Finland women accidentally call up long-retired 51-YEAR-OLD for international clash with 23-year-old pro now banned
FINLAND accidentally called up a retired 51-YEAR-OLD for international duty.
And it meant her namesake missed out on a crucial Nations League match.
Finland women’s manager Outi Saarinen apologised for the incredible blunder.
Saarinen named Stina Ruuskanen in the squad for Finland’s clash with Serbia.
However, Ruuskanen was born in 1974 and has long been retired.
Instead, she was supposed to include her namesake Nanne Ruuskanen – a 23-year-old defender who plays for Djurgarden.
The pair are not related.
But with the error not spotted until after the team sheet deadline, it was too late to make the change – meaning Nanne could not play in the 1-1 draw, one of Finland’s last matches before Euro 2025.
Stina earned two caps for Finland in the 1990s – with the latter coming a whopping 29 years ago.
That is why she was on Uefa’s database system, leading to the clerical error – forcing Nanne to wait to make her senior national team debut.
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Stina took it well and joked to Finnish reporters: “It’s amazing to still be called up to the national team at this age.
“It’s a must-win match tonight so that’s probably why I’ve been selected.
“I’m definitely ready if the call comes.
“Just yesterday I was playing in a hobby league match… so my game feel is good.”
Saarinen, meanwhile, expressed her sincere regret over the unfortunate incident.
She said: “Nanne was, of course, disappointed but took the news very well considering the circumstances.
“I am very sorry for the mistake.”