The former team of Pippen and Rodman will replace «Honka» in qualification
13september
The famous Finnish club «Torpan Poyat» will replace another representative of this country, «Honka» in VTB United League qualifying tournament. The decision was accepted after the club from Espoo announced its bankruptcy and elimination from all tournaments in the upcoming season. At the same time «Honka» leading players, as well as its General Manager, Sampsa Rekonen moved to «Torpan Poyat» from Helsinki.
A few days ago the General Director of VTB United League Andrey Shirokov returned from Helsinki where he conducted negotiations with the management of «Torpan Pojat». It was decided to include the finish team to the teams-participants of the qualifying tournament in Lithuanian Siauliai.
- We managed to work operatively with uneasy situation that arose after the bankruptcy of «Honka», - said Andrey Shirokov. - We still wanted to see Finland among the countries-partners of the League and, I think, we weren't mistaken with a choice of «Torpan Poyat». This is - one of the oldest and most titled clubs of the country. Earlier «Torpan Poyat» participated in the championship of North-European League - NEBL. For this team have been playing such NBA stars as Scottie Pippen and Dennis Rodman (Rodman played for «Torpan Poyat» one match in 2005, and Pippen in 2008 played for this team three times - approx. site). I hope that the club from Helsinki will perform worthily in the qualifying tournament. After all, Hanno Mottola and other players of Finland play for the team, and the team played greatly at the European Championship in Lithuania.
- We are grateful to the management of VTB United League for the opportunity to play in such representative tournament,- said the general manager of «Torpan Poyat» Sampsa Rekonen.- It is an absolute step forward for our team, and we will make every effort to play worthily in the qualifying round. Are we able to get intothe main draw of the competition? I think so. We have a balanced roster, a few players are playing in the Finnish national team, so in Siauliai before the team will have only one goal - to win!
About team:
«Torpan Pojat» Helsinki, Finland
Founded in 1932
Home arena: «Helsinki Ice Hockey Arena» (12000 seats)
Achievements: Champion of Finland-1960, 1966, 1978, 1981, 1983, 1986, 1996-1998.
Winner of Cup of Finland-1980, 1982, 1992, 1996, 1997.
Head coach – Tomi Kaminen
Chairman - Mikko Siukosaari
General manager – Sampsa Rekonen