Loppuaika

Loppuaika is a Finnish noun meaning the final period of a game or the time remaining until the end of an event. The word is formed from loppu (end) and aika (time). It is a common term in Finnish broadcasting and sports journalism.

In sports, loppuaika refers to the final minutes of regulation time. During this phase, game dynamics often change as teams push to break a stalemate or protect a lead. It is especially noted in fast-moving games such as football, basketball and ice hockey, where the difference between a victory and a loss can hinge on the actions taken during the loppuaika. If the game proceeds to overtime, that additional period is typically called jatkoaika, not loppuaika, though commentators may still reference the ending phase of regulation when discussing momentum.

Beyond sports, loppuaika can also describe the concluding phase of other processes or events, such as the final moments of a broadcast program or a planned activity. In everyday speech, it conveys the sense that time is running out and decisions or actions become more consequential as the end approaches.