Our game against TU became a "final" game. Almost certainly, the loser of this game would finish our season as last (because our next game was against the no. 1 team and TU's against the no. 2 team). Both teams arrived early in the stadium and were determined to win this game. I haven't seen such a thorough warmup from two teams since I came to Pohjanmaa.

For our team, I did a change of coaching. The whole season was set-up as a "learning season" under juniors coaching rules (as our oldest player is 17 anyway). However, I didn't want to finish as the last team in the last league. So I showed the girls the difference between junior and adult coaching. I added specific demands, I substituted only according to the game-situation and my coaching was 100% result-oriented. I explained everything carefully, so that there wouldn't be any hard feelings.

I can say that the about 25 spectators saw a very exciting, completely even, game where no team was willing to just give an inch to the opponent without a fight. It was a lot of fun. Maybe not so much for the players who went to their limits - and even beyond! The end result was a fair 0-0 in a game which didn't deserve a winner (even though both teams had their chances to score the winning goal, with a bit more chances for us maybe). Due to this result and the following losses for TU and us, we finished the season on position 4. Hooray. ;-)

Lineup:

Veera
Sofia - Tetti (Kiia)
Ilona - Jemina - Siiri (Erica)
Siina (Emmi)

2. First chance for TU. Their no. 24, a former FCY-player tricks our players and finishes with a shot. Veera is able to put it to the side. First corner.

4. The no. 24 is again and again freely within our penalty area. Another shot, another save from Veera.

6. Another TU-player is suddenly free in our penalty area. Tetti tackles and distracts the shot to the side. Corner.

8. First chance for us. Siiri interrupts a pass and immediately shoots at the goal. The keeper gets the ball some 10 meters in front of her goal, but the ball bounces back to Siiri. She chips it into the empty goal, but misses the crossbar by a little bit.

10. Siina wins the ball from her opponent and passes to Ilona. She shoots, but the keeper shows a quick foot-reflex and paries.

11. Since the no. 24 is on the bench, the game changed towards us and we dominate now. Siina shoots from a distance and the keeper paries.

13. Excellent trick from Siina, then she is alone in front of the goal. Shot. To the keeper.

16. A hole on our right side. TU breaks through. Luckily, they finish with a too unprecise shot and miss our goal.

20. Several runs in a row from Siina, none with a finish though. She asks for a break. Emmi comes in.

22. Ilona with strong power wins a 1v1 and wins the ball from her opponent. She passes to Siiri who quickly shoots to the left corner. The keeper jumps and wishes the ball around the post. Corner. To the keeper. Corner again. Nothing.

24. Jemina misdribbles in our own penalty area, a striker shoots, Veera paries.

25. Siiri with a clever lob from 25 meters above the empty goal (the keeper was too much away). The ball misses the right triangle by only a few centimers.

Half-time. The first minutes belonged to TU, then we got the upper hand. After they put the 24 to their central defense, the game was then completely even. Jemina asked for a small break and Kiia came to the field. Siiri moved to the middle, Kiia to the left wing. The second half then was very exciting with chances almost by the minute.

26. Kiia with a good run on the left wing, she sees a direct free way to the goal and shoots, but misses the left post.

28. We lose the ball in the opponent's half and Sofia faces a 1v1 counter attack. Luckily she blocks the striker and saves the moment.

29. A beautiful double direct double-pass on the left with Kiia and Siiri. I love football like that.

30. Danger in front of our goal. The defense is unsorted. Siiri comes back to help and kicks the ball behind the goal. Corner. Siiri again 2 corner. Situation clear.

31. How did that happen? Tetti suddenly faces 2 strikers in front of her. She tries to delay until help comes, but TU finishes quickly - with a shot above our goal.

32. Emmi with a very strong 1v1 at TU's left corner flag. We get the corner, but the no. 24 interrupts it and starts a quick counter attack. Veera has to come out of our goal and help as a defender. She manages and kicks the ball out of the field.

34. Jemina comes back to the field as a striker. Tetti2corner. The no. 24 is now TU's playmaker again. We have to be more careful now.

35. Siina comes back in for Kiia and moves back to the striker position. Ilona and Siiri play another beautiful double pass on the right wing which eventually leads to a corner for us. The keeper saves it though.

36. The no. 24 breaks through on the left and shoots. Veera with an unbelieveable reflex gets the ball with the tip of her left foot. Corner.

38. Wonderful through-pass from Siiri to the left for Jemina. She leaves the defender behind, but her shot misses the needed power and the keeper thus gets the ball.

39. Ilona doesn't hesitate on the right wing and shoots a tough ball to the goal - slightly above it.

39. Siina vs. 4 defenders. Gets a corner.

41. Excellent combination game in the opponent's half with Jemina, Siiri, Siina and Ilona. That's football, girls! The attack is stopped with a foul centrally in front of the goal and only a few centimeters outside of the penalty area. Ilona attempts a direct shot at the goal. A defender distracts the ball. The keeper with a good reflex. Saves the ball.

47. After this scene, both teams completely equalised each other. No one wanted to make a mistake which could decide the game. The tactical behaviour from both teams was now something for football connoisseur. The last 3 minutes would belong to us though. First Jemina intercepts a ball and passes to Siiri who forwards the ball to Siina. Shot. Keeper. Corner. The corner comes to Ilona. Shot. Keeper.

49. Siiri with a strong scene on the right wing, passes forward to Ilona. It's Ilona vs. the keeper. Who would be quicker at the ball? The keeper, by maybe 0,01 seconds. ;-)

49:50 Ten seconds before the official end of the game, Siina passes to the right forward to Ilona. Despite a 1 vs. 4 situation, she shoots flat to the left corner. And the keeper dives and buries the ball under her body.

50.+1 The last scene of the game in the extra time. Siiri tricks two opponents and shoots at the goal. A defender blocks the shot. Last corner. Shot from Ilona. Blocked again. The end.

An exciting game ended with a typical situation for us: a good chance with no luck in the finish. Well, next time. ;-)

A final message for the referee: great job today (in both games)! Very secure performance.