With home advantage, you have to be the favourites to extract revenge on the side who cruelly pipped you to the crown two years ago. I have full faith Koskinen will end his curse!
1
Peimari Smash SJK To Secure Suomen Cup Glory
Peimari United Were 4-1 Victors Against SJK In The Suomen Cup Final At HakkisPaana
22/05/2021
Peimari United ended their Suomen Cup final losing streak in style as they smashed SJK 4-1 at HakkisPaana to claim the trophy for the first time in the club's history. The hosts opened the scoring early on before SJK equalised in stoppage time of the first half. Three goals scored in the final twenty minutes did not flatter Peimari United, however, who were beyond exceptional in the final. The cup victory secured UEFA Europa League qualification football for Peimari United for the 2022/2023 season.
Both sides were met by the roar of the crowd as they made their way onto the pitch for kickoff. Despite only 400 people attending the tiny stadium, the noise levels were equivalent to that of a stadium ten times, or even a hundred times, it's size. Banners and flags were on display as the Peimari faithful cheered on their team. Having felt cup final heartbreak in each of the last two seasons, the Paimion Leijonat were determined to right past wrongs.
The home fans had to wait until the thirty-eighth minute for the first goal of the game, however, but the goal was worth the wait. From a throw-in deep in SJK's half, teenage midfielder Jarno Seppälä tricked his way past two SJK defenders before teeing up his midfield partner Sasha Popovitch. The fan favourite lashed a first-time left-footed effort which nestled in the far corner of the goal, and sent the home fans in to raptures of cheers and applause.
The visitors were not without their attacking threat either, and tied the game up in stoppage time of the first half. Matti Klinga was afforded too much space outside the box and the midfielder sent a glorious right-footed drive into the top corner of the goal. It was a goal which deflated the mood in the stadium somewhat, but half-time allowed the home fans to regain their voice for the second half.
The second half saw Peimari United test the fitness of their opposition. SJK's players began to weaken considerably, and the home side began to dominate the game inside the opposition's half. With twenty minutes to go, Peimari United had regained the lead. Felipe Aspegren lead a fast-moving attack down the left. He chipped a pass to Bruno Rodrigues on the other side of the pitch, and the Portuguese wing back cut the ball back into the path of the onrushing Sasha Popovitch, who had the freedom of the entire goal to tap in his, and Peimari United's, second goal of the game.
![]()
Peimari's second goal had broken the visitors, and the hosts soon found a third of their own. SJK attempted to mount a meaningful attack, but Felipe Aspegren cut out the attack before releasing Antti Pokela with an adventurous long-range pass. The ball bounced unkindly for Pokela who had to shield off two defenders. The striker then picked out Justus Kauppinen, who was free inside the box, and Kauppinen took his chance well with a composed low finish.
Peimari United wrapped the game up in stoppage time with a fourth goal. Kauppinen turned provider and Pokela turned scorer as the former sent a cross in for the latter to head in at the near post. It was a goal which completely killed SJK and confirmed Suomen Cup glory for Peimari United. It was the first time the club had won the trophy, and it came after a very strong performance in the final.
Both sides were met by the roar of the crowd as they made their way onto the pitch for kickoff. Despite only 400 people attending the tiny stadium, the noise levels were equivalent to that of a stadium ten times, or even a hundred times, it's size. Banners and flags were on display as the Peimari faithful cheered on their team. Having felt cup final heartbreak in each of the last two seasons, the Paimion Leijonat were determined to right past wrongs.
The home fans had to wait until the thirty-eighth minute for the first goal of the game, however, but the goal was worth the wait. From a throw-in deep in SJK's half, teenage midfielder Jarno Seppälä tricked his way past two SJK defenders before teeing up his midfield partner Sasha Popovitch. The fan favourite lashed a first-time left-footed effort which nestled in the far corner of the goal, and sent the home fans in to raptures of cheers and applause.
The visitors were not without their attacking threat either, and tied the game up in stoppage time of the first half. Matti Klinga was afforded too much space outside the box and the midfielder sent a glorious right-footed drive into the top corner of the goal. It was a goal which deflated the mood in the stadium somewhat, but half-time allowed the home fans to regain their voice for the second half.
The second half saw Peimari United test the fitness of their opposition. SJK's players began to weaken considerably, and the home side began to dominate the game inside the opposition's half. With twenty minutes to go, Peimari United had regained the lead. Felipe Aspegren lead a fast-moving attack down the left. He chipped a pass to Bruno Rodrigues on the other side of the pitch, and the Portuguese wing back cut the ball back into the path of the onrushing Sasha Popovitch, who had the freedom of the entire goal to tap in his, and Peimari United's, second goal of the game.
Sasha Popovitch Was The Star Of The Show As He Scored Twice From Midfield
Peimari's second goal had broken the visitors, and the hosts soon found a third of their own. SJK attempted to mount a meaningful attack, but Felipe Aspegren cut out the attack before releasing Antti Pokela with an adventurous long-range pass. The ball bounced unkindly for Pokela who had to shield off two defenders. The striker then picked out Justus Kauppinen, who was free inside the box, and Kauppinen took his chance well with a composed low finish.
Peimari United wrapped the game up in stoppage time with a fourth goal. Kauppinen turned provider and Pokela turned scorer as the former sent a cross in for the latter to head in at the near post. It was a goal which completely killed SJK and confirmed Suomen Cup glory for Peimari United. It was the first time the club had won the trophy, and it came after a very strong performance in the final.
Peimari United 4-1 SJK 
Player Ratings:
Peimari United:
GK:Hakala (7.1)
DR:Rodrigues (7.8)
DCR:Latham (7.3)
DCL:Latosaari (7.1)
DL:Aspegren (7.7)
DM:Hyökyvirta (6.9) [73']
MCR:Popovitch (9.3)
MCL:Seppälä (7.0) [73']
AMR:Kauppinen (8.3)
AML:Ollila (6.7) [77']
ST:Pokela (8.2)
Subs Used:
Sub 1:Kylmälä (6.8) [73']
Sub 2:Nutikka (6.8) [73']
Sub 3:Sjöroos (N/A) [77]
Manager:Kalle Koskinen
SJK:
GK:Öst (6.4)
DR:Mero (6.4) [61']
DCR:Hetemaj (6.4)
DCL:Tikkanen (6.3)
DL:Manoel (6.9) [56']
MCR:Klinga (8.3)
MCL:Palermo (6.6)
AMR:Rey (6.5)
AMC:Raí (6.7) [61']
AML:Ions (6.4)
ST:Tolonen (5.8)
Subs Used:
Sub 1:Paananen (6.5) [56']
Sub 2:Kauppi (6.4) [61']
Sub 3:Jokelainen (6.6) [61']
Manager:Alexei Eremenko
Hakala (7.1)
Rodrigues (7.8)
Latham (7.3)
Hetemaj (6.4)
Manoel (6.9) [56']
Palermo (6.6)
Rey (6.5)
Ions (6.4) 
Peimari United Scored Three Late Goals To Demolish A Tired SJK Side
Kalle Koskinen:
"It is a fantastic moment for this football club. This was the one trophy that evaded us in each of the last two seasons and we finally got our hands on it! It was a fantastic win for the football club, especially in front of our fans at our own stadium, and the club will cherish this moment for years to come. It is the first time of many Suomen Cup wins, I hope!
It was a tough game for the first seventy minutes. Everybody knows of the attacking talent at SJK's disposal, and their goal was an incredible individual moment. We had to fight for every first ball and every second ball, and then sometimes every third ball, because of how relentless they are in their fight on the pitch. They showed just how tough they are and I think we can be proud of how we restricted them for most of the game.
The last twenty minutes were fantastic. We were missing a lot of players because of the U20s World Cup, with five of our players at that, but it didn't show in our performance. The boys who played showed passion, heart, desire, and great dedication to our game plan. They fought for each other and it made it easier at the end. When we saw SJK beginning to tire, we knew that we had a chance to seize the game and we did that very well. Three brilliant team goals, I don't think I can ask for more.
I think we'll enjoy this success tonight. The players deserve to celebrate their success. There won't be any mad partying, a lot of the squad isn't even old enough to drink yet anyway! We play our next 'final' against FC Inter Turku on Thursday in the Veikkausliiga. Every game is important and we need to show the same mentality and intensity in every game. We only have Veikkausliiga football for the rest of the season, so we need to make sure we play every game like it is a cup final."
Comment Section
ScottT, the curse has been lifted!Previous Update: #80 - Suomen Cup 2021: Road To The Final
Next Update: #82 - Season 2021: May
What a journey it has been so far! Sensational story writing mate. I really love your way of storytelling. Also, you "finally" won a final, with the Europa League qualification spot topping it. Looking forward to all the updates from now on! 
Transfers
Results
Disciplinary Record
