KuPS and HPS can still play in European games. The new women’s Euro competition makes it possible.
HJK and HPS will meet in a local competition in Helsinki Töölö on Saturday. The live broadcast on TV2 and Areena starts at 18:40.
In the last rounds of the National Football League, there is more to worry about than the fate of duller medals, even though Helsinki Football Club already secured the championship a week ago.
There is a historical contribution to the silver struggle. The team that finished second in the national league gets a place in UEFA’s new club competition next fall. Previously, only the Finnish champion has been able to try his wings in Europe, in the Champions League qualifiers.
Sports expert Hanna Ruohomaan the football fans have welcomed the reform with joy.
– It has a huge significance for the entire series, because the stakes are right up to the end. Although the championship has been decided, the fight for silver is still very serious, especially when it is at stake to enter the Euro courts. This changed the situation in Finland a lot.
Kuopio Palloseura is tied for second place three rounds before the end of the series. However, Helsingin Palloseura, which is playing its peak season, is only three points away. The teams will meet each other on the last matchday of the season on October 18.
Ruohomaa sees the competition launched by UEFA as an opportunity to develop Finnish football.
– The fact that two teams get to Europe guarantees tough games, which inevitably boosts the development of the players. In those games, the players get opportunities to show themselves abroad as well, which can be significant, for example, for players who are not regularly in the national team.
According to Ruohomaa, the champion team of the National League has typically had suction when player transfers are made after the season. The two European venues also have the advantage that the players who want to play in Europe do not only apply for the WC gold team.
– Now it may be that there are two teams that attract each other. Now the silver team may even get to like their players even more. I think it’s really important, says Ruohomaa.
Appearing at Eurokent offers clubs not only game-related but also financial benefits.
– In the national league, the clubs’ budgets are relatively small, but in Europe there is a chance to get prize money when you advance far enough. They are really significant money for clubs’ budgets. If the club gets money, we will start investing more financially in the women’s team. It moves women’s football forward in Finland.
HPS and KuPS start the fight for silverware from very different starting points. For KuPS, who won the three previous championships, being without gold is a disappointment, but a place in the European Games could perhaps be some kind of consolation prize.
For HPS, which plays its home match in northern Helsinki, the first medal in history would be a big success, and getting to the Euro courts would be a tasty bonus on top of that.
– In my opinion, HPS would have maximum foreclosure of its potential if it gets silver. A complete success, says Ruohomaa.
11 friends hit the table on the means by which the National League could flourish. Listen to the podcast episode from Areena or the player below.