Inter Turku claim first title in Finland
Monday, October 27, 2008
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FC International Turku have won their first domestic title in Finland after a 2-0 win at FF Jaro on the last day of the season, with coach Job Dragtsma concluding: "We played a very good season and deserved to win the title."
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Final fixtures
In the final round of Veikkausliiga fixtures, Inter Turku secured top spot with their victory, rivals FC Honka Espoo finished second despite a 3-2 defeat at IFK Mariehamn, and FC Lahti climbed to third with a 1-0 triumph at HJK Helsinki. All three clubs in the medal positions could celebrate best ever top-flight campaigns, with none having earned podium spots before.
Defensive rigour
The biggest celebrations of all were in Turku, where an impressively miserly defence helped Inter take the crown and a place in the 2009/10 UEFA Champions League qualifying rounds. Inter conceded just 12 goals in 26 league games, prompting Dragtsma to say: "We have an excellent defence but this season we were also more successful in scoring goals."
Ups and downs
At the other end of the table, FC KooTeePee were relegated, while JJK Jyväskylä have been promoted to the Veikkausliiga for the first time. KuPS Kuopio and FC Viikingit will play a two-legged promotion/relegation play-off. The Finnish Cup semi-finals between HJK and VPS Vaasa, and FC Haka and Honka will be played on Wednesday, before Saturday's final marks the end of the campaign.