The biggest story of the Sixth Round was Tampere United's decision to play their home tie
against Jaro at Tammela Stadium, a ground considered by many to be Finland's best. The significance
of this is not obvious to those who have not been closely following Tampere football in recent
years, so I will recap briefly.
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The preview of the sxth round should take many forms, the first one being a homage to Pasi
Rautiainen. This Monday's match between Honka and TPS in Tapiola turned into something of a media
event, with most of the Finnish under-21 squad presented with roses for their achievement in
failing to win a single game or point, and scoring a solitary penalty during their three matches in
Sweden.
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"Tervakoski! So you're going to Puuhamaa, yes?"
Not exactly. The town is famous for Puuhamaa ("Finland's most diverse theme park"), and mighty
exciting it looked too, as well as a paper mill and lastly, a rather physical football team. NFN's
journey started from Sampola, the usual pick-up point for football teams, fans, day-trippers and
school excursions in Tampere, and our transport was something special.
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PATO's cup campaign continued on Good Friday with a trip to VAKP/2. They are the reserve team of
FC Haka's farm club, whose first team is now coached by Haka striker Sami Ristilä. In effect, they
are the reserves of the reserves, they play at a very low level, and were effectively cannon fodder
for PATO's Third Divisions squad.
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PATO's cup campaign continued on Good Friday with a trip to VAKP/2. They are the reserve team of
FC Haka's farm club, whose first team is now coached by Haka striker Sami Ristilä. In effect, they
are the reserves of the reserves, they play at a very low level, and were effectively cannon fodder
for PATO's Third Divisions squad.
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Here's what Helsingin Sanomat has to say about it. Pathetic attendance, due to the poor scheduling,
terrible marketing and general disinterest in the worst of the Finnish domestic competitions. The
League Cup at least attracts some interest because it gives an indication of how teams will play in
the next season, whereas the Cup just gives [.
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The women's cup final between Lahti club Kuusysi and HJK Helsinki will be an attacking game,
according to Kuusysi coach Jukka Makelä. "The pressure is on HJK, they are the leading
cup team in Finland. Challenges are nice and we've played the whole season with the attitude that
we don't play for a draw.
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The two semi finals were played last night, and to be honest I was embarassed for all four teams,
everyone that went to watch them, and the competition itself. The game I saw was Haka v Honka, and
finished 1-0 to the Espoo side, but it was a travesty of a match. First the positives: Rasmus [...]
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TamU lost yesterday, but the stats show a decent performance. The result sent MyPa to the top of
the league, and kept TamU down in lower mid-table. They will almost certainly have to rely on
the cup to get into Europe this year, and they have a tough Quarter Final draw: FC Haka –
TP-47 FC Honka [.
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It could be the sun, it could be an over-zealous barber, it could just be my over-active
imagination. But I think Mikko Paatelainen is dealing with his receders with a mohawk. Of course, I
mourn the passing of the mullet, a symbol of Finland just like Salmiakki and sauna, but times
change and Mikko moves [.
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