Player Report - Oiva Jukkola
Age: 22 (2002)
Current Club: Ilves
Nationality: Finland
Position: Winger (Wing Back)
Height: 185 CM
Foot: Right
Strengths: Ball Carrying, Crossing, Creativity, Finishing
Oiva Jukkola has cemented himself as one of the most exciting young players in Veikkausliiga during the 2024 season, delivering standout performances for Ilves Tampere. A product of Ilves’ academy system, Jukkola has grown into a key player for the club, showcasing his ability to influence games from the flanks and in more advanced attacking roles. At 22 years old, Jukkola has already established himself as a vital component of Joonas Rantanen’s side, offering a potent mix of creativity, technical skill, and work ethic. Primarily a winger, Jukkola has most frequently been deployed on the right, but is a big threat from the left, and even as an attacking wingback in Ilves’ dynamic setup. His versatility aligns perfectly with Rantanen’s tactical flexibility, often seen in their 1-3-4-2-1 or 1-4-3-3 formations. Despite being tasked with multiple roles, Jukkola has thrived, with 5 goals and 7 assists in 26 appearances.
Oiva Jukkola’s technical ability and on-the-ball game are central to his identity as a player. He boasts excellent close control and a natural composure that allows him to handle tight spaces with ease, whether stationary or at full speed. His first touch is assured, often setting him up to glide past defenders or execute quick, incisive plays. Jukkola is a player who thrives in high-tempo situations, consistently able to maintain possession while finding creative passing options or taking the ball past his opponent to create space on his own. His vision and flair shine through in give-and-go combinations and short, clever passes, often unlocking defenses or creating space for himself and his teammates. With the ball at his feet, Jukkola is a constant threat—whether driving forward to take on defenders or cutting inside with balance and purpose. His ability to carry the ball effectively and operate as a wide playmaker makes him unpredictable and dangerous in the final third. His ballcarrying and quick first step also leads him to win a lot of fouls, especially in transitions. A player who loves to challenge his defenders, Jukkola pairs technical excellence with a flair and directness that make him a nightmare to defend against. While his passing is creative and sharp, it’s his calmness under pressure and knack for finding solutions on the move that truly set him apart. He’s equally adept at delivering well-weighted crosses or cutbacks, showing a natural feel for linking up in dangerous areas. Jukkola's crossing ability should not be understated, it's one of the best in the league, if not the best, also his willingness to cross it or pass into the box from wide. Even if he always prefers to use his stronger right foot, his left foot is effective when needed, being able to deliver crosses or cutbacks with it aswell. Jukkola's right foot can also be utilized from set-pieces, being a decent corner taker.
Jukkola is not just a provider, but an amazing finisher, his ability to time runs inside and outside of the box leads him to being on the end of many chances. Either from a diagonal run on a through ball or a smart movement creating space for himself on a cutback, he will create the time needed to finish off the move. His shooting mechanic is composed and precise, so is his shot placement, always looking for the corners, past the goalkeeper, not through him. Even if he does not have the best leap, his height can cause some issues in the air, being able to finish off some chances with his head aswell. Worth noting is that this is not a big strength or a big part of his game, and his technique isn't the best, but his height will always cause some issues for shorter fullbacks.
Oiva Jukkola’s defensive work is marked by his determination and energy, particularly as a presser. He excels at applying immediate pressure after losing the ball, disrupting opposition build-up and regaining possession high up the pitch. His tracking back is reliable, and he is willing to engage physically, though he concedes some fouls, some being shrewd tactical fouls, some being sloppy tackles. Despite his work rate, Jukkola’s defensive positioning can be inconsistent, where he occasionally ball-watches and loses track of his assignments, a weakness particularly evident during his minutes as a wingback. His 1v1 defending is another area for improvement, as he can struggle to contain direct opponents effectively. However, his intensity and proactive pressing make him a valuable defensive asset in high-press systems, even if there is room to refine his overall defensive game.
Oiva Jukkola’s physical attributes make him a dynamic and adaptable player. With a strong 185cm frame and impressive pace, he combines physicality and agility to great effect, whether holding off defenders, carrying the ball forward, or recovering in transitions. His balance allows him to stay composed in tight situations, and his determined running ensures he covers significant ground both offensively and defensively. While his leap isn’t a standout strength, his height remains an asset in aerial duels, particularly against smaller opponents. ukkola has a great engine and work rate; even in Ilves’s physically demanding system, he maintains his intensity and energy levels consistently until the final whistle, ensuring his work rate never falters.
During the 2024 season Oiva Jukkola turned into a regular and a key player for Ilves, especially with Santeri Haarala leaving in the summer. It had taken some time, but it's been worth the wait for him, finally being a consistent threat for Veikkausliiga defences. Jukkola is already 22, turning 23, so will there be a lot more improvement still? Probably not a huge amount, but there are still some room for refinement, so his ceiling is still to be reached. With that being said, he is already ready for a bigger league than Veikkausliiga and I think that we will see him somewhere abroad in the near future. Being such a dynamic player like Jukkola is a rare profile in Finland, and I think that will be rewarded with a move. His ceiling will likely depend on the system he plays in, but a move to Denmark or a mid-to-lower-tier team in the Netherlands within the next year or two seems entirely plausible.