Finland Faces Shocking Lineup Blunder as Retired 51-Year-Old Registered Instead of Defender—What Went Wrong?

Imagine preparing your team for a crucial Nations League fixture, only to discover at the eleventh hour that a bizarre administrative snafu has left you shorthanded. That’s exactly what happened to Finland’s women’s squad when a slip-up meant that Nanne Ruuskanen, a promising 23-year-old defender from Djurgården, was mistakenly swapped out for a retired namesake—Stina Ruuskananen, who hasn’t graced the pitch since 1996. The irony? UEFA’s system still held the elder Ruuskanen’s outdated details, leading to a maddening mix-up that surfaced just before kickoff in Helsinki. You can only imagine the mix of disappointment and disbelief swirling around the team, especially poor Nanne, who had to absorb the news with remarkable grace. As Finland battled Serbia to a 1-1 draw—spoiled by a late own goal—this offbeat drama unfolded beneath the radar, spotlighting how a simple clerical error can ripple through an entire squad’s morale. With Euro 2025 looming in Switzerland, Finland’s team management will surely hope this kind of blunder stays firmly in the past. LEARN MOREFinland Women were left with a depleted squad after a bizarre administrative error meant Nanne Ruuskanen could not be registered for their Nations League clash with Serbia.

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