Similar proved to be the result in the ‘championship group’. Almost no changes occurred after the extra matches each team played – TPS Turku exchanged places with Haka Valkeakoski and so did Reipas Lahti and KPT Kuopio. The rest of the group kept their original places – KTP Kotka stayed 8th, KuPS Kuopio – 2nd, and HJK Helsinki – 3rd. HJK did not even bother – they were only 2 points behind KuPS after the first stage, but now dropped to 5 behind. Nobody bothered them from bellow either… All were seemingly satisfied with their original positions. Only KuPS used the new formula to their advantage and run for the title – but they were 3 points behind the leaders and did not manage to beat the odds: KuPS finished still 2nd with 40 points. OPS Oulu did not appear very strong in the last stage, but kept their lead , ending with a point more than KuPS.
Not exactly overwhelming winners, but still historically significant ones – OPS never won a title and they were founded in 1925. At last – a triumph. The team excelled in the preliminary stage – they lost only a match and built 3-point advantage. Since most of the mini-league did not really put an effort in the ‘championship’ stage, rightly calculating that there is nothing to play for, OPS still won 9 points – second best record at this stage. KuPS added 11, but the original lead by 3 points was still sufficient for OPS to stay on top. At the end, it was their defense which made them champions – they lost only 3 matches and allowed the least number of goals in their net.
Champions at last: from left: Kari Soila, Pekka Parviainen, Jukka Rantanen (mv), Ari Jalasvaara (ylhäällä),Eero Rissanen, Matti Ahonen, Juhani Himanka, Seppo Pyykkö, Pertti Pääkkö, Soini Puotiniemi, and Lauri Heikkinen. In front: Seppo Vakkari
No matter how achieved, a grand day in Oulu. First title ever – something to be remembered. To be remembered, but… after changes in the 21st century there is confusion. Today there is a club OPS, but founded in 2006. Is it related to the original OPS is a matter of opinion and legal arguments.
The Cup final opposed Ilves Tampere to TPS Turku. Neither club had a great season, but perhaps the fact that Ilves was threatened with relegation, but TPS had no reason to play seariously at all during the last stage opposed teams with very different motivation and form.
Perhaps TPS were unable to build strength and they lost 0-2.
Ilves Tampere won the Cup – a fine ending of troublesome season. Good for the ‘lynx’, they showed claws when it mattered.