Scottish Premiership star earning rave reviews at the Euro under-21 champs as he bags second goal and gets POTM award
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ABERDEEN winger Topi Keskinen rounded off a remarkable season personally by scoring in Finland's final game at the Under 21 Euro Championships and being named player of the match.
Finland came from two goals down to earn a point against Denmark as they finished the competition with a flourish.
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Topi Keskinen in action for Finland at the U21 Euros
Credit: Getty
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Keskinen scored in a man of the match performance against Denmark
Credit: Getty
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Keskinen helped Aberdeen lift the Scottish Cup to end 35-year wait
Credit: Alamy
Two commendable draws against Denmark and the Netherlands and a defeat to Ukraine saw the Fins finish bottom of their group.
But Keskinen can be proud of his performances at the tournament in Slovakia after a marathon-long campaign and can now enjoy some deserved rest.
The 22-year-old struck twice in three games in the competition, with his final goal coming against the Danes and his display earning him player of the match.
The UEFA Technical Observer Group said: "Keskinen produced a very positive and confident performance.
"And was always the player who looked the most likely to create and score for his team throughout the game, his display capped with a wonderful strike for Finland's second."
It was a short free kick laid off to him, which he drilled past the goalkeeper from outside the box.
After the match, Keskinen said: "It always feels good to score goals – that is my favourite part, and winning.
"I know we got a draw and I am happy to score a goal especially in front of those Finland fans, who made this tournament an unbelievable experience.'
It brings to an end a tremendous season, which for him actually started more than a year ago.
Keskinen played several games for HJK Helsinki beginning in April 2024, before switching to Pittodrie at the start of last season in August, in a deal worth around £900,000.
Moment Aberdeen new boy Keskinen pulls on OWL MASK and flaps his arms like bird of prey
He would then go on to play 45 times for the Dons across all competitions, culminating in their historic Scottish Cup victory over Celtic at Hampden in May.
He also won the club's Young Player of the Year.
While most of Jimmy Thelin's men would have enjoyed the celebrations and time on the beach, any thoughts of switching off for Keskinen were swiftly put to one side as he prepared for the Euro championships.
And he did not take long to make an impression there, scoring in their opening match against the Netherlands to give them a shock 2-0 lead.
A disappointing defeat to Ukraine would follow in the second group game but Keskinen bounced back against Denmark.
It was his 69th and final game in what has been a long, long season but one he will never forget.
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