Jarkko Wiss already turned his thoughts to Thursday’s European game.
Jarkko Wiss now won the Veikkausliiga championship for the first time as head coach. AOP
Jarkko Wiss has won the Veikkausliiga championship five times now.
He got his first four gold medals in the colors of TPV, HJK and Tampere United as a midfielder, and on Monday the first title as head coach was secured when SJK’s Kasper Paananen slammed the ball into the Ilves goal in extra time given by the referee.
– I’m gathering myself a bit here. This is a pretty tough thing, KuPS coach Wiss says in a tearful voice to Iltalehte.
Tammela ended in a 3–3 draw, which means that going into the last round, KuPS has a four-point lead over Tupsukorvi.
It, in turn, started the championship celebration of the Yellow Yellows already on Monday.
– Here at home, I have watched this game alone and texted with my son, who is there at the game. I had already given up a bit and was going to the bathroom when I heard something happen.
Paananen’s goal was practically the last kick of the match. The SJK attacker got a surprising amount of space inside the Ilves’ forward area.
– I rewind that moment over and over again, Wiss continues, overcome with emotion.
– The phone has been ringing quite a lot here. I’m not leaving this couch anywhere. I’m stuck here.
A rollercoaster of emotions
The head coach spoke in an emphasized calm voice. It was clear that the just ended Ilves–SJK match had taken the 53-year-old Wiss on a rollercoaster of emotions, and now he had to try to calm down.
– We’ve had a really great season, even though we’ve been playing under pressure for a really long time, Wiss continues.
– I am really happy for our players, background workers and supporters.
KuPS became the champion thanks to its superior autumn mood. During the nine rounds of the upper final series, it collected five points more than Ilves and SJK.
Inter, who led the regular season, dropped to only 12 points in the championship, while the Yellow and Yellows’ six wins and two draws have already yielded 20 points so far.
– The key to the championship is the amount of work we have poured onto the field every day since the beginning of December. Our certain level of work has not fluctuated much, Wiss analyzed.
An important win
For a few weeks already, KuPS was clearly neck and neck in the championship race. The most recent Inter home win on Sunday brought the Savo players very close to their second consecutive gold medals.
– I wasn’t really nervous at all the whole day. I doubt that game (Ilves–SJK) will end 4–4, because both are such high-quality and colorful teams, Wiss acknowledged his rivals.
– I believed that we would take care of the matter on Sunday at the latest.
Wiss watched the decisive match from his own sofa at home. AOP
Now the championship is certain. Of course, KuPS still has important football matches ahead of it, because it is fighting for a further place in the UEFA Conference League.
On Thursday, the team will face Slovan Bratislava at the same Tammela stadium.
– Probably now Thursday’s game is more important than Sunday’s game. That’s what I’ve been thinking about the most today.
Wiss still has no certainty about next season’s employer. KuPS would have an option for his services, but it has not been activated yet.
– Let’s enjoy this moment now. Thanks, Wiss ended the call.