The annual Captain’s Ball gala of the Finnish Football Association was organized on Thursday evening. Jutta Rantala and Lukas Hradecky were chosen as players of the year. The Captain’s Ball itself was given to Timo Nummel.
5.12. 22:35•Updated 5.12. 23:12
The Finnish Football Association, the Veikkausliiga and the National League have again awarded their meritorious players at the Captain’s Ball gala. Received the prestigious Captain’s Ball Timo Nummelin.
The Captain’s Ball is a special award for particularly positive and significant work done for the benefit of Finnish football. The first Captain’s Ball in history was awarded in 2002 To Jari Litmas.
Known as a master of two sports, Nummelin, 76, won three Finnish championships as a soccer player. He is the only Finnish athlete who has been selected as both the best hockey player and soccer player of the year in Finland.
Nummelin said he was surprised. He was supposed to go watch the Mestis match on Thursday with his daughter.
– Man is created to move, Nummelini to play, Nummelin made the audience laugh in his acceptance speech.
The second award, the Jyrki Heliskoski honor award, went Ari Seppäläwho currently works as the head coach of the Oulu Skating Club.
The Huuhkajie captain and the goalkeeper who led Bayer Leverkusen to the double championship was chosen as the male player of the year. Lukas Hradecky. The female player of the year award went to Leicester and Helmarie Talk to Rantala. The U21 player of the year title went to the defender of Pikkuhuahkajie Ville Koski.
Rantala was on the sidelines from Helmarie’s EC further qualifiers due to an injury, but was able to celebrate with the team a fresh place in the competition. Rantala scored the most goals for Finland in the EC qualifiers.
Rantala was also awarded as Leicester’s player of the year.
– It tells about doing something right even in everyday life. It feels great to receive these accolades. I don’t get these alone, but thanks to my teammates, Rantala thanked.
Hradecky was awarded again, but the Finnish keeper, as usual, could not make it there due to the club team’s busy schedule.
– Maybe after my career I’ll get a job. We didn’t succeed in Huuhkaj, but maybe that’s a sign that next year we’ll get revenge. I am grateful for the club team year. Double championship years don’t grow on trees, Hradecky said in a video greeting.
The Football Players’ Association awarded the players of the year. HJK was chosen as the player of the year in the national league Lotta Kalske. The Veikkausliiga player of the year was from KuPS Petteri Pennanen.
The referee of the year was elected Oliver Reitala.
Story edited at 11:10 p.m.: Markku Kanerva’s name removed from entry.