Haka rise, Oulu fall at the finish

FC Haka were the big winners and FC Oulu the big losers as the 2007 Finnish Veikkausliiga season ended on Saturday. With Tampere United already crowned champions, Haka pipped FC TPS Turku to second place and a spot in the UEFA Cup, while Oulu fought to the bitter end before finally being relegated.

'Difficult season'
Speaking after the 2-0 win at FC Vikingit which, coupled with TPS's 3-0 loss at HJK Helsinki, secured the runners-up slot, Haka coach Olli Huttunen said: "It was a difficult and testing season. Finishing second tastes really good after everything that has happened." The second UEFA Cup qualifying berth will go to the Finnish Cup winners – or runners-up should Tampere, who will enter the UEFA Champions League next summer, overcome the challenge of fellow semi-finalists HJK, FC Honka Espoo and first division Gamlakarleby BK.

'Great opportunity'
Honka coach Mika Lehkosuo, whose side finished their campaign on a high by defeating the champions 2-0, said: "This result will give us confidence ahead of the semi against HJK." HJK are celebrating their centenary and are hungry for cup glory having finished only seventh in the top flight. Coach Antti Muurinen said: "On Saturday we'll play our most important match of the season. The cup is a great opportunity for us and we must take our chance."

Second chance
The relegation fight lasted until the final minutes of the 26-game season. Oulu, playing with ten men away to Myllykosken Pallo-47, twice came from behind before losing to an added-time Mikko Hyyrynen goal which left them at the foot of the table on 22 points. Vikingit were a point and a place better off, and now face a play-off against RoPS Rovaniemi from the second tier to determine who will play in the Veikkausliiga in 2008. "I'm happy that we still have our future in our own hands," said Vikingit coach Jari Europaeus. "We're confident we'll retain our top-flight status."