players have also been called up to the squad within the past 12 months.

Pos.	Player	Date of birth (age)	Caps	Goals	Club	Latest call-up
GK	Milla-Maj Majasaari	(1999-10-15) 15 October 1999	2	0	Fortuna Hjørring	v. Belgium, 1 December 2025
GK	Tinja-Riikka Korpela RET	(1986-05-05) 5 May 1986	128	0	Servette	2025 UEFA Women's Euro
DF	Maaria Roth PRE	(1997-06-13) 13 June 1997	9	0	HJK	v. Slovakia, 14 April 2026
DF	Nanne Ruuskanen	(2001-11-19) 19 November 2001	2	0	Djurgården	v. Belgium, 1 December 2025
DF	Natalia Kuikka	(1995-12-01) 1 December 1995	102	5	Chicago Red Stars	2025 UEFA Women's Euro
DF	Nora Heroum	(1994-07-20) 20 July 1994	93	2	HJK	2025 UEFA Women's Euro
MF	Milja Kiviranta	(2006-05-15) 15 May 2006	5	0	HJK	v. Latvia, 7 March 2026
MF	Anni Hartikainen	(2003-08-19) 19 August 2003	14	1	Rosengård	2025 UEFA Women's Euro
FW	Dana Leskinen	(2001-09-22) 22 September 2001	3	0	Parma	v. Belgium, 1 December 2025
FW	Linda Sällström RET	(1988-07-13) 13 July 1988	157	64	Retired	v. Denmark, 28 October 2025
FW	Jutta Rantala	(1999-11-11) 11 November 1999	36	10	Leicester City	v. Denmark, 28 October 2025
FW	Heidi Kollanen	(1997-06-06) 6 June 1997	40	3	Trelleborgs FF	2025 UEFA Women's Euro
FW	Lilli Halttunen ALT	(2005-07-01) 1 July 2005	5	1	Brøndby	2025 UEFA Women's Euro
FW	Aino Kröger ALT	(1998-08-28) 28 August 1998	4	0	KuPS	2025 UEFA Women's Euro
Notes ALT = Alternate INJ = Withdrew due to injury PRE = Preliminary squad / standby RET = Retired from the national team

Records

See also: Category:Finland women's international footballers

As of 9 June 2026 

Players in bold are still active with the national team.

Most appearances

Linda Sällström currently holds the records for both the most appearances and the most goals for the Finland women's national football team.

Rank	Player	Career	Caps	Goals
1	Linda Sällström	2007–2025	157	64
2	Anna Westerlund	2008–2022	147	4
3	Laura Österberg Kalmari	1996–2011	130	41
4	Tinja-Riikka Korpela	2007–2025	128	0
5	Emma Koivisto	2012–present	121	8
	Tuija Hyyrynen	2007–2022	121	3
7	Sanna Valkonen	1995–2009	120	7
8	Anne Mäkinen	1991–2009	118	16
	Jessica Julin	1997–2009		4
10	Emmi Alanen	2010–2025	109	22

Top goalscorers

Rank	Player	Career	Goals	Caps	Avg.
1	Linda Sällström	2007–2025	64	157	0.41
2	Laura Österberg Kalmari	1996–2011	41	130	0.32
3	Sanna Talonen	2004–2014	36	103	0.35
4	Emmi Alanen	2010–2025	22	109	0.20
5	Annica Sjölund	2006–2014	17	69	0.25
6	Anne Mäkinen	1991–2009	16	118	0.14
7	Eveliina Summanen	2017–present	14	85	0.16
	Ria Öling	2015–present	14	104	0.13
9	Adelina Engman	2012–present	13	103	0.13
10	Heidi Kackur	1999–2005	12	48	0.25

Competitive record

FIFA Women's World Cup

FIFA Women's World Cup record										Qualification record
Year	Result	GP	W	D*	L	GF	GA	GD		Round	GP	W	D*	L	GF	GA	GD
1991	Did not qualify									UEFA Euro 1991
1995										UEFA Euro 1995
1999	Lost in Play-offs to Russia									Play-offs	8	3	1	4	8	9	−1
2003	Did not qualify									Group 2	6	1	0	5	4	24	−20
2007										Group 3	8	5	1	2	16	5	+11
2011										Group 7	8	6	1	1	25	6	+19
2015										Group 7	10	7	0	3	27	9	+18
2019										Group 7	8	3	1	4	9	13	−4
2023										Group A	8	3	1	4	14	12	−10
2027	To be determined									Play-offs
2031	To be determined									To be determined
2035	To be determined									To be determined
Total	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-		Round	56	28	5	23	103	78	+13

*Draws include knockout matches decided on penalty kicks.

Olympic Games

Summer Olympics record
Year	Result	GP	W	D	L	GF	GA
1996	Did not qualify
2000
2004
2008
2012
2016
2020
2024	Unable to qualify
2028	To be determined
2032
Total	-	-	-	-	-	-	-

UEFA Women's Championship

Main article: Finland at the UEFA Women's Championship

UEFA Women's Championship record										Qualifying record
Year	Result	P	W	D*	L	GF	GA	GD		Round	P	W	D*	L	GF	GA	GD	P/R	Rnk
1984	Did not qualify									Group 1	6	2	0	4	5	17	−12	–
1987										Group 1	6	1	2	3	2	6	−4
1989										Group 1	6	1	2	3	9	11	−2
1991										Group 3	6	1	2	3	3	6	−3
1993										Group 2	4	0	2	2	3	12	−9
1995										Group 1	6	2	3	1	8	7	+1
1997										Play-offs	8	1	1	6	2	24	−22
2001										Play-offs	8	2	0	6	8	21	−13
2005	Semi-finals	4	1	1	2	5	8	−3		Play-offs	10	4	4	2	16	7	+9	–
2009	Quarter-finals	4	2	0	2	5	5	0		Qualified as host
2013	Group stage	3	0	2	1	1	6	−5		Group 5	8	6	1	1	22	4	+18	–
2017	Did not qualify									Group 2	8	4	1	3	17	12	+5
2022	Group stage	3	0	0	3	1	8	−7		Group E	8	7	1	0	24	2	+22
2025	Group stage	3	1	1	1	3	3	0		Play-offs	10	4	3	3	12	12	0		13th
2029	To be determined									To be determined
Total	5/14	17	4	4	9	15	30	−15		Total	94	35	22	37	131	141	−10	13th

*Draws include knockout matches decided on penalty kicks.

UEFA Women's Nations League

UEFA Women's Nations League record
Season	Division	Group	Pos	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	P/R	Rnk
2023–24	B	2	1st	6	5	1	0	18	2		18th
2025	B	3	2nd	8	3	2	3	9	10	*	23rd
2026	B	3	2nd	6	5	0	1	15	6	*	21st
Total				14	8	1	3	27	12	18th and 23rd

	Promoted at end of season
	No movement at end of season
	Relegated at end of season
*	Participated in promotion/relegation play-offs

Pinatar Cup

Pinatar Cup record
Year	Result	GP	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD
2024	Champions	2	1	1	0	2	1	+1
Total		2	1	1	0	2	1	+1

Cyprus Women's Cup

Cyprus Women's Cup record
Year	Result	GP	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD
2012	7th place	4	1	1	2	6	7	−1
2013	7th place	4	1	1	2	5	6	−1
2014	12th place	4	0	1	3	1	8	−7
2015	9th place	4	1	1	2	3	7	−4
2016	8th place	4	0	1	3	3	8	−5
2018	11th place	4	1	1	2	4	7	−3
2019	9th place	4	1	1	2	3	6	−3
2020	Runners-up	3	1	1	1	7	6	+1
2023	Champions	3	3	0	0	16	1	+15
Total		34	9	8	17	48	56	−8

Algarve Cup

Algarve Cup record
Year	Result	GP	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD
1994	6th place	3	0	0	3	0	9	−9
1995	6th place	4	1	0	3	3	6	−3
1996	8th place	4	0	0	4	1	15	−14
1997	6th place	4	1	0	3	3	8	−5
1998	8th place	4	0	0	4	2	6	−4
1999	8th place	4	0	1	3	1	7	−6
2000	7th place	4	1	0	3	5	8	−3
2001	7th place	4	1	0	3	4	15	−11
2002	7th place	4	1	0	3	4	8	−5
2003	6th place	4	0	2	2	0	6	−6
2004	9th place	4	1	0	3	6	10	−4
2005	10th place	4	0	0	4	3	10	−7
2006	7th place	4	1	1	2	5	12	−7
2007	6th place	4	1	0	3	2	6	−4
2008	8th place	4	0	0	4	1	10	−9
2009	7th place	4	1	0	3	1	5	−4
2010	8th place	4	0	1	3	2	11	−9
2011	10th place	4	0	0	4	2	13	−11
Total

Nordic Football Championship

Women's Nordic Football Championship record
Year	Result	GP	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD
1974	Third place	2	0	0	2	0	6	−6
1975	Third place	2	0	0	2	0	13	−13
1976	Third place	2	0	0	2	1	5	−4
1977	Third place	2	0	0	2	0	5	−5
1978	Third place	3	1	1	1	1	4	−3
1979	Third place	3	1	1	1	2	5	−3
1980	Fourth place	3	0	2	1	1	8	−7
1981	Runners-up	3	1	1	1	3	4	−1
1982	Fourth place	3	0	1	2	1	6	−5
Total	9/9	23	3	6	14	9	56	−47

See also

• Sports in Finland
• Football in Finland
• Football Association of Finland (SPL)
• Finland women's national under-20 football team
• Finland women's national under-17 football team
• Finland national football team

External links

• Official website
• FIFA profile