Finland captain Tim Sparv says the players “spent half an hour in the sauna, drinking beer and singing songs” before partying the night away in a Helsinki nightclub after they secured qualification to a major tournament for the first time in the country’s history.
The Eagle-owls beat Liechtenstein 3-0 on Friday to secure second place behind Italy in qualifying Group J and a spot at Euro 2020 next summer, their first successful qualifying campaign in 33 attempts stretching back to 1938.
The final whistle in Helsinki sparked scenes of unbridled joy, with supporters running onto the pitch to celebrate with the players.