League Play-Off

Tampere Stadium
Spectators: 34 (Terracing: 26, Seating: 8, VIP seats: 0) The sun was shining, the grass was green and the audience cheered when Heimo Vanhatalo got the match started through his kick off. The referee was alert and spotted a serious foul by Arvi Hagelberg during the 3rd minute. The player immediately received a yellow card. A collision led to FC Tampere getting a freekick after 3 minutes play. Arvi Hagelberg hit a great ball. Timo Palander took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Silvo Helminen, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Timo Palander took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Oiva Lindfors, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. An unexpectedly hard shot by Heimo Vanhatalo in the 8th minute of play forced Savolanvaara IFK's goalkeeper Tauno Kaikkonen to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. In the 13th match minute, FC Tampere was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Vesa Ruohiainen to maneuver through the defense. Tauno Kaikkonen made an important save on a dangerous shot by Vesa Ruohiainen in the 15th minute. 16 minutes into the match, Savolanvaara IFK's goalkeeper Tauno Kaikkonen had to clear away a ball on his right side after a cunning shot by Erno Lumijärvi. After a rather tough play, Savolanvaara IFK's Juha Aho got a free kick in the 17th minute. Vesa Ruohiainen who was well placed in front of the goal fired away a dangerous shot that in the 19thth minute tested the skills of Tauno Kaikkonen when he managed to save the team from getting behind. Heimo Vanhatalo received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 21st minute. Tauno Kaikkonen tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. A hard shot 29 in the game by Vesa Ruohiainen from a close distance when the talented Tauno Kaikkonen managed to make a qualified save. Savolanvaara IFK's players were relieved. In the 31st minute the ball was on its way in behind Savolanvaara IFK's goalkeeper Tauno Kaikkonen, but with the help of a sacrificing defense, he could catch the ball at the crossbar. Tauno Kaikkonen stood for a superb save when he managed to get hold of Heimo Vanhatalo's shot from short distance in the 33rd minute. Tauno Kaikkonen made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Sulho Pyhältö in the 35th minute of play. When Heimo Vanhatalo came up free with the goalie in the 37th minute, the FC Tampere fans jumped to their feet. But the shot missed the goal by a fraction of an inch, and the fans sat back down disappointed that Heimo Vanhatalo couldn't finish the play. When FC Tampere's Heimo Vanhatalo in 41 game minutes managed to cut through with the ball in front of the goal, only having to shoot. Tauno Kaikkonen guarding the goal like a pit bull was extremely focused and managed to reach the ball just by the crossbar before it went in. In the 44th minute Heimo Vanhatalo shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Tauno Kaikkonen saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line.

The players of the home team were most fresh-looking when they entered the field to play the second half. Oiva Lindfors was the one to do the kick off. Vesa Ruohiainen struck a weak shot in the 52nd minute. Tauno Kaikkonen didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for FC Tampere. An unexpectedly hard shot by Heimo Vanhatalo in the 54th minute of play forced Savolanvaara IFK's goalkeeper Tauno Kaikkonen to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Juha Pitkämäki scored 2-0 in the 56th match minute with a shot that went into the goal to the right of Tauno Kaikkonen, who was just a little too slow in reacting to the shot. In the 60thth minute of the game Vesa Ruohiainen who was perfectly placed tried to make a shot on goal, but Savolanvaara IFK's Tauno Kaikkonen was lucky and managed to grab hold of the ball. Tauno Kaikkonen made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Heimo Vanhatalo in the 61st minute of play. Aaro Myllyniemi's late challenge caught a FC Tampere's player on the shin and left him crawling around in pain. The referee blew his whistle and produced the yellow card. Aaro Myllyniemi helped the player get up and apologised. Aaro Myllyniemi kicked well hit freekick during the 63rd minute of the match. Vesa Ruohiainen sent away a hard shot on goal in the 67th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Heimo Vanhatalo hit a great freekick 70 minutes into the match. In the 75th minute of the match Juha-Pekka Kuusela sent off a long shot with destination to the right of the goalkeeper, but Tauno Kaikkonen skillfully saved the ball. The supporters of Savolanvaara IFK booed when FC Tampere was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 77 match minutes in a wonderful position. Erno Lumijärvi didn't get a good kick on the ball. Savolanvaara IFK's Tauno Kaikkonen played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Sulho Pyhältö in the 81st minute of play. Vesa Ruohiainen sent away a hard shot on goal in the 85th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance.