VPS secure initial victory against Ilves while Veikkausliiga newcomers TPS remain undefeated
VPS 3-2 Ilves
The team that finished third last season has managed only a single point from their opening four fixtures this year, with Ilves facing an uphill battle following a flawless opening period for VPS, who ultimately clung on for their debut league triumph of 2026.
The match was barely four minutes underway when Vilmer Ronnberg put the hosts in front from a messy corner, and VPS extended their advantage on 27 minutes as Jonathan Muzinga intercepted goalkeeper Faris Krkalic's clearance effort and slotted the ball home into the unguarded goal.
Yet the decisive strike proved to be VPS's third, arriving during added time before the break when Jayden Turfkruier assisted Simon Lindholm. This became vital as Ilves mounted a comeback after the interval, starting with Jardell Kanga converting from the spot just five minutes in, followed by Oskari Multala heading in from a set-piece corner shortly past the hour.
Nevertheless, the Vaasa outfit tightened their defence for the final half-hour and preserved the victory, which propels them temporarily into the upper half of the table with five points. Ilves languish in 11th position with just one point.
TPS 1-1 Gnistan
TPS are thriving upon their return to the elite division, occupying third place and maintaining an unbeaten record courtesy of a dramatic leveller in the 94th minute that prevented Gnistan from claiming their inaugural success of the season. The Helsinki outfit at least picked up their first point, though they still anchor the league standings.
Adeleke Akinyemi evaded the final challenge to latch onto a lengthy punt from custodian Alexandro Craninx, before evading the TPS goalkeeper and easing the ball across the line to hand the away team a 70th-minute advantage.
It appeared the scoreline would stand, but right at the death, Timo Zaal slipped a pass forward for Samuel Anini, who from the left edge of the box, elegantly directed the ball into the far bottom corner to rescue the point.
SJK 1-1 Jaro
A contender for goal of the season arrived just 10 minutes in at Seinajoki, with Luka Wekstrom drifting inside from the flank, unleashing a strike from 35 yards that thundered into the top corner to put Jaro ahead.
However, the goalless Jaro side had to make do with their third consecutive stalemate after a leveller soon after the restart, as Elias Mastokangas found Jeremiah Streng for his second goal this term for SJK, who lead Jaro by a point and position in the table, yet to secure more than one victory.
Two additional fixtures are scheduled for Saturday this weekend, prior to the clash between the Veikkausliiga's longstanding powerhouses, KuPS and HJK, in Kuopio on Sunday.