Euro 2025 | Summanen provides assist in opening win for Finland

Eveliina Summanen assisted the winner as Finland got off to the perfect start in the Euro 2025 curtain raiser with a 1-0 victory over Iceland on Wednesday.

The midfielder, who was representing her nation at her second major international tournament, swept the ball out wide to Katariina Kosola on the left and she curled home into the top right corner to give Finland the lead in the 70th minute – and ultimately that was enough to secure an opening win in Group A.

Having been named in the starting XI in the clash at Stockhorn Arena, Eveliina was also involved in a pivotal point in the match as, in the 57th minute, a late stamp on the 27-year-old’s ankle from Hildur Atonsdottir saw her shown a second yellow card and Iceland were down to 10 players for remaining 33 minutes of the game.

Producing a strong performance in midfield, Eveliina completed 95 minutes before making way for Maaria Roth in stoppage-time, as Finland recorded their first win in the tournament since 2009 – ending an eight-match winless run. Olga Ahtinen was an unused substitute.

Marko Saloranta’s side will now turn their attention to their next match against Norway on Sunday (6 July) before facing hosts Switzerland on Thursday 10 July in their final group game.