Otto Ruoppi assures that a possible club transfer is not on his mind.
Otto Ruoppi got on the field and immediately scored a really important goal for KuPS. Mika Kylmäniemi / AOP
Otto Ruopilla19, has a real bull week underway.
The player from Kuopio played on Tuesday against Spain in a Finnish shirt. Tuesday night in Castellón ended with a stinging 1-2 loss, when the Pikkuhuuhkajat lost their lead at the end of the match.
After that, Ruoppi had time to sleep for about an hour before heading to the airport in Spain.
– On Wednesday we were in Helsinki-Vantaa, and then I came to Tampere. At nine o’clock I was at the hotel, so it was quite a long day of travel, the KuPS star said.
On Thursday, a high-stakes match against Ilves was waiting. Thanks to a 1–1 draw, KuPS kept one point difference and the top spot.
Ruoppi got on the field in the 80th minute and just about a minute later he scored a cross Piotr Parzyszek to the equalizing goal. The British press would talk from supersub.
At the same time, KuPS was saved from its fourth defeat of the season against Ilves.
– In a certain way, some kind of troll now left the shoulders. Ilves has been really challenging for us this season. It’s a quality gang, but we’ve also been weak in our previous encounters.
“No problem”
Polish striker Piotr Parzyszek (second left) completed the equalizer through the post. Mika Kylmäniemi / AOP
Ilves took strong control in the opening period of the match. KuPS ran for long stretches after the hosts’ ball rally.
However, it protected its own box admirably, and it was 0-0 at the break.
– Of course we also want to stay on the ball, but we made a certain kind of plan change compared to previous Ilves matches. I don’t think we had any problems. More care was emphasized during the break, Ruoppi said.
In the 54th minute, the Tammela stadium was engulfed in a storm of screams. Maksim Styopin cut in from the right and shot a beautiful shot into the back corner.
– After the goal, we became a little too passive, Ilves’ young promise Otto Tiitinen regretted.
Jarkko Wissin KuPS succeeded in reacting during the match. The players who came from the exchange raised its level, while the legs of the Ilves players started to get tired.
Commanded to the field at the same time as Ruop Bob So Merciful started the attack that led to the equalizing goal by passing three Ilves players. Then Ruoppi crossed, and Parzyszek shot through the post with his crossbar.
– A really nice finish from Piotr, Ruoppi beamed.
There are inquiries
According to Otto Tiitinen, Ilves became passive after the lead goal. Mika Kylmäniemi / AOP
Ruoppi, who recorded 6+5 performances in the Veikkausliiga, is rapidly playing in a tougher league than himself for next season.
It also means money for KuPS. A couple of weeks ago, the CEO Tomi Erola admitted that Ruop is being questioned a lot.
– I haven’t really thought about it yet. There are still close to 10 games left in the season, Ruoppi said and referred to KuPS’ Euro matches in addition to the league games.
The championship is still in KuPS’ own hands.
– It doesn’t help too much to look at the standings, you have to go game by game.