Finnish students aim for two medals at the European Universities Championships

This summer, the team is missing the medallists from previous years’ rowing and karate events, so there’s plenty of room for others in the spotlight. Among other athletes, the taekwondo duo Frans Salmi and Linda Räkköläinen are considered especially strong candidates for success. Both athletes also represented Finland in the 2023 Summer University Games in China. Badminton is a new and interesting sport for the Finnish team. The team captain Iiro Koivula has been able to assemble a particularly strong team this year.

“Our hopes for earning medals at the 2024 Games rely heavily on our taekwondo and badminton teams, but that’s not to say that our other athletes would be far behind from the best in Europe,” says Markku Rantahalvari, the Finnish team manager.

The Finnish men’s football team has participated in the European Universities Championships many times over the years. During the last Games, the University of Jyväskylä’s men’s team did not qualify for the knock-out stage. However, in 2018, they bowed out in the quarter-final. Finland has a difficult group this time as well, facing tough opponents from Spain, France and Germany.

This year, two Finnish teams are participating in the women’s event, which makes the upcoming Games especially exciting. Tampere University has represented Finland twice, entering the contest with high expectations but unfortunately so far achieving little success. University of Jyväskylä’s team can with good reason be considered the underdog among the two Finnish teams.

“We hope that the two participating teams will push each other to outdo themselves,” Rantahalvari says.

Stay up to date on the Games by following Finnish Student Sports Federation’s Instagram account or check out the official website of the Games.

Team Finland

10-16.7. Futsal

Tampere University
Heidi Tahvanainen
Julia Jokiranta
Saana Kakkonen
Linnea Nuutila
Siiri Kurppa
Veera Räkköläinen
Lotta Hiihtola
Annette Korin
Elisa Ilottu
Manta Räsänen
Essi Salonen
Jussi-Pekka Nyström

University of Jyväskylä
Nea Nyrhinen
Kerttu Markkanen
Henna Tynjälä
Hanna-Mari Pietilä
Siina Jauhiainen
Maija Markkanen
Emmi Rauhala
Karoliina Latvala
Niina Talvensaari
Erna Puomi
Martina Vornanen
Veera Lehtinen
Alina Oikarinen
Heidi Malkki
Henri Louste

11-17.7. Football

University of Jyväskylä
Jarkko Niskajärvi
Julius Huusko
Viljami Järvinen
Kalle Ojala
Olli Pöylio
Samuli Aatsinki
Elias Martikainen
Samuel Arponen
Leevi Kemppainen
Topias Tiainen
Joonas Madetoja
Juuso Tarvainen
Viljami Isotalo
Eino-Veikko EK
Jussi-Pekka Lana
Tuomas Koppelomäki
Jani Rinta-Halkola
Noa Peltoniemi
Marti Oller Brunet
Ville Vanttaja

19-23.7. Beach Volley

Metropolia University of Applied Sciences
Minttu Junno and Annika Waris

University of Helsinki
Noora Huhtala and Venla Väärälä

University of Jyväskylä
Saara Piippo and Veda-Alexia Mansikkaviita

Savonia University of Applied Sciences
Vili Manninen ja Veli Manninen

19-24.7. Badminton

University of Turku
Iiro Koivula
Emilia Ojala
Juuso Kuoppala
Tommi Ruoho
Johanna Kelavuori
Eero Kiiski

21-27.7. Taekwondo

University of Turku
Linda Räkköläinen

University of Vaasa
Frans Salmi

Coach Essi Labart