The reality ahead of today’s fifth round Regions’ Cup match against FC Kiisto in Vaasa is that realistically we have no chance at all. Even if we had our best lineup available, Kiisto would be the clear favorite, seeing as they are a top team in Kolmonen (two tiers above us) and in fact played in Kakkonen last season. To make things even worse, many of our key players are unavailable, and our backup goalie Kalle Heltonen might be the only player on the bench tonight. However, this is football, so anything is possible. The advantage given by 50 loudly singing supporters should not be disregarded either.

Joonas Kupiainen, Jesse Kupiainen, Petri Vadén, Jan Irjala, Juha Kumara, Timo Kauppinen, Alaa Adeeb, Antti Eijamo, Mohammed El-Harrak, Nawar Karikuss, Ahmed Lakra, Kemal Dedic, Adnan Omerovic, Mika Suonsyrjä. That could be the core of a very successful team in Vitonen. In fact, that damn near is our core, and they will all be absent today, with the exception that Juha Kumara will travel and may play if he feels better than expected. Some of the others listed are injured as well, others cannot get time of work, cannot get a babysitter, are traveling abroad, and so on. A multitude of factors are working against us.

Despite of all these absences, the team that will be traveling to Vaasa is ready to fight. Based on comments that I have heard from within the team, the morale is high. The team will travel on the same bus with more than 40 supporters, so getting into the fighting spirit will come naturally. Nobody is going to give up until it is done.

For the supporters this is in many ways the

best away trip in a long time. Vaasa is about three hours away from Tampere, and we have not had a competitive match, or in fact any match, this far from home since 2010. These long trips bring out the best out of everybody, both on and off the bus. This a route we traveled a lot when Tampere United played in the top tier, and everybody is excited to do it again.

I expect to see phenomenal support for the team tonight, and I expect it to continue regardless of the score. With our help the team has a chance. We bring the bus, they can park it. With a bit of good fortune and lots of fighting spirit a spot in the quarter finals is still a possibility.