KTP practically secured the First League victory when Jaro lost to TPS as a guest. However, Jaro is still firmly in the league qualifying spot.
One match was played in the Ykkösliiga, Finland’s second highest league level for men, on Thursday night, which practically sealed KTP’s promotion to the Veikkausliiga.
In the 2000s, the people of Kotka have played in the Veikkausliiga in the seasons 2003–2008, 2015, 2021 and 2023. In the previous three times, KTP has therefore immediately dropped back to the second level.
KTP’s rise was sealed because TPS knocked out second-placed Jaro 3–0 in Turku. As scorers Jesper Karlssonconker Riku Riski tough and Tuomas Pippola.
League leader KTP has 54 points. It has two matches left, against Mikkelin Pallloliijat and TPS.
Jaro from Pietarsaari has 51 points. It will play one more match where it will host SalPa.
So Jaro can get equal points with KTP. At the moment, however, KTP’s goal difference is on the plus side with 38 goals, Jaro’s only 18 goals.
Jippo from Joensuu is third in the series, with 46 points and two matches left. Despite the loss, Jaro is firmly in second place, which means a place in the Veikkausliiga qualification. Jaro has last played in the Veikkausliiga in the seasons 2002–2015.
In the Veikkausliiga, as a jumbo, in the place of the direct relegator, is EIF. Last to last is FC Lahti, which would therefore be coming against Jaro in the league qualifier. However, IFK Mariehamn is only one point ahead of Lahti in the league.
TPS is fourth in the First League, but again in quite a crisis. It has lost its rise. Appointed as CEO of the club in September Petro Punna resigned this week. Among other things, the club has unpaid salary arrears.
League jumbo Mikkelin Palloilijat is about to be relegated from the first league. Last to last is KäPa, which is about to be eliminated.
Veikkausliiga Series table below. The first league table can be found at this link.