San Marino vs Finland: what you need to know before the game
European brand VivatBet has prepared a preview of our national team’s first match in the new UEFA Nations League campaign.
How Finland has changed
Two years ago, our team played in League B of the UEFA Nations League, the competition’s second tier, where it faced England, Greece, and the Republic of Ireland. Unfortunately, Huuhkajat lost all six matches, conceded 13 goals, and scored only twice. They finished bottom of the group and were relegated to League C.
The poor results led to a managerial change. Markku Kanerva, who had been in charge of Finland since 2016, was replaced by Jacob Friis from Denmark. Before taking over the national team, Friis had worked with clubs and Denmark’s women’s U19 side, but the World Cup qualifiers showed that he was capable of leading Finland. Huuhkajat finished third in their group and missed out on the Mundial, but recorded three wins, including an impressive one over Poland.
Friis made several important changes. Under Kanerva, Finland tended to attack through the middle, while under the Dane, they began building attacks down the flanks. This allowed the wingers to showcase their strengths. Benjamin Källman scored three goals in World Cup qualifying, while Oliver Antman contributed one goal and two assists.
Friis is also working to rejuvenate the squad, calling up seven U21 internationals for the match against Poland. At the same time, Finland retain a core of experienced players. Thirty-six-year-old captain Lukas Hrádecký remains the first-choice goalkeeper, Kaan Kairinen is a key figure in central midfield, and Joel Pohjanpalo is the starting center forward.
This balance of experience and youth could be one of the key factors in a successful UEFA Nations League campaign, with Finland set to face Albania, Belarus, and San Marino as they aim for promotion back to League B.
What you need to know about upcoming opponent
The previous edition was an extraordinary success for San Marino. The team recorded its first-ever competitive victory, finished with seven points, and won a group that also included Gibraltar and Liechtenstein. San Marino will now play in League C for the first time.
The main reasons behind San Marino’s progress have been a focus on young players, infrastructure development, and the arrival of Italian coach Roberto Cevoli, who has helped instill greater motivation and belief in the team. With every game, they are becoming more confident and looking less like one of European football’s traditional minnows.
When and where will the match take place?
The fixture will be played on Saturday, September 26, at San Marino Stadium in Serravalle. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. Finnish time.
Odds for the match
For those who regularly watch football and place VivatBet sports bets, it is clear that Finland are the favorites in this clash. The odds on a win for Jacob Friis’s side are 1.07. A draw is priced at 11, while a San Marino win is 29.
Head-to-head statistics
Previous meetings suggest our national team has a strong chance of winning. Finland have won all six matches, with an aggregate score of 23–2. However, their most recent meeting in November 2023 was much closer: Huuhkajat edged San Marino 2–1.
Don’t miss this upcoming clash and support our team with VivatBet!
