Vaasa’s Palloseura won 2–0 with Honga’s joint goal in the final of the Eurofinal tournament. At the same time, the careers of two club legends ended when Sebastian Strandvall and Henri Aalto played their last match.
Vaasa’s Palloseura grabbed the spot that entitles it to the Conference League qualifiers on Sunday evening. The team beat Espoo Honga 1–0 in the second part of the final of the Eurofinal tournament Yevgeny Bashkirov by hitting VPS was stronger in the pair of matches with a total of 2–0.
– This is very significant for the club. A few years ago, we played as the number one diver and the club was in a bad mess. We have climbed back up with small steps, and then we had such a great success in the second season right after promotion to the league. It gives credibility that the right things are being done here, VPS captain Sebastian Strandvall said to after the match.
The people of Vaasa celebrated their European place for a long time with the players in the cool weather at the Hietalahti stadium. In the celebration of great emotions, tears were also shed when Strandvall’s playing career ended.
The 37-year-old Strandvall played more than 500 matches in his professional career, of which more than 300 were accumulated in the VPS shirt. He played in the Vaasa club for a total of 11 seasons. Strandvall was in the Vaasa team when the team last won bronze in 2013.
In his career, midfielder Strandvall also represented IFK Vaasa, Haka, IFK Marieham, Austrian Austria Lustenau and Iranian Rah Ahan Yazdan.
– First, a kind of emptiness or empty feeling hit me. Lots of happy feelings at the same time. Then I saw the wife and the family, which brought tears with me. Such a rollercoaster of emotions. Basically joy, but a lot of longing at the same time, of course, Strandvall described.
VPS last played on the Euro courts six years ago, at the beginning of the 2017–18 season. At that time, the team beat Slovenian NK Olimpija Ljubljana in the first round of the Europa League qualifiers 2–0 on aggregate. In the second round, Brondby was stronger than VPS with a total of 3–2.
Honga’s captain commented on the financial difficulties
Honga’s captaincy also ended in Sunday’s match Henri Aalton playing career. Aalto, who grew up in Honka, played more than 300 matches in the national team in 13 seasons. With Honga, he reached the silver medal three times.
Defender Aalto also represented Seinäjoki Football Club and the German VfB Oldenburg.
– I’m feeling quite empty right now. In the last few days, all the focus has gone to the matches. On the pitch, it’s hard to think about anything else, and there you can’t force yourself to think that this is the last time, Aalto told .
Aalto described feeling serene when he was able to end his career by himself, and not because of, for example, an injury. He said that the match series was good and even, although the final result was disappointing.
This week there was news about Honga’s financial difficulties. The club’s activities in the main league are in danger of ending this season. For example, Honka has not paid salaries to its players. Captain Aalto commented on the situation after the match.
– Every time Honga has financial difficulties, I am frustrated by how poorly things have been communicated and managed between the players, coaching and other personnel. Nothing is announced in advance. And when things happen, even then you have to ask for information and live in the dark.
– It’s a bigger problem for me than whether there are financial difficulties or not. The industry is difficult and all kinds of things happen all over the world. It affects everyone. But you have to be able to talk about things and respect people – to face things with dignity and pride, not secretly and arbitrarily.
Aalto said that the players have not been paid yet.
– We’ll see if we can get it next week, and as far as I understand, in terms of the license, we would have to pay little by little. I hope this happens, because I still wish Honga all the best for the future. The club belongs to the main league, Aalto said.
Sebastian Strandvall and Henri Aalto were interviewed by Walter Kronqvist.
Update November 5, 2023 at 7:07 p.m.: Strandvall’s and Aalto’s comments after the match have been added to the story.