The Stadin Derby

Tension hung in the air surrounding Sonera Stadium on Thursday evening as Finland's capital braced itself for an intense ninety city-dividing minutes of football. HJK versus HIFK. Blue versus red. Derby day was upon Helsinki.

The peaceful backstreets of Töölö were transformed into a football festival as hoards of fans descended upon the stadium to witness the next installment of Finland's most highly anticipated football clash.

The history of the Stadin Derby stems back to their first meeting in 1909 in which HIFK prevailed on the day by a 3-1 scoreline. Its title translates to "derby of Helsinki", with stadi being slang for Helsinki derived from the Swedish word stad, meaning city. At the time both clubs were associated with Helsinki's middle class and allegiance was decided by your mother tongue, with HJK and HIFK representing the Finnish and Swedish speaking populations respectively.

Nowadays the significance of language and class has somewhat faded due to social changes and the increasing multiculturalism of Helsinki, yet the rivalry remains strong having been recently renewed by HIFK's 2015 return to the Finnish top flight. Their relegation back in 1972 kept the rivalry bubbling under the surface for over four decades as they toiled in the lower divisions of Finnish football.

During their plight HIFK dropped as low as Nelonen in the early eighties and again as recently as 2003-05. Nelonen translates to four and operates as Finland's fifth tier of football. Under the guidance of current manager Jani Honkavaara they earned back-to-back promotions from Kakkonen (meaning two, third tier) in 2013 and Ykkönen (one, second tier) in 2014 after narrowly topping the table on goal difference.

Their long-awaited return to Veikkausliiga sparked an atmospheric explosion as the Stadin Derby reignited for the first time in 43 years. On the 23rd of April in 2015 both sets of teams and fans became fiercely reacquainted in a shared home stadium which had yet to witness the likes of such an atmosphere having only opened in 2000.

During HIFK's absence HJK had won the league 17 times, yet this counted for little on the day as they fought out a tightly contested 1-1 draw. This scoreline was the result of all three of their Veikkausliiga meetings in 2015, leaving neither side with bragging rights going into this season.

HJK fans pass HIFK fans en route to the stadium. Image by Niko Karumaa (link)

In the build up to kick off it was HJK's army that were first to march into the stadium for what was technically their home game. Quiet streets were quickly flooded with blue smoke and chants which echoed off the surrounding apartment blocks. The chanting intensified as they passed by a side street filled with HIFK's fans, Stadin Kingit (the kings of Helsinki), who were kept at a distance by a strategically placed police blockade.

A small handful of adventurous HIFK fans had crept their way around the block to greet their rivals, however their ill-advised ambush was dispelled as quickly as it formed with only a few punches and half-empty beer cans thrown before the alert riot police quickly forced their retreat with their handy batons and pepper spray.

Once the blue army were ushered into Klubipääty (The Club stand) the blockade parted to allow Stadin Kingit to charge into their northern stand to continue the confrontation in the more civilised form of chanting and tifos. The opposing blue and red ends of Sonera Stadium combined to create a highly impressive atmosphere, with the sell-out crowd of 10,500 creating volumes far greater than a stadium of its size would traditionally be capable of producing.

Klubipääty show their colours before kick off. Image by Niko Karumaa (link)

Stadin Kingit unfurled their tifo as they lit up Pohjoispääty (north stand). Image by Kalevi Hämäläinen (link)

Once the smoke subsided the match got underway. The fans were duly rewarded for the intense atmosphere they had created with a high tempo match featuring a flurry of early goals.

The hosts were ahead in just the second minute when Colombian striker Alfredo Morelos beat his marker to Taye Taiwo's cross to head in the opening goal and send the HJK fans into delirium.

Their lead was short lived as HIFK hit back in the fifth minute with the equalising goal. Joni Korhonen's long throw was helped on by Jukka Sinisalo's flicked header for Juho Mäkelä. The former HJK striker failed to connect with his finish, inadvertently knocking the ball on for captain Esa Terävä to tuck the ball past Thomas Dähne and level the scores.

Klubi soon restored their lead in the eleventh minute when Atom curved an inch perfect ball over HIFK's backline for Odu. The AC Milan loanee controlled the ball gracefully on his chest before bursting across the box to leave two defenders and goalkeeper Carljohan Eriksson floundering in his wake. With the open goal at his mercy the Nigerian winger placed home the simplest of finishes for what would prove to be the decisive goal.

A HJK fan expresses his opinion of Mäkelä's
choice of rival employer by burning his old jersey.
Image by Niko Karumaa (link)

Morelos came close to doubling his tally and his side's advantage around the hour mark yet could only direct his header into the side netting.

At the other end Mäkelä should have equalised when a left wing delivery put the goal on a plate for him, yet his horrendous day in front of goal continued as he knocked his finish over the crossbar and into the HIFK supporters before collapsing to the ground in disbelief of his misfortune. Perhaps it was best for him that he didn't see HJK fans burning his old jersey in Klubipääty moments later.

HIFK pressed forward in search of an equaliser while the hosts sat deeper to protect their lead and hit their opponents on the counter. The strategy almost backfired in the closing minute as Tuomas Aho came painfully close to levelling the scores with final touch of the game, yet the defender sent his header wide under pressure in the air from Dähne.

The final whistle then sounded, calling a thrilling derby to a close and ensuring that Helsinki remains blue as HJK kept themselves clear at the top of the Veikkausliiga table. HIFK now languish in the relegation scrap in eleventh, level on points with FC Lahti and PK-35 Vantaa who sit in tenth and at the foot of the table in twelfth respectively.

Klubipääty spills over the barrier in the full time celebrations.
Image by Niko Karumaa (link)

The exceptional atmosphere surrounding the encounter provides the perfect advertisement for the modern Finnish game. While the inevitable hostilities of the derby may prove intimidating for both youngsters and the conservative, the adrenaline of the occasion speaks to any passionate football fan holding a genuine appreciation of the game and understanding of true fandom.

Whether your blood runs blue or red, or you're a neutral spectator searching Veikkausliiga for a strong pulse, the Stadin Derby is a must. The reverse fixture is scheduled for August 10th. Be there.

5-star second half returns Klubi to summit

HJK returned to winning ways at Sonera Stadium on Wednesday evening, producing a rampant second half performance to down FC Ilves by a 5-1 scoreline and return to the peak of the Veikkausliiga table.

Ilves gave the home fans a nervous opening half with a well organised performance. The Tampere-based club capped off their disciplined opening half with the opening goal of the match courtesy of Tuure Siira's calm finish.

Club legend Mikael Forssell got the ball rolling for HJK in the second half. The 35-year old marked his first start of the campaign with a quickfire brace shortly after the restart to turn the match on its head.

Mikael Forssell celebrates the equaliser. Image by Mika Vauhkonen (gallery link)

The hosts then ran away with the match with goals to Odu, debutant Sebastian Dahlström, and captain Ville Jalasto turning a tense battle into a comfortable victory.

Klubi went into the clash without a win in their previous two matches, which included a scoreless draw in Åland against IFK Mariehamn followed by a shock 1-0 loss to mid-table PS Kemi.

The latter result was fought out on an atrocious pitch in Oulu; PS Kemi's temporary base while their stadium renovations conclude over the coming month over 100km north in Kemi in south-western Lapland by the Swedish border. A goal in the opening minute condemned the visitors to their first loss of the season, allowing IFK Mariehamn to knock HJK from their perch with a 1-0 win against today's opponents Ilves.

Ilves were however not to be underestimated having defeated both KuPS and SJK in the earlier fixtures of a slender opening schedule which had seen them play just three matches in comparison to HJK's six.

Summer vibes were in the air going into the match as clear skies and 19 degree Celsius temperatures drew 6,081 supporters to Töölö's Sonera Stadium.

Klubi had shuffled their deck for today's starting line-up, with Forssell featuring in the first eleven for the first time this season along with 19-year old Dahlström who made an impressive debut.

They were again slow out of the blocks, as they have been in recent weeks, as an organised Ilves kept the hosts at a distance while threatening from set pieces in the opening exchanges.

Tuure Siire celebrates his opening goal.
Image by Mika Vauhkonen (image gallery)

The visitors grabbed a hard earned lead to take into the interval when Ghanaian midfielder Reuben Ayarna threaded an inch perfect pass from the left flank to the edge of the 18-yard box for Siira to slot home to opening goal on the half hour mark.

An inspirational half-time team was needed and HJK manager Mika Lekhasuo delivered as his side returned rejuvenated for the second half with new-found ruthlessness in front of goal as they netted five goals in a period of twenty second-half minutes.

They were level soon after the restart when Odu capped off an amazing solo run with a brilliant cross for Forssell who nodded home the equaliser with the simplest of headers for his first goal of the season.

Forssell was handed the chance for his second from the penalty spot before the hour mark after Felipe Aspegren felled Dahlström in the box to cap off a period of sloppy defensive work from Ilves. The Finnish international made no mistake, sending the keeper one way with a stuttered run-up before tucking the ball into the open half of the goal.

It was to be Forssell's last involvement as he left the field to a standing ovation for substitute Nikolai Alho to enter the fray for the final half hour.

Ilves looked deflated and HJK took full advantage as they proceeded to quickly run away with the match.

After the visitor's coughed up possession to Medo in their own half, HJK quickly countered through Alfredo Morelos and Atom. The Japanese midfielder's final pass took a fortunate deflection off Heikki Aho to send Odu through one-on-one with the keeper. The chance was so clear that Morelos could have nicked the goal himself, however he unselfishly left the ball for Odu to tuck the ball inside the near post.

Minutes later Klubi had their fourth. Atom broke down the left and crossed for Morelos who was again unselfish, casually teeing up Dahlström on the edge of the box. The teenager capped off his debut with a side footed finish to draw wild celebrations from the crowd who could barely believe the turnaround they were witnessing.

HJK were not done there. Moments after bringing on substitute Richard Gadze for his debut they wrapped up an impressive win with a short corner routine. Alho played a sharp one-two with Odu before whipping a curved ball into the 6-yard box for Jalasto who tucked the ball past a hapless Mika Halander in the Ilves goal to seal an impressive victory.

Rexhepi was dismissed late on.
Image by Mika Vauhkonen (image gallery)

The only blemish to the host's second half came with the late dismissal of Lux Rexhepi. The Finnish-born Kosovo international showed too many studs to Lauri Ala-Myllymäki in a reckless and unnecessary tackle to earn himself a marginally early shower.

The late red card did little to dampen the spirits of the home fans as they kept the atmosphere up until the final whistle before celebrating the tremendous result with the players who as usual showed their appreciation to Klubipääty at full-time.

In other results IFK Mariehamn's scoreless draw with PK-35 Vantaa allowed HJK to take top spot on goal difference. Elsewhere the remaining home sides were victorious as KuPS defeated PS Kemi 2-0 while VPS downed HIFK 3-1 in Kuopio and Vaasa respectively.