Just a couple of months ago, Ilves’ situation looked sad both on the field and financially. The victory in the Finnish Cup and entry to the European games changed the club’s future prospects.
Laughter rings out in the halls of the Ratina stadium. People who are happier than the other, dressed in the tracksuits of the football club Tampere Ilves, meet.
In the end, the reason for many smiles is also met: the shiny Suomen cup trophy. On September 30, Ilves left the Olympic Stadium as the winners of the Finnish Cup after defeating Honga in the final.
Even two months ago, the supporters of the Tampere club had few reasons to rejoice.
When Ilves lost on their home field to Valkeakoski Haka in August, the Tampere club was swimming in deep waters. The loss was the last nail for the then head coach Toni Kallion into the coffin.
Ilves informed about Kallio’s firing in the week following the Haka match. He took his place at the helm of the club Joni Lehtonen.
The course has since reversed. When, just a little before the victory in the Finnish Cup, survival in the Veikkausliiga was confirmed, Ilves’ season had changed from failure to success in an instant.
– A challenging season in many respects, but in the end the last Veikkausliiga matches and the great Finnish cup final turned the season into a sporting positive, rejoices the CEO of Ilves Edustus Risto Niklas-Salminen.
“I’m here to win”
There is still one game left in the current season, but the contribution of the match is not significant since the place in the series is already secured. Therefore, you can already turn your eyes to the next season, which can be approached with enthusiasm in the Ilves camp for many different reasons.
The team will play its home games next season at the new Tammela stadium. With the victory in the Finnish Cup, Ilves claimed a place in the second qualifying round of the Conference League, the new home sanctuary of the Tampere team will see Euro football next season.
The club has also hired a new sports director, Miika Takkula. He has worked for 15 years at HJK in various positions, most recently as sports director.
Takkula says that Ilves’ goal is to play for the championship in 3–4 years.
– Here and now, a top 4 ranking in the Veikkausliiga is a clear goal. At least the bar cannot be installed any lower. I’m here to win and make Ilves successful, says Takkula.
Raven hike
Moving from the Ratina arena back to Tammela comes at an opportune time for Ilves.
Ratina taival was quite a money hole for the club: in the previous fiscal year, Ilves Edustu’s turnover was almost halved and the result dropped by more than 450,000 euros.
The number of spectators decreased from the days of the old Tammela, the player trades were almost completely exhausted and also the match event sales were clearly below expectations, Risto Niklas-Salminen enumerates.
He describes the period as a raven migration.
According to Niklas-Salminen, the bond between the club and the fans was broken when Ilves played at the Ratina stadium.
Although Tammela’s stadium is a big investment that involves risks, Niklas-Salminen expects it to bear fruit. He believes that the audience average will increase significantly at the new address.
The financial situation is also eased by the victory of the Finnish Cup, which directly brought 50,000 euros into the club’s coffers. In addition to that, just reaching the Conference League qualifiers increases the amount of money earned by the club to hundreds of thousands of euros.
– The starting points are good for the future. The partners are very interested in Ilves, says Niklas-Salminen.
Miika Takkula had a stable job as the sports director of the successful HJK, but he chose to join an organization that still has a long way to go to the top of domestic football.
He says his love for challenges and faith in the Tampere club’s bright future are the reasons. He feels that Ilves has the conditions to be the best sports organization in Finland.
– I believe that I bring a lot to the fact that the potential is measured out and a success story is built.
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