A hugely frustrating season has a brighter end for Bristol Rovers goalkeeper Anssi Jaakkola, who has been included in Finland's 26-man squad for Euro 2020.
Jaakkola was due to miss the tournament last summer while recovering from surgery on a dislocated shoulder, but the competition was postponed by a year due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The 34-year-old has had further injury problems this year, but he returned from an Achilles issue before the end of the season to finish the campaign with the Gas.
A dreadful season for Rovers ended in relegation, but for Jaakkola he has the chance to represent his country at their first major tournament appearance.
Jaakkola is set to be head coach Markku Kanerva's third-choice option, behind Bayer Leverkusen star Lukáš Hrádecký and Brescia's Jesse Joronen in the pecking order.
Finland have been drawn in Group B, alongside Belgium, Denmark and Russia, playing their games in Copenhagen and St Petersburg.
The tournament runs from June 11 to July 11, and although Finland are favourites to finish bottom of their group Jaakkola's inclusion means he will likely report late to Rovers' pre-season training campaign.
Jaakkola had three caps for Finland, the most recent coming in a friendly win over Malta in 2018.
He is in exclusive company among Rovers players to receive international recognition in recent years, with Junior Agogo, Tom Lockyer and Vitālijs Astafjevs among those to be called up by their country while on the books at the Mem.
The goalkeeper has made 50 appearances in two seasons for the Gas, and is under contract for next season.
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