In a closely contested match played in the heat at the Stadium Kotoriba in Croatia, Finland secured a 3–1 victory over Norway, displaying greater confidence and more clinical finishing in the final third. Norway pushed hard for an equalizer until the very end, but Finland sealed the win with a goal in the final minute of the match.
Finland, under Peter Lundberg, lined up in a 4-3-3 formation. During the build-up phase, they often used chipped passes from the goalkeeper Niki Hasselman to the left-back Eetu Grönlund to escape Norway’s high press (see image below).
They frequently used switches of play from the left centre-back Luka Puhakainen to the right-back Topias Töllinen positioned high up the pitch to break through Norway’s defensive structure. These diagonal passes exploited the weak side, allowing Finland to progress the ball into advanced areas (see image below).
They took the lead in the 18th minute when Leevi Palmula converted a direct free-kick with excellent precision, sending the ball over the defensive wall and into the side of the net.
Under Bjørn Johansen, Norway lined up in a 4-3-3 and employed a coordinated pressing structure. Their wingers led the press, while the midfielders pushed out to engage Finland’s full-backs, seeking to disrupt possession and prevent progression through the wide channels (see image below).
They showed a well-organized defensive structure, transitioning smoothly from a low-block 4-5-1 into a more aggressive 4-3-3 pressing shape whenever Finland played the ball backwards. This coordinated movement allowed them to increase pressure on the ball while maintaining compactness between the lines (see image below).
Norway equalized in the 31st minute through Igor Gosik, who reacted quickest after the goalkeeper saved the initial penalty, converting the rebound into the net.
Finland regained the lead early in the second half when Osagie Okungbowa produced a moment of individual brilliance in the 48th minute. Cutting inside from a wide position, he unleashed a powerful and precise finish beyond the goalkeeper.
The victory was secured deep into stoppage time as Juuso Mäkeläinen burst into the penalty area and finished from close range in the 90+5th minute, sealing a 3–1 win for Finland.
Here the players who stood out in this match:
Leevi Palmula (Finland / HJK), defensive midfielder born 2008.
Leevi Palmula was one of Finland’s standout performers. He opened the scoring with a superb direct free-kick, demonstrating excellent technique and precision. Throughout the match, he controlled the tempo of Finland’s play, dictating possession and linking phases effectively. His influence was further highlighted in the second goal, as he delivered a perfectly weighted first-touch long pass to Osagie Okungbowa, showcasing outstanding awareness, vision, and passing accuracy. Defensively, he was equally effective, displaying good timing and precision in his tackles.
Leevi has the potential to become the first-team playmaker for HJK, where he could take on a key creative role. From there, his development could see him progress to stronger European leagues such as the Eredivisie or the Belgian Pro League, where his technical quality and ability to control the tempo could be further tested and refined.
Luka Puhakainen (Finland / FC KTP), left centre-back born 2008.
Luka delivered an assured performance in possession, consistently playing accurate progressive passes and long-range distributions to advance his team’s attacks. He demonstrated the ability to beat pressure by carrying the ball past opponents, helping his side progress through the thirds. Defensively, he remained composed in one-versus-one situations, using good positioning and timing to slow down opponents in open-field scenarios.
Luka is an interesting profile for top-six clubs in the Danish Superliga and Swedish Allsvenskan in the long term. To reach that level, a step to a Finnish top-division club would be a logical next move, where he can gain regular experience, develop further, and refine his game in a more demanding environment.
Osagie Okungbowa (Finland / SC Freiburg), right winger born 2008.
Osagie is a tall and quick inverted winger who excels at attacking the space in behind with well-timed runs. He scored a superb goal with his left foot, combining power and accuracy after beating his direct opponent inside the penalty area. He is also effective at receiving between the lines, where he uses his physical presence well to shield the ball and protect possession under pressure.
Osagie is a unique type of winger with the potential to reach Premier League level in the long term. A development period of 2–3 years in Germany would likely be beneficial, helping him adapt to the intensity and tactical demands required at Bundesliga level before potentially making a move to England.
Igor Gosik (Norway / Molde FK), striker born 2008.
Igor is a physical target striker who is dominant in aerial duels and offers a strong presence in advanced areas. He scored by reacting to a penalty rebound, demonstrating alertness and sharp positioning. With his back to goal, he is effective at linking play and setting up teammates, using his hold-up ability to bring others into attacking combinations.
Igor would benefit from a loan move to a mid-table OBOS-ligaen side in order to secure regular playing time and develop his goal-scoring consistency at a strong competitive level. In the longer term, his profile could suit low- to mid-table teams in Serie A or LaLiga, where his physical presence and attacking qualities could be further refined within more tactical environments.
Kristian Rodgers Holte (Norway / Odd), right winger born 2008.
Kristian is a left-footed winger who operates as an inverted wide player, capable of delivering precise through balls and effective switches of play. He demonstrated strong vision throughout the match, consistently identifying forward passing options and changing the point of attack with accuracy. He also played a key role in winning his team’s penalty, beating his direct opponent in a 1v1 situation before being fouled after a penetrating dribble.
Kristian is a profile worth monitoring for the top three teams in the Eliteserien. A move to one of these clubs could support his development and help him progress further, potentially paving the way for a future step into the Primeira Liga in Portugal.
