Veikkausliiga live on Ruutu+ in 2016

Veikkausliiga and Sanoma's co-operation has extended to cover the period 2016 onwards. All league matches will be shown on IS Extra (Ilta-Sanomat) in addition to Nelonen Media's Ruutu+ service. During 2015, Veikkausliiga matches were screened on IS Extra, Ilta-Sanomat's pay channel. IS Extra and Ruutu + will be joined for Veikkausliiga 2016 on free-to-air TV broadcasts on TV channel Nelonen. The Veikkausliiga and Sanoma agreement covers the periods 2016 and 2017.

Veikkausliiga CEO Timo Marjamaa

"Our cooperation with Sanoma has started well and we are pleased to be expanding our co-operation. Ruutu+ is one of Finland's most popular streaming services, potentially our reach can get better and better" says Veikkausliiga's CEO Timo Marjamaa.

President of Nelonen Media Kari Laakso "I'm really pleased with this agreement. Veikkausliiga is a great product and it significantly improves the sports content of Ruutu+. In the upcoming season, Ruutu+ shows all the games and once a month, Nelonen will stream football free-to-air, so the domestic soccer gets further visibility."

This article originally appeared on Veikkausliiga's website.

If anyone would like to give me money towards a subscription, that'd be lovely.

New balls for 2016

Select's completely new Elite matchball will be introduced in the upcoming Veikkausliiga season. This is Select's first synthetic ball and Veikkausliiga is the first league where the ball will be introduced.

Elite is lighter to handle than Select's hand-sewn balls. The ball is very resistant to moisture, with a golf ball-style bumpy texture bringing the ball's distinctive trajectory, buoyancy and stability. Select Elite has received FIFA's highest approval, which means that it is available to all at the highest level top matches.

"Elite is the youngest member of the Pro Series selection, which is intended for top-level professional football. The fact that the Veikkausliiga has been chosen to use the Select Elite matchball is a significant recognition of the league's innovative developments and high quality standards" commented Peter Knap, Select's CEO.

Veikkausliiga's CEO Timo Marjamaa says "We are proud of our collaboration with Select and is just an awesome thing that we get this completely new model first". 

HIFK striker Pekka Sihvola, also chairman of the Players' Association is familiar with the new ball. "It's looking good. Only a couple of sessions so far, but the first impression is very good. This new synthetic ball is lighter. For me, of course, it is ideal as a forward", laughs Sihvola. "The surface looks good and the size is appropriate. We've not tried it in damp weather as we were in the hall. It'll be interesting to see how the ball behaves in a damp field. A common game ball is a great thing for our players' point of view".

This article originally appeared on the Veikkausliiga website.