Finland have beaten Lichtenstein 3-0 to qualify for next summer’s European Championships, the first time that the Finns have ever qualified for a major tournament.
There was, of course, a direct involvement for Norwich striker, Teem Pukki with the goat bagging two goals on the night.
Pukki is still in the form of his life having scored six Premier League goals, so far, and tonight’s brace means that his combined league and international record this season stands at 12 goals in 17 matches.
There is little doubt what qualification means for the Finnish nation as this tweet shows.
We have dreamt of THIS since we first attended the 1938 WC Qualifiers.
THE DREAM OF GENERATIONS has come true and next summer the whole Finland will party like NEVER before.
Welcome to follow the #Huuhkajat journey to #EURO2020 FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER!!!!!! 🦉🔥⚽⚽⚽ pic.twitter.com/FVcRwaHqe3
— Huuhkajat (@Huuhkajat) November 15, 2019
🎉 History makers! They've done it! Finland have qualified for their first ever major tournament! Teemu scored two and it's going to be some Pukki Party tonight! 🕺 #ncfc https://t.co/aESV0GqrBn
— Norwich City FC (@NorwichCityFC) November 15, 2019
That face when you book your country's place in a major tournament next summer! 😍 #ncfc pic.twitter.com/b6VubwOWQ8
— Norwich City FC (@NorwichCityFC) November 15, 2019
The Finns have qualified in second place in Group J behind leaders and group winners Italy and qualification is just the start of the excitement to come for a nation of just 5.5 million people.
There will first be the tournament group draw, when the prospect of taking on some of Europe’s football superpowers will become very real and that’s before a ball is even kicked.
Finland look set to become every Canary fan’s second team.
Congratulations guys!
OTBC