Brighton & Hove Albion duo amongst four English-based players included in Finland squad

Brighton & Hove Albion duo Emma Koivisto and Nora Heroum have been called into the Finland squad for this month’s UEFA Women’s EURO 2022 qualifying matches against Portugal and Cyprus.

Anna Signeul’s side are assured of at least second place in their group with two games left to play. Portugal are Finland’s only challengers for automatic qualification therefore this month’s meeting between the two sides holds huge importance.

Head coach Signeul today named her 25-player squad for her side’s upcoming fixtures with Brighton & Hove Albion duo Koivisto and Heroum being selected in the group. Defender Koivisto only joined The Seagulls last week but she put in a strong performance on her Albion debut as they stunned Barclays FA Women’s Super League champions Chelsea at Kingsmeadow on Sunday.

Koivisto and Heroum are joined in the Finnish squad by two other English-based players. Veteran Everton goalkeeper Tinja-Riikka Korpela also makes the cut as she looks to add to her 91 senior international caps while London City Lionesses forward Juliette Kemppi has also been included.

Finland host Portugal in that potentially group-defining fixture at the Bolt Arena in Helsinki on Friday 19 February before Signeul takes her side to Larnaca for the nation’s final fixture against Cyprus in four days later.