Lahti is about an hour by train from Helsinki, & you can't miss the ground as the train approaches the town, as on the left you see the huge ski slope behind one of the goals! It's about a fifteen minute stroll to the stadium, programmes were given away free, & admission was 15 euros.
It's basically a two sided ground, with seating down both sides. Instead of a complete circuit like we usually do we're going to go into the main stand, cover that, then head over to the other side.
![](http://lh5.ggpht.com/_4Tuyez2ROzA/SnMrBVpsiLI/AAAAAAAAEAg/Xw_NB7ByI6w/s400/PICT0089.jpg)
The ground is at the heart of a huge multi-sports complex.
![](http://lh4.ggpht.com/_4Tuyez2ROzA/SnMq8ZjLopI/AAAAAAAAEAc/EY2Im7DKrp0/s400/PICT0086.jpg)
You have to buy your tickets from these booths just outside.
![](http://lh3.ggpht.com/_4Tuyez2ROzA/SnMqmDeb1sI/AAAAAAAAEAU/47bmyHMBuGI/s400/PICT0081.jpg)
Just beyond the one I queued at was this sculpture of a skier, or maybe ski jumper. I don't know who this is though.
![](http://lh6.ggpht.com/_4Tuyez2ROzA/SnMq0tRQfVI/AAAAAAAAEAY/YItK97mk2p4/s400/PICT0085.jpg)
This is the side of the main stand, with various sports highlighted on the side.
![](http://lh4.ggpht.com/_4Tuyez2ROzA/SnMrS6uFiyI/AAAAAAAAEAs/Zq029I_Te08/s400/PICT0092.jpg)
This was the footballer at the bottom of it.
![](http://lh4.ggpht.com/_4Tuyez2ROzA/SnMrHGYwIlI/AAAAAAAAEAk/m1XofFlhkXQ/s400/PICT0090.jpg)
Below that was this plaque, unfortunately I have no translation.
![](http://lh3.ggpht.com/_4Tuyez2ROzA/SnMrNFI7kSI/AAAAAAAAEAo/Zb4ZCkTyWds/s400/PICT0091.jpg)
There were no actual turnstiles, just these gates where tickets were checked.
![](http://lh5.ggpht.com/_4Tuyez2ROzA/SnMrcUDcjeI/AAAAAAAAEAw/qmLRs6tkh7c/s400/PICT0093.jpg)
As I was taking a snap of the 'ticket barriers' these two got in the way. My initial thought was 'get out of the bloody way!'. But it actually made a half decent photo.
![](http://lh5.ggpht.com/_4Tuyez2ROzA/SnMrmjc7nAI/AAAAAAAAEA0/nB27BRJWZuE/s400/PICT0094.jpg)
Here's another, right by the gate. a box of programmes were on the table, and you take them yourself, with some being given out too. Being English I took half a dozen! ;-)
![](http://lh3.ggpht.com/_4Tuyez2ROzA/SnMrzbQ2zAI/AAAAAAAAEA4/a6xXdbWnBTY/s400/PICT0095.jpg)
This was one of the food and drink stands.
![](http://lh6.ggpht.com/_4Tuyez2ROzA/SnMr-sz85nI/AAAAAAAAEA8/9-tcBNXbWBQ/s400/PICT0096.jpg)
Inside I headed straight for the ski slope! This photo deosn't do it justice. It was huge, & dominates the skyline.
![](http://lh4.ggpht.com/_4Tuyez2ROzA/SnMsGJ9wWrI/AAAAAAAAEBA/thMeDJfqo8Y/s400/PICT0097.jpg)
From this end of the stand we can see behind the goal, not a spectator area, but there is the big electronic scoreboard.
![](http://lh5.ggpht.com/_4Tuyez2ROzA/SnMsQpsjXcI/AAAAAAAAEBE/B9G_tgC4whc/s400/PICT0098.jpg)
From this end of the stand we look over to the open bank of seats opposite.
![](http://lh6.ggpht.com/_4Tuyez2ROzA/SnMseAaK_tI/AAAAAAAAEBI/wvmMVMNB1Mo/s400/PICT0099.jpg)
I start moving along the stand, & here we look back down it.
![](http://lh6.ggpht.com/_4Tuyez2ROzA/SnMsox1bRpI/AAAAAAAAEBM/92fmm8qRmkI/s400/PICT0100.jpg)
From further along, towards the section where my ticket is for, we look across the pitch again.
![](http://lh6.ggpht.com/_4Tuyez2ROzA/SnMszValjHI/AAAAAAAAEBQ/xfQs5f9PypE/s400/PICT0101.jpg)
From my seat I look down the stand, no escape from the ski slope!
![](http://lh3.ggpht.com/_4Tuyez2ROzA/SnMtFc_Cl-I/AAAAAAAAEBc/N4w_Vj6tcLI/s400/PICT0103.jpg)
To my right were this group, they were the 'hardcore' of the Lahti fans, who sang throughout the match.
![](http://lh4.ggpht.com/_4Tuyez2ROzA/SnMtN6oJVEI/AAAAAAAAEBg/CRksUH2ZbrA/s400/PICT0104.jpg)
The seats in front, just before kick off.
![](http://lh3.ggpht.com/_4Tuyez2ROzA/SnMtYGKn3zI/AAAAAAAAEBk/e9mJRQA87mg/s400/PICT0105.jpg)
But in the corner in front of me there's lots of empty seats.
![](http://lh5.ggpht.com/_4Tuyez2ROzA/SnMtgRLQvuI/AAAAAAAAEBo/So_Jbwre8Fg/s400/PICT0106.jpg)
From my 'corner' we look behind the goal. you're not allowed to stand behind there.
![](http://lh5.ggpht.com/_4Tuyez2ROzA/SnMs9SFg56I/AAAAAAAAEBY/Ao87ZYnI5Zk/s400/PICT0102.jpg)
A similar shot, but showing more of the terracing in the corner.
![](http://lh5.ggpht.com/_4Tuyez2ROzA/SnMtq0WCYQI/AAAAAAAAEBs/Nce1kwSyss8/s400/PICT0107.jpg)
From this corner we look across the pitch, for a bit of goalmouth action.
![](http://lh6.ggpht.com/_4Tuyez2ROzA/SnMtxtssAUI/AAAAAAAAEBw/B__7CkjprAI/s400/PICT0108.jpg)
This small bit of seating is on the curve, in the open, next to the main stand, with the terracing next to it. I
would hazard a guess that this is designed with the athletics in mind.
![](http://lh4.ggpht.com/_4Tuyez2ROzA/SnMt9VrTYCI/AAAAAAAAEB0/m1Uk0Hhd5FA/s400/PICT0110.jpg)
From near the front we look along the stand again.
![](http://lh5.ggpht.com/_4Tuyez2ROzA/SnMuJZJAj9I/AAAAAAAAEB4/r26RlG3STNs/s400/PICT0111.jpg)
Now we're moving behind the goal.
![](http://lh6.ggpht.com/_4Tuyez2ROzA/SnMuby5zNlI/AAAAAAAAEB8/zB-m6G_mTY0/s400/PICT0112.jpg)
From a football ground perspective this is a curious bit of terracing.
![](http://lh5.ggpht.com/_4Tuyez2ROzA/SnMupXkY8GI/AAAAAAAAECA/Jy5rYfMuFq0/s400/PICT0113.jpg)
From down here we get a full length shot of the main stand.
![](http://lh6.ggpht.com/_4Tuyez2ROzA/SnMuz_Mj0-I/AAAAAAAAECE/SIREZwLK5jg/s400/PICT0114.jpg)
And across the pitch to the ski slope. You can get some sense of how huge it is from here.
![](http://lh4.ggpht.com/_4Tuyez2ROzA/SnMu68k18vI/AAAAAAAAECI/7cluz0NH9kY/s400/PICT0115.jpg)
The refreshment stand behind the goal, busy at half time.
![](http://lh4.ggpht.com/_4Tuyez2ROzA/SnMvITWfpxI/AAAAAAAAECM/8fQ7n_em0Rs/s400/PICT0116.jpg)
There was some renovation work going on at this end, perhaps why no spectators were allowed to stand here.
![](http://lh5.ggpht.com/_4Tuyez2ROzA/SnMvTgRbfNI/AAAAAAAAECQ/JKqf1eGpqSo/s400/PICT0117.jpg)
Another look over the pitch, this time with the big athletics cage obscuring some of the view.
![](http://lh4.ggpht.com/_4Tuyez2ROzA/SnMvavxmGII/AAAAAAAAECU/1IpVhTJqfWU/s400/PICT0118.jpg)
From this corner we can look back over to the main stand.
![](http://lh4.ggpht.com/_4Tuyez2ROzA/SnMvmdGbMpI/AAAAAAAAECY/McbtA4DNNqI/s400/PICT0119.jpg)
Now we're heading down the far side, with seating looking as if it has been built over the old terracing.
![](http://lh5.ggpht.com/_4Tuyez2ROzA/SnMvxkxfZdI/AAAAAAAAECc/FzD3DjdKfek/s400/PICT0120.jpg)
Here we look up into the seats...and the bright sun!
![](http://lh5.ggpht.com/_4Tuyez2ROzA/SnMv7KAZZaI/AAAAAAAAECk/xg7sfd0eYX8/s400/PICT0121.jpg)
Climbing up them we look back behind the goal, still a big queue at the sausage stand.
![](http://lh4.ggpht.com/_4Tuyez2ROzA/SnMwKjvGirI/AAAAAAAAECo/-Q8vRg-VQV4/s400/PICT0122.jpg)
Glancing down the open seats, with the ski slope dominating the skyline.
![](http://lh3.ggpht.com/_4Tuyez2ROzA/SnMwS38EDYI/AAAAAAAAECs/3vHg5FDRJjw/s400/PICT0123.jpg)
It's almost as if we're in a park, with the greenery around the top of the seats!
![](http://lh3.ggpht.com/_4Tuyez2ROzA/SnMwbSVu-TI/AAAAAAAAECw/5S8TLjZPvDo/s400/PICT0124.jpg)
A shot of the wooden steps, down the seating.
![](http://lh3.ggpht.com/_4Tuyez2ROzA/SnMwmwfQmyI/AAAAAAAAEC0/os1Zera2Dg8/s400/PICT0126.jpg)
Here we look back over to the section where I was sitting in the first half. Note the floodlights being on. It was bright daylight throughout the whole game, yet they were on full blast from before kick off! Why?
![](http://lh5.ggpht.com/_4Tuyez2ROzA/SnMwtchQ4tI/AAAAAAAAEC4/7ymHeV8Kr-I/s400/PICT0127.jpg)
Across the halfway line, the second half about to kick off.
![](http://lh6.ggpht.com/_4Tuyez2ROzA/SnMw2X_xKzI/AAAAAAAAEC8/NGRRBWxMaQQ/s400/PICT0128.jpg)
From the same spot, but behind us is the camera crew.
![](http://lh4.ggpht.com/_4Tuyez2ROzA/SnMxChF2Z6I/AAAAAAAAEDA/4qs1cE2qoU0/s400/PICT0129.jpg)
Lots of fans happy to sit with the sun in their eyes. This side was cheaper than the other stand, but I don't know by how much.
![](http://lh3.ggpht.com/_4Tuyez2ROzA/SnMxPWuiVaI/AAAAAAAAEDE/-SJxUyoEiCo/s400/PICT0130.jpg)
We're now at the far end of the open stand. The scoreboard all lit up.
![](http://lh4.ggpht.com/_4Tuyez2ROzA/SnMxZxo9eJI/AAAAAAAAEDI/9P74k7OqYCk/s400/PICT0131.jpg)
Not so many supporters sat at this end.
![](http://lh4.ggpht.com/_4Tuyez2ROzA/SnMxkc-3SYI/AAAAAAAAEDM/O1X1K-NBsz4/s400/PICT0132.jpg)
From over here you can see how many are sat in the main stand.
![](http://lh6.ggpht.com/_4Tuyez2ROzA/SnMxvUoNhPI/AAAAAAAAEDQ/TEO7IlDMVUw/s400/PICT0133.jpg)
Here's another similar shot from behind the goal, more central. I had to ask a steward for permission to go and take it, which he kindly did.
![](http://lh6.ggpht.com/_4Tuyez2ROzA/SnMx4lycgtI/AAAAAAAAEDU/uogyympo-Vo/s400/PICT0137.jpg)
Turning back, this is from the front of the open side.
![](http://lh4.ggpht.com/_4Tuyez2ROzA/SnMyETkbRUI/AAAAAAAAEDY/RrsKw2rk3_g/s400/PICT0138.jpg)
On the billboards at the back is an advertisment for the forthcoming
Women's European Championships. Won by Germany.
![](http://lh4.ggpht.com/_4Tuyez2ROzA/SnMyLdoDROI/AAAAAAAAEDc/24drxY1FxUk/s400/PICT0139.jpg)
I'm now heading back to my seat on the dar side opposite.
![](http://lh3.ggpht.com/_4Tuyez2ROzA/SnMyTlRtZWI/AAAAAAAAEDg/mPC5wAjwyqI/s400/PICT0140.jpg)
Home fans flying their flag above them, and celebrating a goal.
![](http://lh5.ggpht.com/_4Tuyez2ROzA/SnMybQloSeI/AAAAAAAAEDk/G_dDQHjkM6k/s400/PICT0141.jpg)
Still cheering their team. Note the steep terrace in the background. That is for the ski jump!
![](http://lh6.ggpht.com/_4Tuyez2ROzA/SnMyja41XZI/AAAAAAAAEDo/f2uVY_rfD44/s400/PICT0144.jpg)
Game over & the Lahti fans celebrate victory.
![](http://lh3.ggpht.com/_4Tuyez2ROzA/SnMyq8WUgGI/AAAAAAAAEDs/K6B8oY48eZk/s400/PICT0146.jpg)
The players start to come over to salute them.
![](http://lh4.ggpht.com/_4Tuyez2ROzA/SnMyzVGz1wI/AAAAAAAAEDw/f_1agqEXSlo/s400/PICT0148.jpg)
And the fans respond.
![](http://lh5.ggpht.com/_4Tuyez2ROzA/SnMy7D0t2zI/AAAAAAAAED4/Kt032FpvTcE/s400/PICT0149.jpg)
Now the game is over I head behind the main stand.
![](http://lh4.ggpht.com/_4Tuyez2ROzA/SnMzpZgT3aI/AAAAAAAAEEQ/n33pxX8bBDo/s400/PICT0161.jpg)
I go back into the main stand to get a couple more shots, when it is empty.
![](http://lh6.ggpht.com/_4Tuyez2ROzA/SnMzS7dPs7I/AAAAAAAAEEE/WJBRnDScNk8/s400/PICT0152.jpg)
I hadn't noticed 'Lahti' spelt out in the seats opposite, until now.
![](http://lh3.ggpht.com/_4Tuyez2ROzA/SnMzcmFRaEI/AAAAAAAAEEI/3E7hfBZ3btg/s400/PICT0153.jpg)
These are the press seats.
![](http://lh6.ggpht.com/_4Tuyez2ROzA/SnMzCWpNl8I/AAAAAAAAED8/oXHQ1aXMeyI/s400/PICT0150.jpg)
One last look at the main stand, from the ski jump end.
![](http://lh3.ggpht.com/_4Tuyez2ROzA/SnMzkCaLmaI/AAAAAAAAEEM/FltouH5GUDg/s400/PICT0155.jpg)
And it's at the ski jump where we end our tour of FC Lahti, right where we started it.
![](http://lh5.ggpht.com/_4Tuyez2ROzA/SnMzKTe45SI/AAAAAAAAEEA/kMcQ28-Ah5Q/s400/PICT0151.jpg)