Robin Tihi, 18, has previously made international appearances for Sweden at P17 level. But now the Finnish Football Association announces on its website that you can read that the defensive talent has been selected to play for them.
- He plays a lot in AIK and has now chosen to represent Finland. He is with us for the first time and he is an interesting and smart player, says national team captain Juha Malinen.
Robin Tihi has, as Malinen states, had plenty of playing time in AIK this season. Sweden's U21 national team captain Rolan Nilsson has been reached by the news that Tihi is nobbing Sweden.
- He was part of our gross squad, he was also part of Finland and I think he was also part of Morocco's gross squad. It is as we have discussed before that it is up to the players themselves to choose. Tihi chose Finland, but he has the advantage that he has not played with U21 there before, therefore there is still an opening to play with the Swedish national team in the future, says Nilsson.
What do you say about him not choosing Sweden?
- He was part of our gross squad so it is a player that we have kept track of and thought was interesting. It's always boring when they choose something else, but at the same time it is the players themselves who should feel that it feels right for them.
According to Nilsson, there is an opportunity for Tihi to change U21 national teams once, which means that Nilsson keeps the Swedish door open.
- Tihi has not played anywhere before as far as I know as he has not been in our national teams and played competitive matches. When he now plays with Finland, he has the right to change once. However, if he plays with the national team, then he is stuck.