Lithuanian international midfielder Paulius Golubickas has been crowned Finnish Veikkausliiga champion with Kuopion Palloseura (KuPS), after a dramatic sequence of results confirmed the club’s second consecutive league title.
KuPS took a huge step toward the title on Saturday by coming from behind to defeat their main rivals FC Inter Turku 3-2. However, their championship wasn’t mathematically secured until Sunday, when Ilves Tampere failed to win against SJK Seinäjoki.
Ilves, trailing KuPS by five points with two rounds remaining, needed a victory to keep the title race alive. Despite twice coming from behind and even leading 3-2 in the 81st minute, Ilves were denied in stoppage time – SJK scored a dramatic equaliser in the 94th minute, a goal that not only earned them a crucial point in the European race but also clinched the back-to-back league titles for KuPS.
For Golubickas, who joined KuPS on loan from Polish Ekstraklasa side Radomiak Radom in the summer, it marks his first Finnish league title. The 24-year-old has made 12 appearances across all competitions, contributing two assists.
Although the Veikkausliiga season concludes next weekend, KuPS still have plenty to play for – including at least four more matches in the UEFA Conference League, this Thursday hosting Slovakian champions Slovan Bratislava.
