Finland's interim boss Marko Saloranta believes the Republic of Ireland's impressive improvement makes them favourites ahead of tomorrow night's crunch World Cup qualifier at Tallaght Stadium.
The Finns are the group's second seeds and, after the draw was made in April 2021, were fancied to take second place behind the imperious Swedes.
But Ireland have thrown a real spanner in the works.
Vera Pauw's charges went to Helsinki last October and plundered a 2-1 win. Since then, they've continued to flourish while Finland have levelled out.
They lost all three of their group games at the Euros and then parted company with manager Anna Signeul in the aftermath, with Finnish FA President Ari Lahti saying "it was a good time to prepare for the future and set a new direction".
So Under-17s manager Saloranta took temporary charge for their remaining qualifiers against Ireland and Sweden.
The shift in momentum is evident in the latest world rankings: Ireland (27th) are now two places higher than Finland (29th).
"Ireland is higher than we are in the FIFA rankings at the moment, and in this group they are higher than we are," Saloranta said on the Wednesday evening.
"Okay, one point only, and we lost back home in October, but still, I think it will be quite an even game. We had our chances, we just need to improve some things that were missing in the first game in Finland.
"I've been in the job four weeks. I was Under-17s coach still four weeks ago, and now we have trained three times together here. There are many things that we want to improve, but of course, everyone who is part of football knows that in three sessions, there's not many things (you can) do.
"Still, I feel we have improved in some points what we wanted. Of course, for the players and for me, it will be a tough night, but I think we have a chance to take the points."
Defender Natalia Kuikka (pictured above) echoed Saloranta's sentiments. The Euros disappointment, she says, can be used as a positive if they harness they harsh lessons learned.
"I'd say we are pretty much the same team, but also even better, just because of all the lessons that we learned from that tournament, where we are as a team compared to other European teams.
"That was really good for us to know where we are at, and now we know how to get there.
"I would say we are coming even stronger now because we know where we are and how far we have to go to be at the top.
"Ireland is a really fast and aggressive team so we have to be mindful of their transitions. I'm not surprised (by Ireland's performances), but it just means that we have to play even better and harder to beat a good Ireland team."
Finland are without experienced midfielders Adelina Engman - who scored their goal against Ireland in Helsinki - and Emmi Alanen, but Saloranta is confident other players can take the opportunity to step up and prove their worth.
"Finland was the second oldest team at the Euros," he said. "We have totally new players now coming in. Still we have that experience.
"Some players have played three Euros finals tournaments so we have experienced players and young players. All the players coming in, they are that level where they should be coming in. They are not coming to learn things they are ready to play. We have a chance (to show) this is a new start.
"Yeah, we need to win. If we win it's still in our own hands. A draw, there is some chance but I expect Ireland will take the victory in Slovakia.
"Ireland have been very, very good in set-pieces. In their own penalty box and our penalty box they are very aggressive. They are so tough. They've been very good in this group."
Follow the Republic of Ireland versus Finland on Thursday (kick-off 7pm) via our live blog on RTÉ.ie/sport and the RTÉ News app, watch live coverage on RTÉ2 and the RTÉ Player, or listen to national radio commentary on RTÉ 2fm.
