KuPS advanced to the first playoff round of the Conference League.
Ibrahim Cissé and Piotr Parzyszek celebrate KuPS’s 2–1 lead goal. PDO
Owner of KuPS Ari Lahti was naturally pleased when he descended from the Selhurst Park vip enclosure to pitch level.
– I don’t understand that Crystal Palace was given an extra corner and allowed to play six minutes of extra time, Lahti said.
– It was really exciting. But these are wonderful moments. An incredible evening.
The 2-2 draw with Crystal Palace means that KuPS’ Euro adventure will continue already in February, when they will face either Polish Lech Poznań or Turkish Samsunspor.
Huuhkajat gambler from Vaasa Daniel Håkans represents Lech Poznań, but maybe the Turkish team would be an easier opponent in mid-February in Tampere’s winter frosts.
– This myth just continues. This is why we are doing this, so that the people of Kuopio get experiences that last a lifetime, Lahti said.
– The party will definitely continue there. You might even run out of beer in one of the pubs, he pointed to almost a thousand celebrating fans from Kuopio.
Lahti said that in addition to his family there was also a new ambassador in the VIP enclosure Teemu Turunen.
– He is from Siilinjärvi. And besides, there were two other guys from Kuopio.
KuPS will play the first round of the Conference League playoffs on February 19 and 26. Then its game will be led by a new head coach.
– I have said that let’s play these games from below first. I would think that we will announce the new head coach at the beginning of next week at the latest, Lahti confirmed to Iltalehte.