Preview Of Euro 2020, Finland Vs Belgium: Big Gulf Separates The Two Teams, Huuhkajat Hopes To Create A Surprise

Finland national team training session (Twitter @euro2020)

JAKARTA - The Finnish national team hopes to create a surprise against Belgium when the two teams play the final Euro 2020 Group B match in Saint Petersburg, Russia, Monday local time (Tuesday WIB).

The head coach of the team nicknamed Huuhkajat, Markku Kanerva admits that there is a big gap between his team and Belgium, which is currently the world's number one team according to FIFA.

However, he hopes to repeat the positive results of his early days as Finland coach by holding Belgium 1-1 on June 1, 2016 in a friendly.

Moreover, a draw would likely be enough for Finland to qualify for the last 16, either as runners-up in Group B and as one of the four best third-placed teams in the tournament.

"A draw might be enough for us to qualify," Kanerva said.

"When I started as head coach in Finland, one of the first games was a friendly against Belgium and we drew," he added.

Even if they are able to create a bigger surprise by beating Belgium, Finland can win Group B status.

"We still have a chance to win this group, the decision is in our hands," said Kanerva.

"The most important thing is that we stay focused on the things we can control, our own game," he added.

Surprising results against big teams are not something that Finland rarely achieves, considering that they also beat France - who won the 2018 World Cup - 2-0 in a friendly in November last year.

"Now that we are facing the number one team in the world, the experience against France gives an idea of how to beat the big teams," concluded Kanerva.