HJK Helsinski won their fourth straight Veikkausliiga title after a final-day 6-3 victory at JJK Jyväskylä, while Valkeakosken Haka were relegated in dramatic fashion.
HJK coach Antti Muurinen with the Veikkausliiga trophy
HJK Helsinki retained the Veikkausliiga title on the final day of the Finnish season, lifting the trophy for the fourth successive year after a convincing 6-3 victory at JJK Jyväskylä.
A three-point lead, coupled with a vastly superior goal difference, over FC Inter Turku meant that HJK were in a position of strength going into their 33rd and last league game of 2012. Three goals in the opening 20 minutes – from Sebastian Mannström, Rasmus Schüller and Joel Pohjanpalo – set them on their way to their 19th win of the campaign and extinguished Inter's slim hopes.
Inter lost 3-0 at cup winners FC Honka Espoo, but finished runners-up and will play in next season's UEFA Europa League qualifying rounds alongside third-placed TPS Turku.
The battle against relegation also went to the last. Valkeakosken Haka trailed FF Jaro by a point at kick-off, but their hopes were raised when they took a 1-0 lead at VPS Vaasa and Jaro fell behind against TPS. Jaro, however, turned the game around for a 2-1 win, meaning Haka's three points were in vain. Haka will be replaced in the top flight by Ykkönen champions RoPS Rovaniemi.
HJK are the most successful club in Finland with a record 25 league championships, 14 more than nearest rivals FC Haka and HPS Helsinki, who have nine apiece.
HJK finished the season 19-7-7 with 63 goals for and 33 goals against
