Raitala Starts for Finland, Lappalainen Left Out.

There are no big surprises in the Finland starting line-up against Greece for their crucial Euros qualifying tie in Tampere.

Impact defender Jukka Raitala gets the nod at right-back, however Lassi Lappalainen despite only four attackers listed in the squad, fails even to make the bench. It’s not clear if the 21 year-old has picked up an injury in training or not.

He’s seen game time in five of Finland’s last six internationals, so it seems a little unusual he doesn’t make the 23-man squad for the game.

A win will significantly enhance qualification chances for Finland, who have not conceded at home for almost two years, a run that covers 9 match.

The result in the group game earlier in the day went in Finland’s favour with the Italians winning 3-1 against Armenia in Yerevan. The gap between Finland and Armenia remains at 4 points.

The Finns will be hoping for an unlikely result in the other game today when Bosnia and Herzegovina take on Liechtenstein at home, although qualification hopes very much remain in Finland’s own hands.

They will depend today on on-form Norwich City striker Teemo Pukki (3 qualifying goals in 4 games so far) and Jasse Tuominen, from Belarusian club BATE Borisov, for goals.