FC Inter won the 2026 Veikkausliiga title in Kuopio by beating KuPS 2-0, while HJK drew 3-3 with AC Oulu. The result also completed Inter Turku’s domestic treble after the club won the Liiga Cup and Suomen Cup earlier in 2026.
Inter complete domestic treble
Inter Turku lost twice in 22 regular-season matches, then suffered three defeats in the championship group, including two against HJK. Alie Conteh scored the opener against KuPS and finished the season with 12 goals. HJK’s Mads Borchers won the Veikkausliiga golden boot, while Inter conceded 27 goals.
HJK finish second
HJK went unbeaten in the championship group and gave themselves a chance of winning a first title since 2023. The title would have been HJK’s first in Finland for Pukki since 2011. Joonas Rantanen, HJK’s head coach, said: “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.”
Rantanen also said: “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.”
Pukki and Ring end their careers
The HJK match was the final game in the careers of Teemu Pukki and Alex Ring, who retired in the build-up to the match. Pukki came on at half-time and registered two assists in HJK’s fightback.
At full-time, Pukki said: “Of course, disappointment was the first feeling and sadness. There were a few tears” Referring to receiving a send-off alongside Ring, he said: “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”
Pukki added: “Then I cried a little, but that's okay. But that was part of the story.” He also said: “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”
Celebrations for the champions
Eetu Huuhtanen kept a clean sheet on the final day. At full-time, the goalkeeper said: “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” Before dedicating the win, he said: “My grandmother must have been watching this from heaven. I want to dedicate this to her.”
Inter captain Juuso Hamalainen signed a contract extension the day before the match. He said: “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!”
