3,000 spectators can be admitted to the Bandyliiga final between Narukerä and Kampparit, which will be played in Pori on Saturday. Narukerä got permission from the authorities to increase the capacity of the stands.
Matti Lehtisaari,
Jenni Joensuu
14:28•Updated 14:41
The ice hockey Bandyliiga season culminates in the final match between Narukerä of Pori and Kampparei of Mikkeli, which will be played on Saturday. 3,000 spectators can be accommodated for the match played in Pori, when Narukerä got permission from the authorities to increase the capacity of the stands on Friday. Normally, Narukerä’s matches can accommodate around 2,000 spectators.
Arrangements have been made at Pori’s artificial ice rink to increase the number of spectators throughout the week. Three grandstands were built around the field from snow and ice. In addition, movable seating stands have been brought to the site.
Narukerä has won the Bandyliiga championship once, when the SM gold was celebrated in Pori in 1999. Narukerä’s head coach Tuomas Erkkilä says that the past week has already been an exceptional time so far.
– Yes, this is an exceptional time for an ice ball player and coach. On the street there are people picking their sleeves. There are advertisements and ticket raffles on every radio station in Pori, even on the radio. There is a good mood in Pori at the moment.
– Home field is a big advantage for us. We have been a difficult team in Pori. We haven’t been beaten here in over a year. Hopefully we can get a record audience, Erkkilä continued.
Head coach of Kamppers Olli Manninen expect a precise game from the championship deciding final. The two teams that conceded the fewest goals in the regular season are facing each other.
– Both defend carefully and in depth. It’s hard to imagine this being anything other than a goal game. The teams have been strong in special situations. It could very well be that this is how it ends. The championship is about the little things.
Kamppari’s previous gold is from 2015.
The final match of the Bandyliiga can be watched on Saturday from Areena at 19:20 and on TV2 at 20:30.