Our performance was certainly a real statement to the rest of the league. Haka looked absolutely shell shocked by the 70th minute. We where so ruthless, direct and passionate in front of a sell out crowd. What a night! Ps: Credit where it is due, Rantanen really has turned it around after that...

One way I can see Finnish football improving (In terms of attendances for home and away teams) would be with better stadiums (an expensive option for some clubs, which I understand) You only have to look at our stadium this season to see how much of an impact it has. I am yet to do an away game...

I suspect we can maintain 4-5k this season, especially as we have teams like SJK, HJK, Turku, Haka still to come. The away attendances are definitely helping as well, I suspect that is because the Stadium is well designed and new, everyone wants to come and see it. Fair play to Oulu though that...

Good win today, we really needed that especially at home. But oh my god, we do make it hard for ourselves. Rantanen needs to look at our defensive shape, Our two CBS are not mobile enough to cover on the counter attack. Countless times this season we are leaving 2 at the back and it is just...

What a win! Second half was the exact kind of performance we needed. I thought the players played it spot on with the ref second half as well (the rolling around and everything, he was very excited to dish out cards) That was without doubt (For both sides) the worst Refereeing display I have...

YES! Come on! That was a great header. Big goal for us need to show some character now.

Honestly I have never seen a referee performance quite like that, What on earth… What exactly did he see to send off Doni Arifi? It was a coming together of two players trying to win the ball. It wasn’t dangerous or entire uncontrolled. The yellow card for Veteli was also very strange, he...

Great game, if you are a neutral or Gnistan fan. This information is evident from the first game as well, The coach/manager needs to look at the players he has, and the type of football they technically can play right now. The high press tiki-taka Barcelona style is not going to work with...

Luckily in Finland the Railway network is really good (and well priced) so for the majority of away games I would assume that getting to them is not to much of a hassle even the further away games like Oulu for example. MIFK and FC Haka look really interesting. Haka's stadium reminds me of a...

Fantastic! This gives me a much bigger picture and perspective both for Ilves and the Veikkausliiga in general. The Pirkanmaa derby makes sence and the Haka and HJK rivalry sounds interesting and it is great to hear your views on the other teams in Tampere in terms of the feelings of rivalry...

I had a question in which I was hoping someone here could spread some light on for me. I had a very brief look through the football pyramid in Finland and did not remember seeing Tappara anywhere. Would I be right to assume that they do not have a setup for football? I know about the...

This topic is about Ilves and isn’t really the place for a debate to discuss the differences between League one and the Veikkausliiga. So after this post I’ll stop and you can message me directly if you wish to discuss about it further. I appreciate what you are saying and understand why you...

Interesting to see the development of football stadiums in Finland. Does seem to be a huge gap in terms of facilities within the Veikkausliiga when comparing all the stadiums. I really like the fact that away from home you can practically go to almost a Park one week, to a modernized all seater...

You really under estimate the level of 3rd division football in England, or perhaps have not seen a game below the Championship if you believe that to be the case (I am not going to assume) I do not think Charlton are a great team, nor did I say that? I simply said I supported them (I grew up...

Hello! Football fan from England here (Originally) (Charlton supporter) I have been living in Finland for the past 5 years and was delighted to see the New Tammela stadium is within walking distance of my home, so I had to take the opportunity to go to my first Veikkausliiga game. I know quite a...