Ekenäs IF from Tammisaare secured their promotion to the football Veikkausliiga when they defeated TPS 3–1 (1–1) in Turku on Monday. With their win, EIF increased the gap to Gnistan, who is second in the First Division, by four points, with only one round remaining. In the final round, EIF will face Gnistan at home.
Although the open series offers all teams a competitive chance to advance to the main league, just being able to play is not enough. CEO of Veikkausliiga Timo Marjamaa reminds that circumstances have requirements.
– How to respond to them is a separate question. Does the club have the opportunity to play at their home stadium or does the club have to make a decision that they have to play in an evacuation center because their own stadium is not suitable for playing? Marjamaa stated.
Chairman of the board of EIF Fotboll Ab by Magnus Illman according to EIF’s background troops have been preparing for the rise since autumn and summer, when it was noticed that the rise is no longer just a dream. The club has had two options, Ykkönen or the league, and has had its own plans for both.
The auditorium renovation is planned, but it is not enough
Illman believes that EIF’s biggest threshold issue in moving up to the league can be found in the grandstand structures of Tammisaari’s central field. In the League Licensing Regulations it is said that a league stadium must have a covered stand or stands with at least 1,500 seats. The Tammisaari stadium can hold more than 1,300 spectators, but most of them are without a roof.
A league team can get an exception for the stands and lights, but under certain conditions. The club must have a plan ready, how it can get them repaired in two years with the commitment of the stadium owner.
According to Illman, a renovation is already being planned in Tammisaari, which is now part of the city of Raasepor.
– We already have the drawings and plans in the city council, Illman said.
The license regulations required for the Veikkausliiga have become stricter, and according to Marjamaa, the requirements especially regarding the circumstances have been tightened all the time. It especially affects EIF’s chances of getting a license.
– As far as EIF is concerned, it can be said with certainty that Tammisaari cannot be played under any circumstances. The stadium’s artificial turf is such that it will not pass the license in any way, Marjamaa said.
Illman: Playing elsewhere is not an option
The Veikkausliiga can be played on artificial turf, but it must meet the “FIFA Quality Concept for Football Turf”/”FIFA Quality Pro Standard” quality requirements and the surface must pass the FIFA test every year.
– The Veikkausliiga’s demand for these artificial grasses is tough. If you do not pass the FIFA test, you may not play on the platform. Tammisaari has just this kind of old artificial turf that doesn’t pass the FIFA test, Marjamaa said and said that the schedule for repairs is quite tight.
– The city should then dig up the stadium and install new artificial turf. Then it should pass the tests. We know that the season starts next spring. In practice it is impossible.
One option for EIF would be to play their home matches in “evac”, at some other stadium, but according to Illman, that possibility has not crossed their mind.
– No. Is not. Tammisaari residents don’t necessarily go elsewhere to watch home matches, Illman guessed.
The level must be raised in every area
In recent weeks, the representatives of EIF and Veikkausliiga have held discussions about what it takes to be promoted to the league. According to Illman, it is not enough just to raise the level of the players, but every area must raise its level.
The Veikkausliiga also assumes that the finances of the league clubs are on a stable footing. The league brings obligations, but also income streams, because in the league the teams receive about half a million euros annually from the media contract and from the European Football Association’s solidarity money pot.
EIF has operated in Ykkösen with a moderate budget, and in Illman’s opinion no one has too much money. In Tammisaari, it is hoped that a place in the league would bring new interest to, for example, the sponsor market.
– The budget should be increased quite a lot. We talk about completely different amounts when we are in the league, Illman said.