Our debut in the UEFA Champions League is now less than a week away, as Larne fans plan to make the trip north to the Finnish capital of Helsinki.
With the countdown well and truly on to the historic tie against HJK, set to take place on Wednesday 12th July, we take a closer look at the city Inver Reds will be arriving into over the coming days. Our thanks goes to Colin Dunn for sharing his experiences in putting together this guide.
To and from Helsinki airport
Helsinki Airport is just 12 miles from the City Centre. Taxis should take around 30 minutes to make the journey, but you can also take the train, with the official buses taking around 40‒50 minutes. It is best to check which would be most suitable for the accommodation you are staying in.
What should I expect in Helsinki?
Helsinki is a small city, of around 600,000 people, by the sea. It is described as a friendly and lively place to visit with numerous excellent restaurants and bars. There is a well-known craft beer scene in the city and one of the very best, Viisi Pennia, is a short walk past the Bolt Arena.
The currency of Finland is the Euro and for those staying beyond the day of the game, a visit to the tower at the Olympic Stadium (beside the Bolt Arena is recommended. It stands at more than 230-feet tall and offers great views over the city. There is also a 90-minute boat tour around some of the islands off the city which costs €25 and will allow you to see many of the sights the Finnish capital has to offer.
Where will the match be played?
The match will be played in the Bolt Arena, home of HJK Helsinki since the year 2000. The stadium has a capacity of 10,770 and HJK normally attracts around half of this for their games. Bolt Arena is situated next to the Olympic Stadium, which is home to the Finnish national team.
How can I get to the stadium?
The Bolt Arena is within walkable distance from the city centre, and the walk north along Helsinki’s main boulevard (Mannerheimintie) takes around 30 minutes.
Alternatively, you can take one of the various tram lines that run along Mannerheimintie, which include tram 2, 4, and 10. Tram 2 takes a slightly longer route. You can also take any of the lines from Helsinki’s main railway station or elsewhere in the city centre, near Helsinki Cathedral (trams 2 and 4)
How can I buy my ticket to the game?
Tickets for the match – which kicks off at 7pm local time – costs €20 each for visiting fans. Block 121 has already sold out, with more tickets remaining in Block 122. You can purchase your ticket(s) here: lippu.fi
Photo: BBC
