Finland were shocked in Helsinki by Serbia in a match that was a sure setback to their efforts to get to the top of Group A. However the Finland team can still stay in the hunt if they defeat Belgium on June 6. It’s a three horse race for the second spot between Portugal, Serbia and Finland in Group A with Poland sitting pretty on top of the group.

Finland coach Roy Hodgson had said before the Serbia game that he hoped his team would be able to overcome lack of match practice and fight for full points. That obviously did not happen, but Hodgson is hoping his team will get its act together against a strong Belgium team.

The Finland team is also battling injuries to key players. Prime among the injured is 36-year-old captain Jari Litmanen, who did not play against Serbia, but could be fit for the Belgium. Nevertheless it is doubtful if he will be able to play out the whole 90 minutes.

Hodgson is also hoping new faces like Roman Eremenko and Hannu Patronen will fire in the upcoming game against Belgium, although they might only be sued as substitutes. Goalkeeper Magnus Bahne and full-back Veli Lampi will also be in line for major roles in the game, but the former could have to wait a long time as Jussi Jääskeläinen appears firmly set in the Finnish goal.

Belgium on the other hand have an outside chance of making it through to the Euro 2008 Finals. Having lost 1-2 to a rampant Portuguese team, Belgium will be hoping to run Finland close. Marouane Fellaini scored his first international goal against the Portuguese, but Nani and Helder Postiga took the game away from the Belgium team.

Coach René Vandereycken might want to take a hard look at his defensive set up although he does not have much choice as far as the numbers are concerned.

Finland occupy the fourth spot in Group A with 11 points from 7 games, while Belgium are in the fifth place with seven pints from as many games. Finland v Belgium will kick off at 18:15 gmt on Wednesday.