Champion favorite HJK opened the season with a victory in the farewell match of top referee Gestranius – KuPS defeated Inter at home

The Football Veikkausliiga started on Saturday with the victories of the championship favorites. In Helsinki, HJK took a 1–0 victory over Honka, and KuPS, who was named HJK’s biggest challenger, defeated Inter 2–1 in Kuopio.

In Helsinki, HJK’s only hit was due to those who came in for the second period Casper Terho.

The opening period of the match was goalless, although both teams had their places. HJK’s David Browne served a button feed Nassim Boujellabille, who, however, failed to take the home team to the lead at close range. Honga ‘s best place was seen during overtime when Rui Modesto flashed his dangerous shot.

A spectacular volley from Terho almost resulted in a goal, but a good save from the keeper kept it out, and Terho could only knock the loose ball wide. Fabian Serranensin serving. The hit was the third in the betting league career for 18-year-old Terho.

The people of Espoo had a place to level the game. Jerry Voutilainen centered forward Agon Sadikullebut the HJK guard Jakob Tånnander just got his keys in between. A moment later Lucas Kaufmannin the bet just went over the back corner.

– You must be disappointed, the fire came in. A little better performance and better luck could have gotten points, but you have to be honest. Today the Club earned their victory, they were better, an experienced Hongan defender Konsta Rasimus admitted.

The match saw several betting league debutants, perhaps the most talked about having made their debut in Huuhkaji recently Miska Ylitolva17.

Ylitolva admitted he was excited about his betting league debut, even though he played with the Owls in Iceland and Slovakia.

– It made it easier when the game started. He didn’t think about it then. Good feelings start the season with a win over a good opponent, which is better, Ylitolva said.

– We created a lot of situations that led to one goal. We were dangerous in the offensive direction and confident in the defensive direction. The performance was balanced and good.

The local match was followed by 4,650 pairs of eyes at the Töölö football stadium. The torches of HJK ​​supporters suspended the match for a moment and the opening period was given six extra minutes.

A top referee who has also whistled international matches Mattias Gestranius said goodbye to the betting league and admitted the opening period was challenging.

– The first half was quite broken and awkward. It wasn’t nice to be on the field. The second half was much more comfortable and playful. A bit of a weird game, Gestranius said at a post-match news conference.

Gestranius, who has also been selected as the referee of the year for six years, will start in his new position in the Football Association as the coach of the top referees.

– Good feelings yet, but I think that when we start reminiscing about my uranium, I may feel more sad. At some point you will probably realize that this was the last game.

Last season’s silver medalist KuPS opened the season victoriously, beating Inter 2-1 in front of almost 1,400 spectators in his home opening. All the hits of the match were already seen in the opening season. Janis Ikaunieks took KuPS to the lead after just five minutes, but Interin Roger “Ruxi” Bonet leveled the game ten minutes later. The winners of Kuopio were responsible for the winning goal Gabriel Bispo, which continued Anton Popovitsin free kick 38 minutes into the match.

VPS, who returned to the Veikkausliiga after two seasons, equalized the score with AC Oulu. VPS led the match after the opening period Steven Morrisseyn by hitting. At the beginning of the second episode, the audience in Vaasa was pampered with two spectacular hits. First Riku Selander brought a great long shot to the guests levels and just minutes later Aleksi Pahkasalo moved the ball in from the air Sebastian Strandvallin serving. However, AC Oulu rose to the last few minutes Michael Lopezin with paint.

In Seinäjoki, SJK won from HIFK with last minute goals. The away team was already in victory Pipe Saezin penalty kick by hitting a hit, but Denys Oliinyk brought the ball into the back of the net without any difficulty. The winning hit struck Rafal Wolsztynski with extra time.

In the Pirkanmaa derby, Haka took a 2–1 victory over Ilves. All hits of the match were seen in the opening period. Hakan Stavros Zarokostas and Lee Erwin corresponded to the home team hits. The lynx’s hit hit Tuomas Ollila penalty kick at the end of the opening period.

IFK Mariehamn – FC Lahti will end later.