The roundup - 20th to 26th January 2020
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| Sotkamo put on a strong performance in front of the Ruutu cameras in 2 practice games against Kempele Photograph from Sotkamo Facebook (c) Sotkamon Jymy 2020 |
The big stories
Provincial Gala awards in Kainuu, Pohjanmaalla and North Savo
In the weekend of 25th to 26th January, the annual provincial galas were held in Kainuu, Pohjanmaalla and North Savo. The provincial galas are a chance to award excellence in sport at a local level and grow the regional sporting communities.
In Pohjanmaalla the attendees voted for the most thrilling sports moment of 2019 and settled on Janette Lepistö of Lapua Virkiä (Women’s league) and Jukka-Pekka Vainionpää of Seinäjoen JymyJussit (Men’s league).
In the Kainuu sports gala Joni Rytkönen of Sotkamon Jymy was awarded Team Athlete of the Year coming of the back of his league leading 71 runs scored in 2019.
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| SiiPe Women’s team celebrate promotion to Superpesis Photograph from Siipettäret Facebook (c) Siilinjärven Pesis 2019 |
Nearly 300 sports fans gathered to celebrate North Savo’s sports year at the Kuopio city theatre on Friday 24th January. Whilst SiiPe men’s team struggled to retain their Superpesis status for 2020, the women’s team were promoted to the women’s Superpesis for 2020 when they beat Lappajärvi Veikko 3-0 after losing to Joensuu women’s team in the final. The promotion of the women’s team to Superpesis was chosen as the sporting moment of the year for North Savo.
Superpesis Roundup offers our congratulations to all the winners of the gala awards, with special mention to Jukka-Pekka Vainionpää and Joni Rytkönen who had outstanding performances in 2019 and made our 2019 Dream Team.
East v West game confirms men’s and women’s games will take place on the Saturday,
Unlike last years star studded festival where the men’s and women’s matches were held on separate days, the 2020 matches will both take place on a “Super Saturday” giving fans even more chance to experience high quality pesis. The prospect of having both matches played on the same day will surely create a big crowd and hopefully boost interest in both the men’s and women’s leagues. Similar events have boosted the profile of women’s and disability leagues in competitions such as Rugby League in the UK.
This years East v West games come from the city of Pori in the south west of Finland on the 3rd and 4th July. Pori has the 11th largest population in Finland and boasts some excellent museums and cultural spots as well as some great architecture along its streets. Tickets are currently on sale and can be obtained via ticketmaster and through the Itä v Länsi website:
Practice games continue in the final weekend before the Halli-SM tournament gets into full swing
Teams looked to try out new faces and combinations before they embark on their quest to win gold at this year’s Halli-SM tournament.
Results of practice games:
Kempeleen Kiri v Sotkamon Jymy - 0-2 (5-7, 1-4)
On Saturday 25th January Kempele opened the start of 2 games against Sotkamo with 5 quick runs in the first inning. Despite this explosive start to the game Sotkamo chipped away at Kempele’s lead and soon had them on the ropes, being 5-7 down in the 4th inning to give Sotkamo the first jakso. Kempele were unable to generate much success in the second jakso, with Sotkamo also seeming to struggle as both teams defense in the field gave up 1 run each going into the 3rd inning. Sotkamo had a perfect start to the 3rd inning with leadoff man, NAME, Joni Rytkönen and NAME reaching home to score in quick succession. Kempele tried to get the game back, but by now they had only scored 1 run over the last 6 innings and their offence seemed to have ground to a halt. Sotkamo took the second jakso 1-4. Overall it was an exciting game to watch, if for nothing else the chance to see some new and younger faces in the teams’ lineups. This match and the second game on Sunday were televised by Ruutu.
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| Photograph from Sotkamo Facebook (c) Sotkamon Jymy 2020 |
Kempeleen Kiri v Sotkamon Jymy - 0-2 (2-5, 0-11)
On Sunday 26th January the two teams lined up for another practice match. This was another televised practice game from Ruutu. The first jakso was a back and forth affair at first, with Sotkamo eventually building a 2-5 lead that Kempele simply could not overcome. In the second jakso Sotkamo’s offence erupted and they scored 11 unanswered runs to win the game in convincing fashion. Kempele and Sotkamo will next meet on 15th February in their Halli-SM match; if these two games are any sign of things to come, Sotkamo look set to put last years tournament defeat to Kempele to rest.
Imatran Pallo-Veikot v Hyvinkään Tahko - 2-1k (5-7, 5-4, 2-1)
Also on Sunday 26th January IPV took on Tahko in a forerunner to their Halli SM matches that start in the coming weeks. IPV gave up the first jakso 5-7 before winning the second 5-4. The game was decided by a kotiutuskilpailu which IPV won 2-1. The win was the first meeting between the 2 teams since IPV beat Tahko on 11th August 2019 in their quest for the remaining playoff spot (which they lost out on to Kitee). Like the August game, IPV won the game and will surely buoy their spirits going into the Halli SM tournament.
Kouvolan Pallonlyöjat v Kiteen Pallo-90 - 2-0 (5-7, 5-4, 2-1)
Sunday’s 3rd match saw last years Superpesis bronze winners take on Kitee who narrowly reached the playoffs in 2019. KPL were in fine form during the game and won both jakso 6-2 and 5-1. As this was a practice match, both teams also took part in a kotiutuskilpailu which Kitee won 7-8. KPL’s Halli-SM games start on 8th February against Tahko whilst Kitee have to wait until 15th February before their first game against IPV.
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