The performance of Glen Kamara in Finland’s 1-0 win over Denmark was as typical as it was predictable.
Understated, controlled, unnerving, relieving pressure off his team-mates knowing that he has the ability to, not only handle it, but to thrive on it.
The events and aftermath of Christian Eriksen’s shocking collapse will obviously get the headlines but for those keeping a watchful eye over one of our own, there were more than a few admiring glances.
The BBC’s commentary team of Jonathan Pearce and Martin Keown were hugely impressed, the former tipping Kamara for a move to the Premier League and the ex-Arsenal centre-half praising the midfielder’s disciplined performance as a reason why there have been so many teams reported to be interested in signing him.
What would have meant more to the Gers star is the comments made by his international skipper, Tim Sparv, before the game in an interview with BBC Radio Five Live, where, when asked about two key players instead brought the conversation round to one of Steven Gerrard’s prized assets:
“He’s taken our team to the next level,” he said.
Sparv is right of course, since Kamara’s debut Finland have slowly climbed the world rankings from somewhere in the depths of the lower 100s to qualify for their first men’s senior tournament where – if he continues the level of performance from his first appearance – his price tag is only going to go in one direction.