The Finnish Youth (U-18) Championship: A Closer Look at the Division and Opportunities for HS “Rīga-17”

The Finnish Youth (U-18) Championship is quite simple and at the same time complex. In the elite group, or U18 SM-sarja, 24 teams are playing, divided according to strength – a dozen start the tournament in the so-called strongest Ylempi group, the other dozen – in the slightly weaker – Alempi group.

On the other hand, in the second level of Finnish youth, U18 Mestis, there are three groups – two of 13 teams, one of 15 teams. After the first stage – 18 games, the winner of each U18 Mestis group goes up, playing in the Alempi group. Among the winners is also HS “Rīga-17”, which won 17 out of 18 Mestis games. With a very good goal difference: 142-28. From November 24 to March 10, games in the Finnish SM-sarja group, where the 13th to 24th teams of Finland play according to strength.

Since all 18 games of HS “Riga” had to be played away – in Finland, I asked the coach of the team, Raimonds VILKOITA (1991).

– Raymond! What is the Finnish U18 Mestis League, where the “Riga” hockey school team plays?

– As in all leagues, there are stronger and weaker opponents, but overall it is a good league for 16-17-year-old boys. For the U-18 team to play against their peers…

2023-11-05 22:01:00
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