jatkopeliin

Jatkopeliin is a Finnish term used to describe the transition to an extra period or an additional game beyond the regular time in sports, in order to determine a winner. The word is formed from jatko, meaning extension or overtime, and peli, meaning game. The illative form jatkopeliin literally means “into (the) overtime game” and is used in sentences to indicate moving into extra play.

The concept is common in sports with knockout formats or where a draw after regulation time leads to further competition. It is frequently heard in ice hockey, football (soccer), basketball and other disciplines where regulation time may end without a winner. In practice, jatkopeli can refer to the overtime period itself or to a separate match arranged beyond the ordinary schedule, depending on the competition rules. In some leagues or tournaments, the overtime is followed by a penalty shootout to decide the winner, while in others the extra period alone determines the victor.

Linguistically, jatkopeli is contrasted with jatko, which more narrowly denotes the overtime period, and with jatkopelit, the plural form referring to overtime games or multiple instances of extra time. The term is widely used in Finnish sports journalism and fan discussion to describe decisions or progress that occur after the end of regulation play.