Finland and Russia Battle in Helsinki

June 10th, 2009 | by: nick |

Hello to all Russia fans. I am back and ready to blog again after an eight month absence. Today is a crucial match between Finland and Russia in Helsinki. Here are just a few of my thoughts.

Russia go into this game having won four out of five of their qualifying matches. I do have to say though I was not impressed with Russia’s performance against Azerbaijan and Liechtenstein. The scores could have easily been 3-0 in both games. But Russia go into this game having plenty of momentum with most squad members having good seasons at their clubs.

Hiddink will probably field a mixed lineup. He is likely to use a 4-4-2 or a 4-4-1-1 in order to maintain control of the midfield. Akinfeev in goal along with Ignashevich and Aleksi Berezutski in front of him. I am concerned that right-back Aleksandr Anyukov is absent but Vasili Berezutski will probably fill in. Zhirkov will probably start as a left-back. The midfield will probably consist of Zyrianov, Semshov, Semak and Denisov. There may room for newcomer Pavel Mamaev who could play in the central midfield. Bystrov could also play his usual right-wing position. Up front Hiddink will probably pair Arshavin with Kerzhakov, Pogrebnyak or Pavlyuchenko. I think all four forwards will provide Russia with deadly firepower.

Finland look to rely on strikers Jonatan Johansson and Mikael Forssell to deliver. Both had an outstanding game against Liechtenstein. Stuart Baxter is likely to use the a similar formation and lineup from last week. Finland however had mixed results in their recent fixtures having won just two of five wins. As well as wining three of their five qualifying matches.

Think this match will be very tight. Finland are a formidable opponent when playing at home. Russia will be satisfied with a draw or win to keep second place in the group.

My Prediction: FIN 1-1 RUS

I look forward to reading your comments.

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Comments

By yevy | June 10th, 2009 at 8:05 pm

good to have you back Nick

Posted from United States

By outstanding? | June 13th, 2009 at 7:38 pm

“good to have you back Nick”, even though that Fin-Rus prediction sucked bigtime. You went for the same 1-1 score after the debacle in Moscow? And where on earth did you get the idea Forssell had an “outstanding game against Liechtenstein”? I really must have been watching a match in a parallel universe. Mikael couldn’t score in a room full of nymphomaniacs, and the fact that he had his name on the scoresheet (once, with a nudge) belies the observation that he also missed three or four clear chances he would have buried a few years ago. Mind you, he WAS playing alone up front – against Liechtenstein, of all people! Johansson took his goal smartly, but all the work was done by Roman Eremenko. Russia were on a different planet – they are a useful side. The Finns now need to rebuild: a good many of their older players are considering withdrawal from international duties. The team’s chances of qualification are minimal at best, and we can expect – and hope for – some new blood in the remaining four games.

By Nick | June 13th, 2009 at 9:37 pm

Finland are not an easy team. The drew 3-3 against Germany at home. I was not expecting Russia to win so easily in Moscow. More over Forssell and Johansson along with Eremenko were providing momentum and did have an outstanding game compared to the center-backs who could not neutralize Liechtenstein’s threat. Also I was expecting Finland to put up more of a fight against Russia since this was a key game in the group. I was not expecting Russia to win. This is only one out of a many blogs which discuss this subject.

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By outstanding? | June 14th, 2009 at 3:39 pm

Both Eremenkos played well enough in the Liechtenstein game, and Roman was the ONLY Finnish player aside from substitute Niklas Moisander to emerge with any credit against Russia. One needs also to bear in mind that whilst the Finns gave the Germans a nasty shock, they have shipped nine (count’ em) goals against the big teams in the group. This is not the way to go. I was in the stadium and saw all three of the games in question, and the dodgy 1-0 win over the Azeris as well, and the sad truth is that the team has reached journey’s end: a large number of players are past their sell-by date and are considering their future. If Finland do not get a result in Baku, or alternatively if Russia and Germany keep winning and then draw their game in Moscow, Stuart Baxter will feel pressure to shake things up quite a bit and bring new faces in to rebuild for the future. A lot of names could go, especially if the Under-21 side can perform adequately in the European Championships next week…

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