The next home match is against NoPS 3, the team that we beat comfortably 2-8 in the away match in Siuro at the beginning of June. It would be easy to look past an opponent that has only managed one point in thirteen matches while conceding 92 goals. However, the reality is that even in this match victory cannot be had without putting in some real work. Indeed, even that 2-8 away victory was just 0-2 at the half, and as late as at the 73rd minute it was still only 2-4. Granted, our victory was never really in question, and the small field in Siuro benefits the fitnessly challenged NoPS 3, but nevertheless we cannot take even this match too lightly. However, if we approach the match the right way, it should be very easy to cruise into a large-margin victory.

I actually find the dynamic of NoPS 3 matches very interesting. A spectator who doesn’t know what always happens might watch the first 15-30 minutes of a typical NoPS 3 match thinking that it could go either way. However, if the other team is willing to put in enough work, the match almost inevitably turns into a slaughter. Every once in a while there is an exception to this, but those are few and far between.

The match kicks off on Tuesday at 7:15 pm at Kaukajärvi. This is our last home match there, and I’ll feel a little wistful when we move to Ikuri for the rest of the season. Lots of good memories have been made at Kaukajärvi this season. And for me personally, it is the suburb of Tampere where I grew up. Hopefully we will go out with goals galore – and of course the all important three points. Lastly, I do not have a very clear idea who all will be available for this match, but the reality is that it should not matter.