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Gallery: Helsinki comes alive for football derby

Before 2015 Helsinki's two biggest football clubs have not been in the same division for 42 years. This year's derbies have so far produced two draws, two sell-out crowds, and lots of excitement in the stands. Yle photographer Tomi Hänninen was on hand on Monday to capture some of the atmosphere around the second derby of the season.

HIFK fans prepare for the derby with Helsinki rivals HJK. Their team overcame the odds to secure a 1-1 draw with a late equaliser, setting off wild celebrations in the crowd. Image: Tomi Hänninen

7.7.2015 11:35Updated 7.7.2015 12:06

Helsinki football fans have waited decades for a derby. The last time both HIFK and HJK were in the same division was way back in 1973, and since then HIFK have trundled around the lower divisions.

Last year they finally won promotion back to the top flight, setting up three derbies with their more successful rivals HJK. The two clubs have historically been divided by language, with HIFK founded by Swedish speakers and HJK preferring Finnish as a working language.

This year the clubs have very different targets. HJK are gunning for their 28th league title and a spot in the Champions League group stages, while low-budget HIFK will be happy just to survive in Veikkausliiga.

The honours were even in Monday's derby, with HIFK's Tommi Vesala grabbing a late equaliser to cancel out Atomu Tanaka's early strike.