Qualification series preview 2021

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. In reality however, Lohi are unlikely to defeat KaMa, who have a much stronger lineup. Lohi reached the qualification series unexpectedly, having beaten Kuopio (who were favourites to appear in this series). 

Prediction: Kankaanpää 3 - 0 Lohi



(Y1) Oulun Lippo v (14) SiiPe

It’s 2019 all over again for SiiPe and Oulu, as the 2 teams are no strangers to this fixture. In 2019 SiiPe kept their place in Superpesis by beating Alajärvi in 4 games in an elimination series before beating Oulu 3-1 in the qualifying series. Now these two teams are drawn together once again and all eyes will be on how this series unfolds. Both sides are very different to their 2019 lineups, so it will interesting to see whether the result will be any different. Without the benefit of home field advantage, SiiPe are likely to struggle in my opinion. Also, Oulu have been targeting a return to Superpesis and have been making all the right moves to see that happen. In my last prediction involving SiiPe I underestimated their overall strength; this matchup is even more challenging to predict, although I ultimately think Oulu will be the victors…

Prediction: Oulu 3 - 2 SiiPe


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