The championship was interrupted for KuPS several times before it secured the WC gold in Espoo. Already in September, before the final of the Finnish Cup, the people from Kuopio had a chance to secure first place against HJK, but the club beat KuPS by a large margin. After that, KuPS played a draw with PK-35 Vantaa.
Wilma Forsblom, playing her first season in Kuopio, admitted that the team gave HJK the opportunity to fight for the championship.
– However, we managed to clear the situation at the end and took an important victory today. We knew we were the better team.
Head coach Pauliina Miettinen stated that it was difficult for the team mentally, especially after the match against PK-35 Vantaa, because the victory was so close at that time.
– The human mind is more afraid of losing than of gaining something. That pressure has been palpable. We had a third match ball and it was taken today. It wasn’t easy, Miettinen said.
According to him, the players have been tired and the team’s game got a little confused during the European games. However, Miettinen was satisfied with how well the players gathered themselves.
– It came through joy. All’s well That ends well.
KuPS won the double championship this season, as it also celebrated the victory of the Finnish Cup. Forsblom’s championship was the first in a KuPS shirt, but many in the team have enjoyed success in recent years.
– I don’t know what our secret is. We play well together, we play hard and we don’t give the opponents chances, he said and told that the team is just going to enjoy now.
– We still have one match left and we thought we’d win that too. After that we can celebrate.
Wilma Forsblom and Pauliina Miettisti were interviewed by Jussi Jäkälä.