Rivals bid to temper Tampere ambitions

FC TPS Turku and HJK Helsinki are expected to offer 2007 double winners Tampere United the sternest resistance as the Finnish season gets under way on Sunday.

Stars gone
Ari Hjelm's Tampere have lost two of their top players, with Jarkko Wiss retiring and midfield colleague Juska Savolainen joining Norwegian side Rosenborg BK, but they remain a class act. Hjelm said: "We are really looking for success in the UEFA Champions League qualifying rounds, but that certainly does not mean we do not want to retain the title. It will not be easy, though."

'Media talk'
TPS will be looking to compete with Tampere. The departure of coach Mixu Paatelainen for Scottish side Hibernian FC prompted the club to hire former Finland boss Martti Kuusela, and they have impressed in pre-season. "Of course we want to win the title," said Kuusela. "But to call us the strongest favourites is just media talk - they do not really mean that."

HJK refreshed
Fellow former Finland coach Antti Muurinen is in charge at HJK, who have put a disappointing 2007 season behind them by assembling an almost entirely new squad over the winter. "TPS and Tampere United are the clubs everyone expects to do well this season, but at HJK we are also expecting a lot," said Muurinen. "The team is very hungry and I feel positive ahead of the start of the season."

Quiet confidence
The aforementioned trio are unlikely to be fighting among themselves for the title, with last season's runners-up FC Haka, FC Honka Espoo and 2005 champions Myllykosken Pallo-47 all ambitious. MyPa coach Janne Hyppönen said: "The media are more interested in the big city clubs and that suits us fine. Outside expectations are maybe not so high so we can take the others by surprise."

Similar perspective
Haka coach Olli Huttunen has a similar outlook, saying: "Very few people think we will end up in the top three but no team is too pleased when they have to play us." Honka boss Mika Lehkosuo, meanwhile, hopes a positive start can give his side wings. "The well-known truth is that when you play well and keep winning, you will never get tired," he said.

Relegation favourites
Promoted clubs KuPS Kuopio and RoPS Rovaniemi can expect a battle to avoid the drop, but favourites for a 14th-placed finish and automatic relegation come the last day of the season on 26 October are FC KooTeePee. Coach Tommi Kautonen said: "The team is young and inexperienced and so is the coach. We all lack experience but we will try to turn that fact into something positive."