Finland to Join in 2012 Baltic Cup
The Baltic states' oldest football tournament, the Baltic Cup, will break with tradition this year by inviting Finland take part, the Estonian Football Association announced on January 11.
The tournament, which is held every two years, will take place in southern Estonia from July 1 to 3.
Finland's participation in this year's tournament means the format will be changed from round-robin to knock-out. On July 1, Estonia will play Finland while Latvia faces Lithuania. The winners and losers will then go to battle on July 3.
Though the Estonian FA has not made the final decision on the cup's venue, the two options that have been proposed are the Tamme Stadium in Tartu and the Tehvandi Stadium in Otepää.
The Baltic Cup got its start in 1928 in Tallinn, and with the exception of some participation by Belarus during the Soviet period, has always been a strictly Baltic affair. The inclusion of Finland in future Baltic Cup tournaments has yet to be decided.
Steve Roman