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Pukki hoping Euro 2020 ambitions will help propel City to safety
Teemu Pukki is hoping to use his excitement for the Euro's next summer as fuel to fire Norwich City to Premier League safety Picture: AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis - Credit: AP
Teemu Pukki is hoping his Euro 2020 ambitions will help him fire Norwich City to Premier League safety, as he aims to make Finland’s squad for the finals next summer.
The Finnish striker has made a blistering start to life in the top-flight, scoring seven goals in 14 games to give him the much-desired one goal every two games ratio.
His form on the international stage has been just as prolific, netting ten goals as Finland qualified for their first ever major tournament, something Pukki is relishing to experience.
"It was amazing, something all the Finnish football people have been dreaming of for so long, finally we did it.
"There was a big party in Finland and I feel really proud to be a part of that team - and still did quite alright in the qualification as well," Pukki said. "So really quite happy to help my country to do that".
Shkodran Mustafi endured a difficult afternoon up against Teemu Pukki. Picture: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images - Credit: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Ltd
The task at hand prior to those finals is to help ensure the Canaries are operating as a Premier League team again next season with the Finn being the striker they'll look towards to fire them to safety.
Pukki insists he will use the excitement of next summer as fuel to enhance his performances on the pitch for City.
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"It will keep giving me a lot of puff for games for next year because I want to be at my top level next summer, so I think that's just a positive thing."
Finland have been drawn into Group B alongside Belgium, Denmark and Russia, with their first Euro 2020 fixture to be played in Copenhagen in June.
Given the manner in which he's adapted to life in the top-flight, it appears difficult to faze the Canaries hitman, whose composure is a vital component in his game.
Few anticipated him making the impact he has on the Premier League, but his positional intelligence has seen him net against Manchester City, Chelsea and Arsenal respectively. Now, he'll be hoping to get the better of world-class defenders on the international stage.
"It's going to be tough, of course, we know the other teams are stronger than us but we're not going there to learn, we want to go through from the group stages.
"It will be an interesting summer and I'm looking forward to that but there's a long time before that."
