Veikkausliiga week 24 (part one) - HJK win the big one

Due to Saturday's Suomen Cup semi-finals, this round of games was spread between Sunday and Wednesday. I'll do a short round up of Wednesday's matches afterwards.

HJK 4-2 Honka

It was the most anticipated match of the season, the first five-figure attendance in years, and surprisingly, a great game to go with it.

Happy Lod

A third minute goal from Robin Lod started proceedings, good timing as my Urho stream had only just started working. 10,305 people had squeezed into the Sonera Stadion, and most of them will have been happy. Alho's deep cross met Demba Savage, who headed straight at Honka keeper Viitala, but he could only push it straight back to Lod, who had a virtually open goal from five yards. Several yellow cards later, the game reached half-time at 1-0 to HJK, although both teams had chances.

Whatever Honka coach Mika Lekhosuo said at the break clearly worked as Honka flew out of the blocks. Tim Väyrynen, who'd scored a hat-trick for Finland U21s in the week, lofted a long ball over Ville Wallen, although Tapio Heikkila didn't cover himself in glory, letting the ball bounce in before trying to punch the ball away... Just before the hour, Honka's central defenders combined - Meite headed a corner against the bar, before Gideon Baah's overhead kick from the rebound flew in the goal.

Sad Baah

Ten minutes later, Teemu Tainio rose to head in a corner to make it 2-2 - before the Lod show continued - turning in a cross at the near post on 79 minutes, and two minutes later sprinting through the Honka defence to complete his hat-trick. The match ended 4-2, and it was a great advert for Finnish football. The challenge now is to build on this, for other clubs as well. Admittedly HJK do have a full-time award winning marketing professional, but hopefully this will inspire the others.

Lod with Ridge Forrester (Mrs ETS had to explain it to me)

Lod received his hat-trick hat (and man of the match award) from US TV actor Ronn Moss, famous for his role as Ridge Forrester in the Bold and the Beautiful... We never really got that show in the UK, but Mrs ETS explained that when it launched in Finland in the 90s, it was quite the phenomenon. He said he's doing a secret project in Helsinki, so we'll have to wait and see...

Highlights of HJK 4-2 Honka

HJK are still second in the table, but have closed the gap to Honka to just one point, with 45 points from 23 games. Honka are first with 46 points from 24 games (one more game played than HJK). HJK's game in hand is against TPS in September.

TPS 2-1 VPS

Midfielder Wayne Brown described it as a rugby match. It wasn't going to be pretty, neither team have contributed many open games this year. But it was a crucial match in the race for a bronze medal (and Europa League place), with the top two so far ahead.

Ameobi keeping an eye on the ball

Roope Riski opened the scoring after 26 minutes, nipping in at the back post. But Patrik Lomski equalised ten minutes into the second half (although TPS keeper Lehtovaara should have done better). Jani Tanska scored the winner with seven minutes left, leaping to nod in another cross. Three points in the bag for TPS, while VPS's poor form continues (2 wins in 9).

Highlights of TPS 2-1 VPS

The result leaves TPS in seventh place with 30 points from 22 games, albeit 2 games in hand on most teams around them. VPS are still third, with 36 points from 24 matches, nine points behind second-placed HJK.

MYPA 1-1 Inter

Like last year, MYPA have gone about their business quietly, not really challenging for anything but winning enough points to keep in the top half. But they'll view this as points lost against a drab Inter team who can barely buy a win (one win in fifteen league games). MYPA won a penalty after 24 minutes after Soiri was fouled by Gruborovics, converted by Pekka Sihvola (who else?), but Inter levelled just five minutes later through Guy Gnabouyou.

Yannick Salmon has a pop

Highlights of MYPA 1-1 Inter

MYPA are fifth, with 33 points from 23 matches. Inter are eleventh, 26 points from 24 games. I'll upload highlights when I see them...

Arsenal 3-1 Manchester City - thoughts (and photos)

After all the hype, all the money, all the dissent... Arsenal won their final pre-season friendly against Manchester City by three goals to one. The game was obviously still pre-season, nothing particularly meaty or controversial. The match was entertaining, with a few sideshows, and most of the attendees will have gone home happy.

At the final whistle

I'd started the day early, breakfasting at a BBQ diner in an abattoir in Kallio, with a Karhu of course. Shortly after the real boozing began, with €2.80 beers going down a storm. After a spot of bar-hopping, we found that the Olympiastadion had a fan area open, with plenty of bars, live music and people... At that point it was obvious that there were a lot more Arsenal shirts than Man City - the clear tone for the evening.

There was a good atmosphere, but with no amount of cringe. In the seats, under the big screen in the Pohjoiskaarre (north end), the teams came out... To the theme tune from Superman. Oh dear. From where I was, there were red and white shirts everywhere, and plenty of noise. Some of the older Arsenal chants were sung, in heavy Finnish accents. The jerseys had Wilshere and Cazorla on the back, while even Mrs ETS donned a 1970s home shirt.

Arsenal's early goal helped proceedings, Theo Walcott beating Joe Hart after Ramsey's great pass. It gave the crowd some momentum and kept the few City fans quiet. By half-time, everyone was thirsty for a beer, and although the option was Carlsberg, they did good business at €7 a pint. In the second half, goals from Ramsey and Giroud were lapped up, while Negredo's goal pointed out where the blue fans were (there weren't many).

Cameo appearances from Samir Nasri (booed heavily) and former Finland U21 international Carl Jenkinson added some more pantomime to the proceedings before the final whistle. The photo below will help cheer up any Gooner.

At the final whistle, the customary presentations were made on the pitch, to some music from Rocky IV... Walcott won man of the match, and the players trudged off - but there was time for Jenkinson to do a lap of honour before heading off. Carl had spoken to the Arsenal website about his difficult decision in choosing England, but was warmly cheered by the spectators. He threw his shirt into the crowd, and seemed pretty moved...

The aftermath of the game revealed some of the feeling in Finland - an attendance of over 39000 football fans who could have been elsewhere, especially as the much-hyped SuperMatsi in Jyväskylä got JJK's second lowest attendance of the year. There were even noises in HS that Finland would love to host a 39th game, if the Premier League ever rebooted that idea (surely not).

For me, it was nice to see my team in Finland, and a nice way to spend a weekend. There were a few familiar faces, and nice to catch up with friends and family. I was asked if I'd fly over just for Finnish matches, and of course I would - not this year though, I've seen four matches in Finland in the last 9 weeks and I'm skint.

Who's that handsome chap in the shades at the top of the group shot?

A nice weekend. Hopefully Arsenal will be back for real next time. Preferably in Kuopio!

In case you forgot

Highlights of Arsenal 3-1 Manchester City