[Labamba]

Originally Posted by JMG

Actually, Poland, Denmark, Greece and Ukraine are in the other half. So if Finland wins against Cyprus, they have a good draw. Just the first round is a bit unlucky.

I agree with JMG about the draw

If Finland can somehow defeat Cyprus away, I think we're finally heading for the Group 1 in 2008. But that's a big if.

[JMG]

National Tennis Centre, Nicosia, Cyprus
Stadium Capacity: 1500
06 April - 08 April 2007
Day 1: 1100 hrs (0800 hrs GMT) tbc
Day 2: 1100 hrs (0800 hrs GMT) tbc
Day 3: 1100 hrs (0800 hrs GMT) tbc
Surface: Clay (Red Clay) - Outdoors
Ball Type: Babolat VS

They play on clay and only a stadium capacity of 1500.

[el güero]

Jarkko and Marcos are going to create a titanic battle...

[kalle]

Good luck against Cyprus!!

[el güero]

Friday
R1 - M.BAGHDATIS (CYP) v J.PAUKKU (FIN)
R2 - P.KALLIAS (CYP) v J.NIEMINEN (FIN)

Saturday
R3 - M.BAGHDATIS / P.KALLIAS (CYP) v T.KETOLA / J.NIEMINEN (FIN)

Sunday
R4 - M.BAGHDATIS (CYP) v J.NIEMINEN (FIN)
R5 - P.KALLIAS (CYP) v J.PAUKKU (FIN)

Paukku will probably be replaced by Timo Nieminen in the 5th rubber.

[musefanatic]

Good luck Finland!!!!!

[kevinwilly]

Good luck Finland!!!!!

[erica]

Does YLE broadcast the tie? Cause I tried to check online, but couldn't find it in there..

[rrfnpump]

Jarkko lost in straights to Baghdatis

2-2 now

[el güero]

But Timo took care of it!

Timo's 2-6 6-2 6-0 6-1 win over Kallias takes Finland through to the 2nd round by 3-2!

At last Finland was able to win a tie even without Jarkko winning all three of his matches! I guess the last time it happened was back in 2002 when Finland beat Italy 4-1 and Jarkko didn't have to play at all on the final day (thanks to Tiilikainen who famously beat Sanguinetti in the opening match ).

Actually Finland has never before won a tie when Jarkko has lost a singles rubber. Timo is a true hero now!

Next it's going to be 2nd round against Latvia, and the tie will be played in Finland in July.

[kevinwilly]

好棒!~~~~

[el güero]

Originally Posted by JMG

Once again the 2nd Daviscup round and the Tampere qualifying are at the same time. That means no Daviscup in Tampere.

I'm sure they will play on clay, like they always do in July.

The Tali Tennis Center in Helsinki just got new clay courts last summer. Maybe they could build some temporary stands around them and play the tie there...

[anttik]

Originally Posted by JMG

Once again the 2nd Daviscup round and the Tampere qualifying are at the same time. That means no Daviscup in Tampere.

I'm sure they will play on clay, like they always do in July.

Tampere challenger will be played 28.7.-5.8. this year. So don't worry JMG and others - Tampere qualifying will not be played same time with Davis Cup.

The DavisCup Finland-Latvia place will be decided and announced 23th April.

[JMG]

Originally Posted by anttik

Tampere challenger will be played 28.7.-5.8. this year. So don't worry JMG and others - Tampere qualifying will not be played same time with Davis Cup.

The DavisCup Finland-Latvia place will be decided and announced 23th April.

I know the Tampere date, I just had a wrong DC date in mind.

[JMG]

They will play in Tampere indeed, just one week before the challenger starts.