Finland round-up: Jokerit peg back holders

Defending Finnish Veikkausliiga champions HJK Helsinki were held by newly-promoted local rivals FC Jokerit as the season began with the seven-fixture programme watched by an impressive total of 32,000 spectators.

Penalty apiece
Playing on the new artificial turf at Helsinki's Finnair Stadium, HJK made the perfect start when Joakim Jensen scored an eighth-minute penalty, but Jokerit levelled with another penalty 17 minutes from time through Konstantin Nahk to win an unexpected point.

Challengers start well
Myllykosken Pallo-47, tipped by many to claim the league title for the first time, claimed a 2-1 victory at another promoted club, FC KooTooPee. Saku Puhakainen's 33rd-minute goal gave MyPa the advantage, but KooTooPee equalised ten minutes into the second half with a Mika Pulkkinen penalty. However, MyPa responded quickly, Puhakainen claiming his second goal in the 61st minute.

Thriller for record crowd
In front of a record crowd of 3,105, FC Hämeenlinna were the day's only home winners, overcoming KuPS Kuopio 4-3.  Hämeenlinna head coach Ville Lyytikäinen said: "I expect the spectators were satisfied. A lot of goals, good play from time to time, defensive errors, everything. Good for the public, but on the bench I could do with a little bit less anxiety."

Haka victorious
FC Haka, third last season, were on good away form, beating Tampere United FC 2-0. Valeri Popovitch scored first on 27 minutes, with Sergei Terehhov clinching victory in added time. Meanwhile, TPS Turku beat local rivals FC Inter Turku 2-0 at the city's new Veritas stadium and FC Jazz scored the season's first goal through Juha Riippa on two minutes - but were held 1-1 by FF Jaro after Henri Myntti's late equaliser. AC Allianssi won 2-0 at FC Lahti.