Pohjoisen

I went to see Ilves-Kärpät on Tuesday, a game that saw Ilves win 3-0 and ensure Raimo Helminen would get at least one more game at Hakametsä. I was in the company of Kärpät fans, so we shall view the game from their perspective. Incidentally, I have been to three playoff games now, and each time my team has lost. I may stay away if Jyp take things to a decider.

Before the game the Kärpät fans unveiled a banner that read ‘teille on Raipe, meille on poikka’-you’ve got Raipe, but we’ve got ‘the boy’, the latter being the nickname for SM-liiga’s outsized trophy. Both claims looked a bit dodgy, as Raipe played very little and Kärpät did not look like champions in the making.

It was my first Kärpät game, but not the best example of their dominance of SM Liiga. They are clearly a good team, some of their passing was mesmerising, but when it’s not going right it’s not going right. I was surprised to learn that they go everywhere by coach, even during the playoffs, and those 7 hour journeys must take their toll.

Pesonen riled a few Ilves players and most of the Ilves fans, but didn’t do much of note otherwise. Tero Leinonen had a great game in the Ilves net, at one point trying to head a shot clear even though it was flying high and wide.

I was also surprised by how many supporters Kärpät had, and pretty stunned to discover the geographical range of their fanbase. My friend’s father in law had come down for the game, getting the night train home afterwards. Only he hadn’t come from Oulu. Oh no. He had left his home the previous night, driving the 80km from Kangosjärvi to Kolari, caught the overnight train to Tampere, and spent the day with his daughter before the big game.

He lives 400km north of Oulu, in the Meänkieli heartlands along the banks of the River Torne. He explained that he finds it difficult in both Finland and Sweden, as it is not just the language but more of a cultural difference. His daughter described her birthplace as ‘the armpit of Finland’, but I think she was describing the shape of the map rather than making a qualitative judgement.

This is apparently very common in the north. Kärpät are the best supported team throughout Finnish lapland, and this has a lot to do with their financial muscle. Most of the fans who were in Tampere live in the economically dominant south west, but have their roots up north. Supporting Kärpät in away games is a connection they’re not keen to lose.

Kärpät won yesterday, and provided Raipe’s boys get a win at Hakametsä tomorrow the game will go to a decider on Saturday at Raksila. Jyp host Tappara tomorrow on TV, and I think I’ll watch it that way rather than going to lend my support. Three games, three losses and only one goal for ‘my’ teams does not bode well for clubs I support in person.