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Finals review 2021

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In 5 games we were treated to some tense games and superb defence, but in the end Manse PP managed to break through and seal their first men’s championship in the club’s history in a 1-0 win over KPL. Manse finished top of the league in the regular season and soon became favourites to reach the final; however they were soon faced with elimination from the playoffs when they unexpectedly lost the first 2 games of their quarterfinal series against IPV. In the end, neither IPV or reigning champions Sotkamo could stop the star-studded team from securing their first final in only their second season in Superpesis. In my predictions going into the final, I struggled to pick a clear winner, but ended up backing KPL. At that point, I was convinced that Manse hadn’t reached their true potential this season and thought KPL would exploit that. A few weeks later and it seems that Manse did indeed unlock their potential and showed the strength of their defensive game in ways we rarely got to se
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Playoff previews 2021: the final

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Can KPL go all the way this season and take gold in their second consecutive final? After some intense semifinal series, the finals are set, with Manse and KPL in search of gold, whilst Vimpeli and Sotkamo go head to head for bronze. The post season so far has been one of the most thrilling and exciting in recent memory, now we will we if Manse’s big spending can pay off, or whether KPL can end their long wait for a championship… (1) Manse PP v (3) KPL This has been the toughest series for me to predict so far. Both teams are worthy champions this year and I have gone back and changed my mind several times. Manse beat Sotkamo in 3 straight games, but it was far from being an easy series. The first 2 games went to a scoring contest! Manse executed their game plan well to defeat the reigning champions, but some uncharacteristic errors (like Puhtimäki walking in a run in game 1) that made things harder than they needed to be. In a scoring contest, Manse probably has the best batting a
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Qualification series preview 2021

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Could we see Oulu or Jyväskylä in Superpesis next year? With SiiPe claiming victory by the narrowest of margins in a 5 game series against Hamina, they join Kankaanpää in their quest to stay in superpesis next season by playing the top 2 teams from Ykköspesis. The winners of the 2 series will qualify for Superpesis next year, the losers will play in Ykköspesis in 2022. (13) Kankaanpää v (Y2) Jyväskylän Lohi   Kankaanpää weathered the storm in the regular season and despite a tough schedule at the start of the season managed to cling on to 13th place and avoid the elimination series. Their place in Superpesis next season is not safe and they will have to beat Lohi to secure it. Jyväskylä is the home town of pesäpallo’s creator, Lauri “Tahko” Pihkala, as well as being a significant centre for Pesis since its creation, with the city hosting a women’s time that has won the last 3 championships; so it would be a fitting tribute for them to be in Superpesis in the 100 anniversary season.
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Playoff previews 2021: Semifinals

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The semifinals promise to be action packed and full of surprises… The first round of the playoffs are now over and the semifinals are set. Here is my preview of the last 4: (1) Manse PP v (4) Sotkamo Both of these teams played a tough series to reach the semifinals. Manse almost became the victims of a surprise series win by IPV; however Manse came back from losing their opening 2 games and won in 5 games. Sotkamo’s road to the semifinals had a substantially more threatening roadblock in the form of a hungry Joensuu side. If JoMa had home field advantage for the series, or the ball had bounced a certain way, this semifinal would look very different. Sotkamo’s regular season games against top 4 sides were not great and they lost more games than the other 3. Despite a dazzling performance at Kaupi on 30th July, Manse still got the better of the reigning champions in their most recent matchup. Manse now have to prove that they are the championship contenders they claim to be. Expect th
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Elimination preview: 2021

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Can Hamina turn their fortunes around and break SiiPe’s home record? Whilst the spotlight is on the top 8, the most intriguing matchup is the elimination series between SiiPe and Hamina. The loser will be relegated, the winner will have the change to stay in Superpesis if they can beat the league leaders in Ykköspesis (which will be either Oulu or Kuopio).   (14) SiiPe v (15) Hamina SiiPe start this series coming off the back of a remarkably up and down season. Siilinjärvi have beaten the likes of KPL, KiPa, Seinäjoki and Tahko - all at home. In fact, their home record has been so much at odds with their away record, that their points won from home games was 13 (an average of 0.93 per game) and points won from away games was a disastrous 2 (an average of 0.17).  On the other side, Hamina have struggled to reach their potential in 2021, mostly as a result of a series of injuries to Sasu Toikka and Matias Hangasmaa, but the lost opportunities and games where points were given away
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Playoff previews 2021: first round

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The regular season has ended and the top 8 teams now know their opponents for the first round.   (1) Manse PP v (7) IPV The star studded Manse side finished top in the regular season and gained the privilege of choosing their first round opponents before anyone else. Manse chose 7th place IPV ahead of the team that finished in 8th (PattU). IPV have had their greatest season in 28 years, when they last made it to the playoffs. The powerful Manse lineup is likely to obliterate IPV, but the reds are in high spirits and their story may continue if they pull off the seemingly impossible once again. Prediction: Manse 3 - 0 IPV (2) Vimpeli v (8) PattU Vimpeli have continued to look impressive at the plate and Sarrikenttä has been a tough place for opponents to visit - especially if they didn’t bring enough dry pairs of socks! PattU’s season has been fairly pedestrian and their final position in the top 8 came as a shock to many, in particular given the fact that they won their final ga
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Suomi Tour 2021: Game review - Hamina v Kankaanpää 20.08.2021

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The game officials meet before the game at the legendary Vallikenttä in Hamina Haminan Palloilijat v Kankaanpään Maila 1-0 (3-1, 5-5) My final game review of my Suomi Tour was perhaps the most unexpected. I had not planned to see any games on 20th, as I didn’t think I would have time; however I became available and had the opportunity to visit the iconic stadium at Hamina to watch the game against Kankaanpään Maila. This game comes as the season is drawing to a close and both teams are in need of points. Hamina ideally seek to get enough points to take home field advantage in the elimination series against (almost inevitably) SiiPe. For Kankaanpää, the aim is to avoid the relegation battle completely. Hamina have had a tough start to the season, with injuries playing a key part in the teams poor form. When the team had to self-isolate due to a positive covid result, there was a chance to reset. A change of game manager too has given Hamina a much needed boost. In the games leading
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