But the record Finnish champions were unable to add a 34th title, as battling back from 2-0 down to draw 3-3 with AC Oulu wasn’t enough thanks to Inter Turku’s 2-0 win at KuPS, handing the outsiders a first Veikkausliiga win since 2008.
That meant FC Inter completed a domestic treble in 2026, having lifted the Liiga Cup and the Suomen Cup earlier this year.
Despite their triumph, much of the focus remained on the side who had to settle for second place, as the HJK match marked the final game in the illustrious careers of Teemu Pukki and Alex Ring. Pukki came on at half-time and registered two assists in the fightback, but there was no fairy tale ending.
“Of course, disappointment was the first feeling and sadness. There were a few tears,” said an emotional Pukki at full-time.
“I felt like I was still able to hold myself together before that, but then when we were both in that situation, emotions started to run wild for both of us,” he added, referring to receiving a send-off alongside Ring. “Then I cried a little, but that’s okay. But that was part of the story.”
HJK seldom looked like contesting the title for much of the regular season before going unbeaten in the championship group to give themselves a shot at a first title since 2023 and a first in Finland for Pukki since 2011.
“We came close. If we had been told a month or a month and a half ago that we would be in this situation or the situation we were in before this game, we would definitely have accepted it,” he said.
HJK’s head coach, Joonas Rantanen, is only three years Pukki’s senior. He broke down in tears early in the post-match press conference, speaking of his pride in how the team kept going over the season.
“I feel really bad for the players and the team…There were a lot of difficult moments and periods. During this season, we faltered. We faltered often, and our faith was certainly tested, but we didn’t stop doing and acting.”
However, the young coach took full responsibility for the Helsinki side not getting over the line: “Of course I feel responsible for not being able to perform better, especially in the first half. But I am grateful for this team and proud of the story we were able to build.”
Inter Turku celebrate “unbelieveable” win
A lot of the attention was on Helsinki, but the title was actually won in Kuopio, where KuPS had to watch Inter Turku lift the trophy that had been theirs for the previous two seasons.
The Turku side lost three of their championship group matches – including twice to HJK – but ultimately it was losing just twice in 22 regular season matches that got them over the line, despite losing the likes of Loic Essomba and Ilari Kangasniemi during the summer, and juggling a European campaign.
Alie Conteh scored the opener against KuPS to finish with 12 for the season, the most by an FC Inter player, though that was 10 shy of HJK’s Mads Borchers, who won the Veikkausliiga golden boot.
As the saying goes, defence wins championships, and with only 27 goals conceded, Inter Turku had the best defensive record in the division. The last line of defence was Eetu Huuhtanen, who added another clean sheet to his tally on the final day.
“I really couldn’t concentrate, I’d be lying if I said that. I could never have dreamed of anything like this. It’s unbelievable,” said the goalkeeper at full-time, before dedicating the win: “My grandmother must have been watching this from heaven. I want to dedicate this to her.”
While Pukki and Ring retired in the build-up to the match, Inter captain Juuso Hamalainen took the opposite approach when looking to galvanise his side – signing a contract extension the day before the crunch match. Whether it had an effect or not, he was still able to celebrate the title.
“Being able to do work and make history as captain in this club is an indescribable feeling! Pukki and Ring tried to ignite their teammates by deciding to quit, and I tried a different trick by continuing my career. It helped!” Hamalainen laughed.
Review the 2026 Veikkausliiga season on Flashscore.
