There have been several footballers down the years who have excelled in more than one sport. Few, however, can compare to Finland’s Emmi Alanen, who not only boasts a five-year career in the nation’s football team, but also represented her country as a youngster in a very different sport: wrestling.
Finland have been quietly building in status over recent years. Qualification for the FIFA Women’s World Cup™ has thus far remained elusive, but consistent showings at the UEFA Women’s EURO is evidence of strong growth for the Helmarit. Now the team are aiming to secure a fourth consecutive appearance in the continental championship, starting with a qualifier today (Thursday) against Montenegro as the race for Netherlands 2017 kicks off.
An intelligent and lively midfielder, the Finland No10 says wrestling taught her a different skill-set to that offered by football. “Wrestling has definitely had an impact on my physical attributes, my agility and on the way I control my body,” Alanen told FIFA.com. “It taught me to think of myself as an individual. In wrestling, the only one taking responsibility is me. Regardless of whether my performance was good or bad, I couldn't lean on a team for support.”
Youthful impetus 
Having recently hit the 50-cap mark, Alanen is a now very much a key component of a Finland side which has been replenished by a host of young players. Several are graduates of the team which surprised many by qualifying in style for the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup Canada 2014.
Though still only 24, Alanen has suddenly become a senior figure within the Helmaritranks. “I do feel a bit old,” Alanen said, smiling at the notion of being a veteran at such a young age. “There have been so many new young players coming into the team lately. I have played in three qualification campaigns now, so I guess I can be called an experienced player. But I think the mix of young and experienced players is a good thing. The young ones have so much energy.
“They also bring open-mindedness. At the (U-20) World Cup every match counts and the pressure is high. But they showed that they can play in a tournament where only results count.”
Aiming high 
The immediate task at hand is overcoming a challenging EURO Group 2 which, aside from Montenegro, also features Portugal, the rapidly-developing Republic of Ireland and recent Women’s World Cup debutants Spain. “It is important to get a good start and create momentum.
“The last tournament was a big disappointment for us,” Alanen says of Finland’s showing at EURO 2013, where the team collected two draws from their three group matches. "We got to see our level at that time, both as a team and as individuals compared to the best in Europe. After analysing our games we found our weaknesses and strengths, and based on that created an identity for our team.”
That tournament, however, proved a breakthrough of sorts for Alanen, who was spotted by one-time Swedish super-club Umea, where she continues to ply her trade to this day. Many of her national team colleagues also play in Sweden, or in other strong northern European leagues. The challenge now for Finland and their youth-orientated team is to take their game to the next level.