Posted on by Vesselin

Finland

Finland – ranked 23rd. Strong years for Finnish club football – they climbed up having a chance to get 2 UEFA Cup spots instead of two: they needed just one strong European season and if Bulgarian teams underperformed again the Fins would be in the group with 2 UEFA Cup teams. The rise was largely made by Kuusysi (Lahti). The season, however, was rather typical – three teams were quite bellow the rest of the top league, but mostly the league was fairly equal. Still traditional formula: 2 points for a win. One team was directly relegated and the champion of Second Division directly promoted. The 2nd -placed in Second Division and the 11th in First Division had to play promotion/relegation play-off.
OTP (Oulu) won the Second Division championship with 30 points from 12 wins, 6 ties, and 4 lost games. Goal-difference: 42-21.
GrIFK (Kauniainen) was 2nd in Second Division with 29 points and went to the promotion/relegation play-off. There they met KePS (Kemi) and lost both legs 0-2 and 2-5. No promotion for GrIFK…

KePS (Kemi), 11th in the top league with 13 points, managed to survive. Quite weak, true, but keeping a spot in the First Division was great for them and they assured at least one more season among the best.

Koparit (Kuopio) finished last in First Division and was relegated. They won only match this season.

Reipas (Lahti) was lucky to survive – 10th with 14 points.
Haka (Valkeakoski) was only 9th, but not in danger of relegation – they ended with 19 points.
Up the table – according to shuffling and current form. PPT (Pori) was 6th with 23 points.
Ilves (Tampere) – 4th with 25 points.
Bronze medals for TPS (Turku). They finished with 28 points.

Kuusysi (Lahti) was unable to win the title this year – 2nd with 30 points.

HJK (Helsinki) won the championship and its 15th title. 15 wins, 3 ties, 4 losses, 38-14 goal-difference.

The Cup final was between Kuusysi (Lahti) and the Second Division champions OTP (Oulu). A good chance for the underdog to win a trophy and they used it. Kuusysi continued their successful period – OTP fought as much as they could, but Kuusysi prevailed 5-4.

Not an easy victory, but victory: Kuusysi added a Cup to their trophy room, confirming that they were the most exciting Finnish club at this time. First Cup.

The great photography of Juha Tamminen must be recognized – without his work, photos of Finnish teams would be scarce. And not only Finnish teams, but a lot of South American team photos.