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Chilufya, Sakala see off Portugal

For Finland, it was 33rd time lucky.

On 15 November 2019, at long last – and after 32 failed qualifying campaigns spread across nine decades – the Huuhkajat (Eagle Owls) finally reached a major tournament. For Finland, it was 33rd time lucky.

It had been a long time coming, and not everyone believed the day would arrive. “I’ve had so many people over the years, including lots here in Finland, telling me we would never qualify,” said Markku Kanerva, the team’s coach.

But despite the doubts and despair of the demoralising decades that came before, and the envious glances towards their Nordic neighbours, the Finns have finally made it. And the euphoria at reaching UEFA EURO 2020 proved worth the wait.

With that first major tournament now glistening on the horizon, Kanerva spoke to us about the secrets to his success and the challenges that lie ahead.

On 15 November 2019, at long last – and after 32 failed qualifying campaigns spread across nine decades – Finland finally reached a major tournament. It was 33rd time lucky.

It had been a long time coming, and not everyone believed the day would arrive. “I’ve had so many people over the years, including lots here in Finland, telling me we would never qualify,” said Markku Kanerva, the team’s coach.

But despite the doubts and despair of the demoralising decades that came before, and the envious glances towards their Nordic neighbours, the Finns have finally made it. And the euphoria at reaching UEFA EURO 2020 proved worth the wait.

With that first major tournament now glistening on the horizon, Kanerva spoke to us about the secrets to his success and the challenges that lie ahead.

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