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Norrvalla FFGround: Vörå Centralidrottsplan Visits: 1 Date: 9th July 2026 Match: Norrvalla FF - Närpes Kraft Akademi 3-2 (Nelonen) Attendance: 100 In recent years I have made (at least) one trip to Finland during the summer and 2026 was not going to be an exception. With the new ground in Jakobstad being completed three weeks after my visit to the old one, Jakobstads Centralplan, last summer I was missing two grounds in Veikkausliiga. Apart from LIV Arena in Jakobstad I was also missing Lemonsoft Stadion (Hietalahden jalkapallostadion) in Vaasa. Unfortunately it was not possible to visit both of them on the same weekend during the summer and I had to plan a trip around one of those grounds. In the end I decided to visit Vaasa and VPS on Friday evening and combine that visit with a visit to the new ground in Kokkola the following day. I booked a flight to Helsinki on Thursday morning and obviously wanted to find a game on Thursday evening as well. At first I was planning to visit the former home of SJK but due to the tango festival in Seinäjoki hotel prices were astronomical. Instead William from Vaasa, who I met last summer at Vasa IFK came to my rescue. He suggested Norrvalla FF v Närpes Kraft Akademi at Vörå Centralidrottsplan and offered to drive. With Vörå being famous in Sweden for KAJ, winners of the 2025 Swedish Eurovision, it was the perfect choice for me. To get to Vaasa I had a flight from CPH to HEL 08.50 and I then needed to catch the 12.36 or 13.36 train from Tikkurila to Seinöjoki where I would change for the 16.32 train to Vaasa. If I missed the 12.36 train I would have only 7 minutes transfer time in Seinöjoki. With 10 minutes to spare I made the 12.36 train, meaning plenty of time in Seinäjoki to get something to eat before making the train to Vaasa. I arrived at 17.28, on time, and 30 minutes later William picked me up outside of my hotel. Danish groundhopper Michael from Odense also joined us and the Nordic trio set off for Vörå in the Swedish speaking countryside outside Vaasa. Norrvalla FF were founded in 1996 when Vörå IF, Oravais IF, Hellnäs Bollklubb and Maxmo Sportklubb merged. At the moment the club is playing in Nelonen (level 6) and being top of the table there is a chance of promotion to Kolmonen. A glorious summer evening, a nice ground and everyone speaking Swedish, what a perfect way to start my trip. Närpes Akademi are in the bottom half of the table but within seven minutes they were leading 2-0, what a start for them against the league leaders. In the 9th minute it was 1-2 and ten minutes later it was 2-2 at Vörå Centralidrottsplan. In the 2nd half only one goal was scored and it was a header giving Norrvalla FF all three points after winning 3-2. A great start to my trip and hopefully the coming days will see plenty of goals as well! 
Match! South Stand South Stand View from the tunnel It´s coming home! West End North side Dug-out East End Players and officials entering
View of play View of play Ski jumping hill View of play South Stand South Stand South Stand |
Kick-off
