Finland face the biggest match in their history against Germany tomorrow.
So there you are, standing for an hour in the sodding rain, watching Finland train ahead of their semi-final showdown with Germany [without having the faintest clue what the coach is barking at them], all for a chat with the players afterwards. Then some Finnish suit says you're not to so much as open your mouth until the Finnish media have finished.
But I did muscle my way through for a few words with Anna Makinen before being bundled towards the exit, so all is not lost. And I'll get back up to Preston later this evening for a chat with the Germans, if all goes to plan.
Finland have surprised everyone with their performances in this tournament, Anne, are the players a bit surprised, too?
I'm a little bit surprised by how well we've done. But it's more a sense of fulfilment, that we have accomplished what we set out to do, which is reach the semi-finals. That's the best part.
That semi-final will, of course, mean facing Germany - holders, world champions, all round football machine. How are you all feeling before the match?
I haven't really given the game too much thought yet, because if you do, you wear yourself out. We'll start to concentrate on it tonight.
You got the semi that no one wanted, though - it's going to be tough.
Germany are hard to beat and we're going to need some luck to do that. But we believe in ourselves, and no team is unbeatable.
This must be the biggest match you've ever been a part of - the biggest match Finland women have ever had, surely?
For us this match is so big that it's hard to comprehend. I've been playing for Finland for 15 years and we've never won anything, so we've been waiting a long time for this moment to finally be here. You just have to hope that you can grasp it, and I think we are ready for this.
And are you ready for a possible final?
The final would be a dream come true - although I haven't ever really allowed myself to dream about being in the final. But I believe, and we believe, that we can get there.
