In a surprise move, Tottenham Hotspur striker Dominic Solanke has been called up to the England squad for the upcoming Nations League games against Greece and Finland. This comes seven years after making his only previous senior appearance for the Three Lions. Solanke, who has been in impressive form for Spurs since his move from Bournemouth, will join a star-studded squad that includes the likes of Harry Kane and Raheem Sterling. Fans will be eagerly watching to see if the young striker can make his mark on the international stage once again.
The scorching temperatures in Finland have officially reached record-breaking levels this year. The Finnish Meteorological Institute (FMI) announced that on Thursday, for the 66th time in 2021, temperatures surpassed 25 degrees Celsius, breaking the country's previous record of 65 hot days in 2002. The FMI, which has been tracking heat data since 1961, reported that the heat wave is expected to continue and temperatures are projected to hit 25 degrees in some areas on Friday and possibly Saturday. This comes after a report from the FMI in July, which revealed that temperatures in central and northern parts of Finland were unusually high.
Finland's prime minister has announced that the damage to an underwater natural gas pipeline connecting the country to Estonia was likely caused by sabotage and is being investigated by both countries. The suspicion falls on Russian involvement as retaliation for Finland's recent inclusion in NATO. While the damage is expected to take months to repair, the prime minister reassured that there are alternative sources of gas to ensure Finland's energy security is not at risk.
Indian javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra secures the top spot on the podium at the Paavo Nurmi Games 2024 in Turku, Finland. Chopra, the current world and Olympic champion, logged a best throw of 85.97m in his third attempt, beating Finland's Toni Keranen and Oliver Helander who won the silver and bronze medals respectively. This win marks an important step for Chopra as he aims to defend his crown at the upcoming Paris 2024 Olympics.
World champion and Olympic gold medalist Neeraj Chopra is dominating the men's javelin throw event with an 85.97m throw at the Paavo Nurmi Games 2024 in Turku, Finland. After missing the Ostrava Golden Spike meet, Neeraj is back in action and facing tough competition from athletes like Anderson Peters, Keshorn Walcott, Oliver Helander, and Max Dehning - the youngest player to hit the 90m mark. This is Neeraj's first time competing at this event since securing second place in 2022.
Christian Eriksen, who had collapsed during a Euro game against Finland in Copenhagen, made a triumphant comeback in the European Championship by scoring a goal for Denmark against Slovenia. Despite his recent health scare, the midfielder showed no signs of slowing down as he struck past the goalkeeper, causing an explosion of joy among Danish fans. This marked Eriksen's first match in the tournament since his collapse, making it a truly unforgettable moment.
Despite a nervy end to the game, Portugal proved their strength in depth with a 4-2 victory over Finland in their first warm-up match for the upcoming European Championship. The Selecao ran the proceedings in the first half, with Ruben Dias and Diogo Jota finding the net. Finland's top goalscorer Teemu Pukki provided some hope for his side with two goals, but Bruno Fernandes' brace ensured Portugal's victory.
Portugal, with a perfect record in qualifying, will face Finland in an international friendly as part of their preparations for Euro 2024. While Portugal has a dominant history against Finland, the last five encounters have been closely contested. Finland, aiming to challenge Portugal and improve their record, will be without a spot at the Euros this time around. Fans can expect to see Cristiano Ronaldo, still eager for more at 39 years old, in the starting lineup with a potential 207th cap for Portugal.
A group of Finnish fans have sparked controversy and stirred up national pride by erecting a billboard with a clever twist on an iconic Welsh flag in the center of Cardiff, ahead of a highly anticipated football match between Wales and Finland. The billboard, which reads "Suomi. Sisu. Sauna." in reference to Finland's strength and heritage, serves as a playful jab at Welsh fans and adds a new layer of excitement to the upcoming game.
Despite ongoing political strikes and the closure of checkpoints on the Russian border, Finland continues to allow imports of critical raw materials such as nickel and fertilisers from Russia. These materials play a crucial role in global food security and the green transition, but are not currently included in the EU's sanctions on Russia. The flow of Russian nickel and fertilisers into Finland highlights the complexities of international trade and the influence of wealthy oligarchs like Vladimir Potanin, who remains unimpacted by EU sanctions.