When Eveliina Summanen joined Tottenham from Sweden’s Kristianstad in January 2022, her career took a major turn. The 27-year-old knew she was entering a league with big ambitions—one that was attracting top European talent and would benefit from the boost of a home European Championship.
“At Spurs, I was given the support and time I needed to settle in,” Summanen says. “I wasn’t thrown in at the deep end right away. I got the right help, on and off the pitch, to reach where I am today. It didn’t happen overnight—I’ve been building step by step, and that’s still my focus: to keep moving forward.”
Summanen has become a key midfielder for Tottenham. In November, she won the Women’s Super League Goal of the Month award for a stunning 40-yard winner against Aston Villa—a strike also voted by fans as Tottenham’s Goal of the Season. She jokingly calls it a “one-hit wonder.” The Finland international adds, “It’s good to contribute with goals and assists and be part of the attack, but I’m not expecting to score another one like that.”
Her goal was a rare bright spot in a tough season for the north London club, which finished 11th—six places lower than the previous campaign, when they also reached their first FA Cup final. So what went wrong? “Honestly, I haven’t had much time to reflect, with the Euros and then switching focus to the new season,” Summanen admits. “Obviously, it didn’t go as we hoped. It’s a learning curve for everyone at the club—a reminder that nothing comes easy in this league. You have to work for it.
“Now we have a fresh start with a new coach and a lot of positive energy. The best thing is to focus on what’s ahead, not dwell on last season. It’s in the past, and we can’t change it. That’s just part of football sometimes. There will be tough moments in the upcoming season too.”
The disappointing results led to manager Robert Vilahamn’s departure at the end of the season. He was replaced by Martin Ho, former Manchester United assistant and manager of Norwegian side Brann.
“We haven’t had much time with him yet, but he’s brought a lot of good energy—and sometimes that’s what matters most,” Summanen says. “Without going into detail, he’s making small adjustments. It’s still early to judge, but the first impression is very positive. I feel there’s a clear path for us. We have so much more potential than we showed last season, and I believe he can help bring it out.”
Summanen isn’t just putting last season behind her; she’s also overcoming the frustration of Finland’s exit from this summer’s European Championship in Switzerland. A last-minute equalizer by the hosts knocked Finland out of Group A. “It was a huge disappointment not to advance,” she says. “That was our clear goal. We were so close and, in my opinion, we played well enough to deserve a knockout stage spot. But if you don’t win the right games, you don’t get the points—that’s what it comes down to.”
Still, there were positives for Finland at the tournament. After three losses in 2022, they showed signs of growth and resilience.The team earned at least four points in Switzerland. “We’ve been moving in the right direction all along,” Summanen says. “At the Euros, we showed we can compete with strong teams, but we’re not quite there yet—the results reflect that. So we need to keep working, and our focus now is on preparing for the next challenges when we gather for our next camp.”
Summanen has come a long way from her hometown of Lappeenranta. “If I wanted to stay in my hometown, playing with the boys was really my only option. It was just the way things were, and I felt it was the best choice—it allowed me to be closer to home and have my family’s support, which has always been huge. These days, young players, especially girls, have more opportunities to play with and against other girls. There are more teams and more competition.”
The competition is toughest in the Women’s Super League. “I believe the English league is the best in the world,” Summanen says. “More and more Finnish players are joining the league, which is great for us. And they’re taking on important roles in their teams, not just filling out the squad.
“It’s fantastic to see players making these moves, not just in England but in other countries too. Many are taking the right steps and looking for the best environments to develop—and I think I’ve found that here.”
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Frequently Asked Questions
Of course Here is a list of FAQs about the topic framed in a natural conversational tone
General Beginner Questions
Q What is the good energy mentioned in the article
A It refers to the positive atmosphere confidence and team spirit within the Tottenham Hotspur Womens team following their recent change in manager
Q Who is Eveliina Summanen
A She is a midfielder for Tottenham Hotspur Womens football team and a key player for the Finnish national team
Q What was the managerial change at Spurs Women
A The article discusses the positive impact of Robert Vilahamn who took over as the new head coach of the team
Q How is the team rising What does that mean
A It means the team is improving its performance playing better football and achieving more positive results in the Womens Super League
Deeper Advanced Questions
Q How specifically has Eveliina Summanen supported this rise
A As a central midfielder she has been crucial in implementing the new managers tactics controlling the games tempo and contributing to both defense and attack which has boosted the teams overall performance
Q What were the problems before the managerial change
A While not detailed in the articles title it implies the team may have been struggling with results playing style or morale under the previous management
Q What kind of style has the new manager Robert Vilahamn implemented
A Based on the good energy theme it suggests a style that is positive attacking and possessionbased which has empowered players like Summanen to thrive
Q Has this good energy translated into actual results
A The phrase supports Spurs rise strongly implies that the improved mood and confidence have directly led to better performances and more points on the table
Fan Practical Perspective
Q As a fan why should I be excited about this
A A team with good energy is more enjoyable to watch plays more attractive football and has a higher chance of being successful and competing at the top of the league
Q Where can I watch Eveliina Summanen and Spurs play
A Their matches are broadcast on various sports networks and streaming services
