The Jokiedu Cup 2018 goes to Ylivieskassa. Even with the smallest squad of all teams and in between having only 7 players on the field, it was a deserved tournament victory. Following are some of my notes from the games.

1. game FCY vs. FC-92 1-0

5. The first scene of the tournament and the first goal: Jemina lobs the ball to the goal, but the keeper paries it. The ball bounces back and Siina gets fouled in the penalty area when attempting to shoot the rebound to the goal. The game continues and Leonna shoots the ball from a distance into the goal, 1-0.

8. A mistimed crossball almost lands in our goal.

9. Leonna has to save twice within few moments after too lax defending behaviour.

14. Siina passes to Anette who shoots from short distance, but above the goal.

14. Kiia passes to Siiri, but the keeper saves her shot. Anette's rebound hits the post. Nivala initiates a quick counter attack and almost scores the equaliser.

15. Siina passes to Siiri, but the keeper saves her shot.

17. Ilona intercepts the ball and quickly shoots at the goal. The keeper saves again.

20. Kiia almost scores after a corner. The counter attack almost leads to a goal.

20.+1 The referee oversees a clear 5 meters offside position. The shots hits our crossbar. That would have been a really annoying goal.

2. game FCY vs. K-Pallo 8-0

3. Throwin Kiia, Siina tunnels the keeper, 1-0.

5. Ronja passes to Siina. Chip above the keeper, 2-0.

7. Throwin Kiia, Siina into the left corner, 3-0.

8. Anette shoots from the corner of the penalty area, 4-0.

9. Ronja runs down the right wing and puts the ball into the short corner, 5-0.

11. Anette passes tpo Siiri, shot into the left corner, 6-0.

13. First attack for Kalajoki. Kiia clears. Corner. No danger.

18. Siiri passes to Ronja, run down the right wing, shot, 7-0.

19. Jemina does a chilled solo from our own half to the opponent's penalty area where she puts a "bomb" into the net, 8-0.

3. game FCY vs. HauPa 1-1

2. Jemina is injured and the also injured Kiia comes in for her. Basically, 7v8 now.

4. The defense reacts too slowly and the opponent scores the 0-1.

10. Not our game so far. First chance now for Ilona, but the shot goes straight to the keeper.

11. The team needs to learn to work backwards and help the defense.

13. Ilona scores the 1-1 out of nowhere.

16. It's like the whole team dreams together. Luckily Pinja is awake and protects her goal.

18. Kiia cannot continue. Now we're only 7.

20. Luckily, HauPa wasn't able to exploit our week game this time.

4. game FCY vs. FC Raahe 2-0

Jemina cannot play. Kiia is injured. Sofia is injured Ronja is sick. Basically, only 6 fit players are on the field.

2. Ilona intercepts the ball and makes a solo through everyone. At the end she puts the ball flat into the corner, 1-0.

9. Siiri scores the 2-0.

14. Siiri is fouled on her way to the goal. The penalty shot hits the left post. No goal.

16. Siina shoots at the right post.

20. The opponent had only one corner in 20 minutes. Thus our victory is deserved.

5. game FCY vs. KiuPa 3-0

1. After 17 seconds, Anette puts a crossball from Kiia behind the line, an early 1-0.

11. After 10 minutes of nothing happening, Anette marks the 2-0.

13. Siina shoots at the post. Siiri gets the yellow card. I don't know why.

15. An opponent gets injured badly and needs to be carried from the field. We hope she is alright again.

16. Corner from the left, Anette puts the ball to her sister Siina who scores from short distance, 3-0.

20. One freekick for KiuPa was their best chance. With only 1 goal against in 5 games, we qualified for the final.

Final game FCY vs. HauPa

HauPa was the only team that scored against us and also got a point. Our situation was still grim with still 3 injured players and 1 sick player. Jemina had to play even with her injury. The opponent had a big squad and did a serious warmup while we were basically just treating our wounds. What would the game bring under these conditions?

1. Ronja wins a first ball and sends Siina towards the goal. The keeper rushes out of her goal and the defender who tries to save the scene, puts the ball into the empty net. A quick 1-0, unlucky for HauPa.

10. It's an open game, but our defense, now with Ilona as central defender, stands much more secure now. Not one ball makes it to Pinja.

12. We have a huge counter attack chance with Siiri and Siina, but the keeper saves twice extraordinarily on the goalline. Just moments later, Anette hits a tough shot shortly above the crossbar. But another few seconds later, Siina tunnels the keeper and eventually scores the 2-0.

15. The first chance for the opponent. Pinja secures the ball. The immediate counter attack through Anette leads to another unlucky own goal, 3-0.

18. After our fourth corner, Siiri scores the first headball goal of the season, 4-0.

20. One last corner for the opponent hits the net of the goal.

After the game, a happy group of players raised the cup into the air. Well done. Thanks to FC-92 Nivala for organising this nice tournament. Everything went smoothly.