HJK won the Stadin Derby 2–1, and moved to the top of the Veikkausliiga.
HJK’s Bojan Radulovic was injured in the last Stadi derby of the season. Matti Raivio / AOP
However, the result will inevitably be overshadowed by the unrest in the stands of the opening period. After 20 minutes of the game, HIFK supporters tried to provoke the opposite end by burning a tifo with the Club logo.
The trick got the desired response, when about twenty of the most ardent HJK fans decided to walk to the side of the field. Their rather optimistic goal was to get to the opposite end to hand over the evildoers.
The only problem was that this entire choreography was well known to the authorities beforehand. The police in riot gear and their snarling service dogs kept the HJK fans safely on their side.
Referee Antti Munukka didn’t hesitate a moment. He blew his whistle throughout the game, and told the teams to pick up a new momentum through the locker rooms.
After the match, HJK top Joona Toivio downplayed the significance of the incident. Of course, it wasn’t the first time the veteran had been riding with a priest.
– Stockholm derbies seemed to be interrupted at some point. There were still a little more – and a little more fanatical people.
– On the surface, the feeling was good in the match.
Toivio played three seasons in Djurgårdens’ shirt before moving to Norway. He did not find the extra break to be useful at all.
– There wasn’t much talk about it, when it wasn’t known how long it would last, the defender said.
– Of course it’s boring when you have to stop the game.
The supporters returned to their seats in about seven minutes.
Hostikka decided
Both head coaches had anticipated that something similar might happen in the Stadi derby. That’s why the interruption was put into effective use.
– Everyone knew how to act. Then when we got to the booth, I used it like a time-out. For us coaches, it offered an opportunity to give instructions to the players, HIFK coach Mixu Paatelainen said.
– Of course, we would hope that we could finish the game at once, HJK colleague Toni Koskela admitted.
The story continues after the picture.
Perparim Hetemaj and Sergeri Eremenko (right) fought for the ball. Matti Raivio / AOP
The incident destabilized HJK’s game, and they had to wait until the 87th minute for the winning goal. Santeri Hostikka placed the ball just in the bottom corner in front of Klubipäädy, who caused the order problems.
– It was a great feeling to score a goal, especially in the derby. I was a little tight. We improved the game in the second period, and we trusted that that goal would still come, Hostikka was happy.
Of course, the striped shirts dominated the second period to their heart’s content, and HIFK couldn’t launch any more organized attacks.
One important reason for Toivio to return to the HJK shirt after a long trip abroad was the opportunity to continue in the European Games.
– Of course I’m disappointed. The offensive game was not what was hoped for. The players fought brilliantly and kept HJK at bay. It’s a shame that there was a small blunder at the end, for which we were punished, Paatelainen admitted.
HIFK got into the match without Roman Eremenko. The playmaker had to be sidelined due to a bump from training. A fairly even performance against HJK, which is superior in terms of material, gives hope for the club’s survival battle.
– Today we showed that our game can be entertaining. But that’s five, we need wins, Paatelainen improved.
Betis on Thursday
The result meant that HJK secured its position in the championship fight. Correspondingly, HIFK’s position as a relegation candidate is even stronger. Behind HJK’s victory, we have to look at how it serves the hosts in view of the opening of the Europa League on Thursday.
Pontus Arajuuri got a wooden leg and walked the corridors of the stadium in pain. His playing in the Europa League opener is uncertain.
Broke his ribs Bojan Radulović is at least on the side.
One important reason for Toivio to return from a long trip abroad to the HJK shirt was the opportunity to continue in the European Games. The early season has been ruined due to hamstring injuries, and even now he doesn’t dare to promise anything, even though he has been in his nineties for a long time.
– Let’s see how we recover from this, the defender said in a dignified manner.
The Helsinki police announced at the end of the evening that a total of 35 arrests remained for the evening.