Kammala wannan jumla: A matsayin matashi, Väänänen ya yi gasa ga Finland a gasar zakarun Turai na matasa a 1998 da kuma gasar zakarun duniya na matasa a 1999 da kuma
Shekaru biyu. A babban matakin, ya wakilci tawagar Finland a Gasar Cin Kofin Duniya guda biyar, inda ya sami lambar azurfa a 2001 da lambar tagulla a 2008. A shekara ta 2011 ya lashe lambar zinare.