Finland women’s national team manager Outi Saarinen has apologized after an embarrassing administrative error saw her accidentally call up a long-retired 51-year-old player instead of the intended squad member for this week’s Nations League match against Serbia.
In a bizarre mix-up, Saarinen submitted former Finland international Stina Ruuskanen – who last played for her country in 1994 – instead of 23-year-old Djurgården defender Nanne Ruuskanen (no relation). The mistake was only discovered after the selection deadline had passed.
The retired Ruuskanen, who earned just two senior caps 29 years ago, saw the funny side, telling Ilta-Sanomat: “I’m definitely ready if the call comes! Just yesterday I was playing in a hobby league match… so my game feel is good.”
The younger Ruuskanen missed Finland’s 1-1 draw in Helsinki on Tuesday. “Nanne was, of course, disappointed but took the news very well considering the circumstances,” Saarinen said in an FA statement. “I am very sorry for the mistake.”