Ilves

Ground: Tammelan Stadion

Visits: 1

Date: 6th July 2024

Match: Ilves - HJK 3-0 (Veikkausliiga)

Attendance: 7 952

The main reason for going to Finland was the opportunity to visit the redeveloped Tammelan Stadion for Ilves v HJK. In 2012 I had time to kill, while changing trains in Tampere, on my way to Jyväskylä and made it to Tammelan Stadion for some groundspotting. In 2019 I could finally tick off the old version of the ground when I attended Ilves v KPV. I had been advised Ilves v HJK would most likely sell out and as soon as tickets went on sale I purchased one online. A week or so ago the match was officially sold-out and I knew I had something really special to look forward to.

My day started in Helsinki and at 10.19 I boarded the train to Tampere. As I arrived in Tampere around noon there was light rain coming down but I made it to my hotel without getting too wet. Kick-off was at 15.00 and 90 minutes prior I entered the ground. The new Tammelan Stadion was originally set to have a capacity of 6,500 and meeting the UEFA category 3 criteria. Additional funding was added though and the capacity is now 8,000 which means it meets the UEFA category 4 criteria. The complex also includes a shopping centre, parking and auxiliary facilities on the ground level of the stadium. In early 2024 the new ground was opened and Finland has a great new football ground. Apart from Ilves there are also several teams in the lower divisions playing at the artificial pitch.

As the teams entered the pitch both sets of fans displayed tifos and this was definitely something different than an ordinary Finnish league game. HJK brought around 1,000 fans to Tampere this afternoon but it wasn't to be their day. 2-0 to Ilves after 15 minutes and despite a good vocal support (and some pyro) HJK lost 3-0 to Ilves. The home fans in the stand to my right celebrated a memorable win and Ilves are now really involved in the title race. The result today also means KuPS can go top of the league when I watch them tomorrow. I fully enjoyed my visit to the new Tammelan Stadion and football fans in Tampere can be proud of their new ground.