By Alistair Holloway
HELSINKI, May 5 - Finland's soccer season starts
on Thursday with fans relishing the return of international
midfielder and favourite son Jari Litmanen.
His presence after an absence of 12 years could herald
record attendances for matches in a country where ice hockey has
long been the national passion.
After forging a reputation as Finland's greatest-ever player
through stints in the the higher-profile Dutch, Spanish and
English leagues, the injury-prone Litmanen was released by Ajax
in April.
He has signed a one-year deal with Lahti, bringing him back
to the town where his professional career began in 1987.
"Considering the problems in getting people to watch
football in Finland, Litmanen's return is a very big thing,"
said sportswriter Jonas von Wendt at daily Hufvudstadsbladet.
Average attendances for division one games last season were
the second highest in the league's 15-year history but, at about
2,400, remain far below the crowds seen in neighbouring Sweden
let alone other European countries.
Litmanen, 33, has been plagued by injuries since joining
Ajax for the second time in 2002 from Liverpool. His first spell
at the Dutch club was from 1992-1999 when he left for Barcelona.
The Finn's return has already stimulated interest with
almost 4,000 watching Lahti lose the League Cup final on
penalties to Allianssi last Sunday.
Those two teams should be among the challengers this time
round to defending champions HJK Helsinki.