Friday evening’s weather forecast promises freezing rain, but the local competition will bring heat to both the field and the stands.
The brand new Tammela stadium in Tampere will be put into use for the first time today. FC Haka from Valkeakoski will be Ilves’ guest in the Liigacup match.
A fresh Ilves face Roope Risk waiting for tonight’s local fight. The artificial grass is turning green despite Friday’s heavy snowfall. Tuiske doesn’t bother the 32-year-old attacker.
– It feels good, in the evening with shorts on my feet to get around, Riski laughs.
Riski moved from Helsinki to Tampere in January.
– I have only been here for a short time, but I have understood that these games must be won. I want to live up to expectations.
Riski has suffered from injuries in the past. Even though the knee is fine now, you have to think about the load.
Head coach Joonas Rantanen shares Roope Risk’s enthusiastic atmosphere.
– Feeling privileged. At the same time, however, we have to remember that the new stadium will not directly bring us one point.
Friday evening’s weather forecast promises freezing rain. According to Rantanen, it does not affect the preparation, because he cannot influence it.
According to the first season’s Veikkausliiga pilot, the cooperation with Ilves has started well.
– The team was already ready for a long time at the beginning of December, so we have been able to focus on the essentials.
Ilves has three winning cup matches under his belt.
– The teammates are nice, the coaching is high-quality and the environment is good. I believe that Ilves will have a great year, Riski sums up.
In the video, Roope Riski tells how he settled in Tampere.
In April, the stadium will be completely ready
Tammela’s stadium is still not completely ready, says the stadium manager Toni Hevonkorpi. A part of the B-stand as well as the VIP side of the third floor is in use, but it is still not possible to go everywhere.
Hevonkorpi cannot say how many tickets have been sold for tonight’s match.
– The capacity seems to be around 1,900 places today, so hopefully at least close to that.
The finished stadium can hold 8,000 spectators.
Customer and event manager Tanja Aho says that the evening’s match will also have a significantly smaller serving.
In the future, according to Aho, there will be five permanent kiosks and many pop-up stores, mainly from local operators.
In the opening match of the Veikkausliiga on April 6, everything should be ready.