Tuesday 20.8. Women’s super pes 1st semi-final match Lapuan Virki – Seinäjoki Maila-Jussit at 17:00. Commentary by Mikko Hannula, Lapua.
Baseball expert Sami-Petteri Kivimäki can see that in ‘s TV match, the favorite refers to the runner-up of the regular season, Lapuan Virki, who starts as the favorite against Seinäjoki’s Maila-Jussei.
– You could say that Virkiä’s inner game against Maila-Jussie’s outer game is largely the plot of the couplet. Of course, Lapua also plays a good outside game – it must be mentioned – but if you think about the whole series, the decisive thing is whether Maila-Jussit can dull Virkiä’s inside game enough in his own outside game, in which case winning a single match is possible, the expert guides.
Kivimäki sees that the Seinäjokis will start from behind, at least in the indoor game compared to Virki.
– If Virki hits well and plays his familiar, high-quality inside game, then he can always score four to five runs per period.
Of the five previous meetings between the teams, four have gone to Lapua.
– It is quite clear that Virkiän Janette Lepistö is in a hot hitting streak as he leads the playoff hitting statistics by a wide margin. In general, the series features a classy battle between the Jokers, while Lepistö is opposed by SMJ’s Aino-Kaisa Manterewho hit 2+64 in the regular season.
– Virkä’s forwards, playing with numbers 1 and 2 Petra Kerola and Kaisa Peräaho start Virkiä’s inner game. They play a big role, just like playing a very winning locker game at their best Anni Heikkilä. In addition to Lepistö, these players are key players for Virkia, Kivimäki knows.
Kivimäki thinks that Maila-Jussie’s three wins from Virkiä would be a big surprise.
– In principle, of course, it is possible when it comes to local games. But if you look at how the teams have played in the playoffs so far and also the teams’ mutual history over a long period of time, then Virki is the clear favorite for the finals.
The maintenance timing of the stringers is correct
The second women’s semi-final between Manse PP from Tampere and Kirittäri is, according to the expert, a more competitive series of matches. Mutual victories were divided 1–1 this season.
– Kirittäri has had an upward trend all season and I feel that they are at their best right now, or at least approaching it. And they will surely challenge the regular season powerhouse Mansen with a good away game.
According to Kivimäki, a lot in the series culminates in whether Kirittäret will get Mansen’s inner game undermined.
– The fewer runs there are in a pair of matches, the more the Jyväskylä residents’ shares rise. If you see a batting competition between the teams, Manse is stronger in that. With a good and tactical outside game, Manse can be shaken. Then we fight for period and match wins.
An important factor for Mansen is the queen of the six-fold Superpesis Virpi Hukan game condition.
– I’m not sure how much he’s played lately, but at least not in the playoffs. Just whether he plays or not will have a big impact on the series. Manse starts as the early favorite, but I predict a really even series, the expert says.
Women’s 1st semi-finals (3 wins):
Manse PP – Kirittäret
Lapuan Virkiä – Seinäjoki Maila-Jussit
Men’s 2nd quarter-finals (3 wins):
Pattijoki – Manse PP (wins 0-1)
Kitee – Kouvola (wins 0-1)
Joensuu – Sotkamo (wins 1-0)
Kempele – Vimpeli (wins 0-1)
Will Joensuu tame Sotkamo’s Jymy?
The men’s quarterfinals kicked off last weekend. Joensuu Maila’s victory over Sotkamo’s Jymy was the only surprise. Or was it even a surprise?
– Yes, someone will probably see the result as a surprise, but if you look at this more broadly, this season’s mutual games than the history of the next few years, it was not a surprise. This pair of matches seems to be the object of the greatest interest.
The expert points out that Joensuu knows how to play against Sotkamo. In the opening match, it was very clear that the away team had done their homework, and Sotkamo didn’t get anything for free.
– The biggest question mark has been whether Joensuu’s away game will last, because it has fluctuated at times. At least in the first match it was very strong and that’s how Joensuu took a big win, praises expert Kivimäki.
Joensuu, who finished seventh in the regular season, can put Sotkamo, the number one in the regular season, in a really tight spot on Tuesday.
– You can say that if you lose 0-2 in the series, it’s disgusting to start building on it. Of course, the margins are small. Joensuu has certain injury concerns, and Sotkamo has room for improvement in his indoor game. From Jymy’s point of view, it would be worthwhile to tie the series on Tuesday, otherwise it will be really difficult, Kivimäki describes.
In the other quarterfinals, Manse PP, Kouvola and Vimpeli took the expected home wins.
– I went according to the script. Kouvola in particular was a very strong, clear victory for Kopla. Mansela saw a small break in the game, but they turned the game around with their routine. In Vimpeli, Kempele started well, but could not hold the lead and after that Vimpeli was even superior.
The expert predicts a fierce twist for the other teams, because the home teams are at their best strong on their home field and therefore ready to surprise.
– Pattijoki, Kitee and Kempele know that in order to continue, the series must be tied on Tuesday, Kivimäki emphasizes.