Police investigate two assaults at Tappara championship celebrations

Police in Tampere are investigating two suspected assaults that occurred during the Tappara ice hockey team’s championship celebrations late Wednesday evening, though authorities described the event as largely peaceful, public broadcaster Yle reports.

Around 1,000 fans had gathered at Tampere’s central square to celebrate Tappara’s victory in the Finnish SM-liiga ice hockey finals. According to Detective Inspector Matti Kotisaari of Central Finland Police, officers observed pushing at the edge of the square around 10:30 PM.

When police intervened, witnesses reported that a 24-year-old man had initially shoved a young woman, causing her to fall. The suspect then allegedly knocked down a man who intervened and kicked him while he was on the ground. The victims and the suspect were not previously acquainted, Kotisaari stated.

The man, described by police as heavily intoxicated, also kicked a parked car, damaging it. Authorities are investigating the incidents as two counts of assault and one count of criminal damage.

Despite the altercations, Kotisaari noted that the celebrations proceeded calmly overall, with fans in high spirits. Tappara’s official championship party is scheduled for Thursday at Tampere Arena, with live coverage on Yle Areena and TV2.