Helsingin Palloseura

Helsingin Palloseura

Full name	Helsingin Palloseura
Nickname(s)	HPS, Vihreät Jääkärit (Green Rangers)
Founded	1917;107 years ago (1917)
Ground	JYA AREENA Helsinki Finland
Capacity	2000
Chairman	Kurt Grönlund
Manager	Janne Viljamaa, Ramiro Muñoz
Home colours

Helsingin Palloseura (HPS) (English: Helsinki Ball Game Club) is a sports club from Helsinki, Finland established in 1917. HPS has been active in several sports including bandy, ice hockey, football, handball and basketball.

Historically, HPS men's team is one of the most successful football teams in Finland, winning nine national championships during the 1920s and 1930s. The team is currently playing in the fourth highest league, however. In bandy, the club was the runner-up for the Finnish championship in 1920.

Famous HPS footballers have included William Kanerva, Aulis Koponen, Max Viinioksa, Kai Pahlman, Jyrki Heliskoski and Pertti Alaja.

Football

Achievements

HPS Helsinki's men's team won the Finnish football championship (Mestaruussarja) 9 times and they also played in the European Cup, against Stade de Reims in 1958–59. Their one success in the Men's Finnish Cup (Miesten Suomen Cup) was in 1962.

• Men's Finnish Champions (Mestaruussarja Winners): 1921, 1922, 1926, 1927, 1929, 1932, 1934, 1935, 1957 ^[1]
• Men's Finnish Cup (Miesten Suomen Cup): 1962

Brief history of men's team

HPS team that won Finnish championship in 1927.

The first football match played by HPS men's team in September 1918 against HIFK. The club won their first Finnish championship three years later in 1921. It also won the Mestaruussarja championship in 1922, 1926, 1927 and 1929. However, the club's golden age was in the 1930s, when the HPS men won three championships over a four-year period (1932, 1934, 1935). ^[2] Success at this time was also recognised by the large number of players receiving national recognition by representing the Finnish national side. In the 1940s success was in turn mixed with Finnish football having been disrupted by the war years. In 1940/41 HPS finished bottom of the Mestaruussarja and were relegated but were promoted back to the championship level in 1943/44.

They were relegated again in 1949 and did not compete in the Mestaruussarja again until 1956. They won the championship for the last time in 1957 and were most unfortunate a year later in 1958 when they finished equal on points with KuPS Kuopio to whom they then lost 1–0 in a championship play-off final. They maintained their place in the championship until 1964 when they were relegated, which was the last time that the club competed at the highest level. ^[3]

There then followed a gradual downward spiral with HPS fluctuating between Miesten Ykkönen (Men's First Division), Miesten Kakkonen (Men's Second Division) and Miesten Kolmonen (Men's Third Division). In 1997 HPS returned to the Kakkonen which culminated in them reaching the play-offs at the end of 1998 season when they drew 0–0 and 1–1 against FC HIFK. However they missed out on promotion on away goals. Disaster was soon to follow as in 1999 HPS abandoned their place in the Kakkonen because of economic difficulties and had no option but to reform in 2000 at the lowest level in the Seiska (Seventh Division). However, in the last 10 years the club have seen 5 promotions and 1 relegation and they are now competing again in the Kolmonen.

European campaigns

HPS men have played in Europe on two occasions, the first time being in the European Cup in the 1958–59 season and the second time being in the Cup Winners' Cup in the 1963–64 season.

Season	Competition	Round	Country	Club	Score	Agg.
1958–59	European Cup	Second round		Stade Reims	0–4, v 0–3	0–7
1963–64	European Cup Winners' Cup	Preliminary round		ŠK Slovan Bratislava	1–4, v 1–8	2–12

Divisional movements since 1930

Top Level (28 seasons): 1930–42, 1945–49, 1956–64
Second Level (18 seasons): 1943/44, 1950–55, 1965–70, 1972, 1974–76, 1983
Third Level (13 seasons): 1971, 1973, 1977–82, 1984, 1988–89, 1997–98
Fourth level (19 seasons): 1985–87, 1990, 1992–93, 1995–96, 2009–19
Fifth Level (5 seasons): 1991, 1994, 2005, 2007–08
Sixth Level (2 seasons): 2004, 2006
Seventh Level (1 season): 2003
Eight Level (3 seasons): 2000–02 ^[4]

Season to season

Season to Season

Season Level Division Section Administration Position Movements 1930 Tier 1 A-Sarja(Premier League) Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) 3rd 1931 Tier 1 A-Sarja(Premier League) Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) 2nd 1932 Tier 1 A-Sarja(Premier League) Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) 1st Champions 1933 Tier 1 A-Sarja(Premier League) Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) 6th 1934 Tier 1 A-Sarja(Premier League) Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) 1st Champions 1935 Tier 1 A-Sarja(Premier League) Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) 1st Champions 1936 Tier 1 Mestaruussarja(Premier League) Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) 2nd 1937 Tier 1 Mestaruussarja(Premier League) Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) 4th 1938 Tier 1 Mestaruussarja(Premier League) Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) 5th 1939 Tier 1 Mestaruussarja(Premier League) Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) 5th 1940 Cup Format Cup-kilpailu(Premier League) Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) Round of 16 1940-41 Tier 1 Mestaruussarja(Premier League) Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) 8th Relegated 1942 Cup Format Cup-kilpailu(Premier League) Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) Semifinals Withdraw at semifinals 1943-44 Tier 2 'Suomensarja(First Division) Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) 1st Promoted 1945 Tier 1 Mestaruussarja(Premier League) Group B Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) 3rd 1945-46 Tier 1 Mestaruussarja(Premier League) Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) 4th 1946-47 Tier 1 Mestaruussarja(Premier League) Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) 5th 1947-48 Tier 1 Mestaruussarja(Premier League) Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) 3rd 1948 Tier 1 Mestaruussarja(Premier League) Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) 3rd 1949 Tier 1 Mestaruussarja(Premier League) Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) 11th Relegated 1950 Tier 2 'Suomensarja(First Division) East Group Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) 7th 1951 Tier 2 'Suomensarja(First Division) East Group Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) 5th 1952 Tier 2 'Suomensarja(First Division) East Group Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) 5th 1953 Tier 2 'Suomensarja(First Division) East Group Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) 2nd 1954 Tier 2 'Suomensarja(First Division) East Group Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) 3rd 1955 Tier 2 'Suomensarja(First Division) East Group Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) 1st Promoted 1956 Tier 1 Mestaruussarja(Premier League) Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) 8th 1957 Tier 1 Mestaruussarja(Premier League) Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) 1st Champions 1958 Tier 1 Mestaruussarja(Premier League) Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) 2nd 1959 Tier 1 Mestaruussarja(Premier League) Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) 5th 1960 Tier 1 Mestaruussarja(Premier League) Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) 4th 1961 Tier 1 Mestaruussarja(Premier League) Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) 7th 1962 Tier 1 Mestaruussarja(Premier League) Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) 6th 1963 Tier 1 Mestaruussarja(Premier League) Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) 8th 1964 Tier 1 Mestaruussarja(Premier League) Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) 10th Relegated 1965 Tier 2 'Suomensarja(First Division) East Group Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) 5th 1966 Tier 2 'Suomensarja(First Division) East Group Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) 8th 1967 Tier 2 'Suomensarja(First Division) East Group Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) 7th 1968 Tier 2 'Suomensarja(First Division) South Group Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) 3rd 1969 Tier 2 'Suomensarja(First Division) South Group Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) 6th 1970 Tier 2 II Divisioona(First Division) East Group Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) 13th Relegated 1971 Tier 3 III Divisioona(Second Division) Group 1 Helsinki & Uusimaa Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) 1st Promoted 1972 Tier 2 II Divisioona(First Division) East Group Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) 5th 1973 Tier 3 II Divisioona(Second Division) East Group Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) 1st Promoted 1974 Tier 2 I Divisioona(First Division) Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) 5th 1975 Tier 2 I Divisioona(First Division) Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) 7th 1976 Tier 2 I Divisioona(First Division) Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) 11th Relegated 1977 Tier 3 II Divisioona(Second Division) East Group Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) 3rd 1978 Tier 3 II Divisioona(Second Division) East Group Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) 3rd 1979 Tier 3 II Divisioona(Second Division) East Group Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) 3rd Promotion Playoff 1980 Tier 3 II Divisioona(Second Division) West Group Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) 6th 1981 Tier 3 II Divisioona(Second Division) East Group Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) 2nd Promotion Playoff 1982 Tier 3 II Divisioona(Second Division) East Group Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) 1st Promotion Playoff - Promoted 1983 Tier 2 I Divisioona(First Division) Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) 12th Relegation Group 7th - Relegated 1984 Tier 3 II Divisioona(Second Division) East Group Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) 10th Relegated 1985 Tier 4 III Divisioona(Third Division) Group 2 Helsinki & Uusimaa (SPL Uusimaa) 7th 1986 Tier 4 III Divisioona(Third Division) Group 1 Helsinki & Uusimaa (SPL Uusimaa) 3rd 1987 Tier 4 III Divisioona(Third Division) Group 1 Helsinki & Uusimaa (SPL Uusimaa) 1st Promoted 1988 Tier 3 II Divisioona(Second Division) East Group Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) 9th 1989 Tier 3 II Divisioona(Second Division) East Group Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) 12th Relegated 1990 Tier 4 Kolmonen(Third Division) Group 2 Helsinki & Uusimaa (SPL Uusimaa) 11th Relegated 1991 Tier 5 Nelonen(Fourth Division) Group 1 Helsinki District (SPL Helsinki) 2nd Promotion Playoff - Promoted 1992 Tier 4 Kolmonen(Third Division) Group 1 Helsinki & Uusimaa (SPL Uusimaa) 9th 1993 Tier 4 Kolmonen(Third Division) Group 2 Helsinki & Uusimaa (SPL Uusimaa) 11th Relegated 1994 Tier 5 Nelonen(Fourth Division) Group 2 Helsinki District (SPL Helsinki) 1st Promoted 1995 Tier 4 Kolmonen(Third Division) Group 2 Helsinki & Uusimaa (SPL Uusimaa) 7th 1996 Tier 4 Kolmonen(Third Division) Group 1 Helsinki & Uusimaa (SPL Uusimaa) 1st Promoted 1997 Tier 3 Kakkonen(Second Division) East Group Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) 9th 1998 Tier 3 Kakkonen(Second Division) South Group Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) 2nd Play-offs 1999 Withdrew from Kakkonen 2000 Tier 8 Seiska(Seventh Division) Section 1 Helsinki District (SPL Helsinki) 9th 2001 Tier 8 Seiska(Seventh Division) Section 4 Helsinki District (SPL Helsinki) 14th 2002 Tier 8 Seiska(Seventh Division) Section 5 Helsinki District (SPL Helsinki) 2nd Promoted 2003 Tier 7 Kutonen(Sixth Division) Section 2 Helsinki District (SPL Helsinki) 1st Promoted 2004 Tier 6 Vitonen(Fifth Division) Helsinki Helsinki District (SPL Helsinki) 3rd Promoted 2005 Tier 5 Nelonen(Fourth Division) Section 2 Helsinki District (SPL Helsinki) 11th Relegated 2006 Tier 6 Vitonen(Fifth Division) Section 1 Helsinki District (SPL Helsinki) 1st Promoted 2007 Tier 5 Nelonen(Fourth Division) Section 1 Helsinki District (SPL Helsinki) 3rd 2008 Tier 5 Nelonen(Fourth Division) Section 2 Helsinki District (SPL Helsinki) 1st Promoted 2009 Tier 4 Kolmonen(Third Division) Section 1 Helsinki & Uusimaa (SPL Uusimaa) 9th 2010 Tier 4 Kolmonen(Third Division) Section 1 Helsinki & Uusimaa (SPL Uusimaa) 6th 2011 Tier 4 Kolmonen(Third Division) Section 2 Helsinki & Uusimaa (SPL Uusimaa) 6th 2012 Tier 4 Kolmonen(Third Division) Section 1 Helsinki & Uusimaa (SPL Uusimaa) 7th 2013 Tier 4 Kolmonen(Third Division) Section 2 Helsinki & Uusimaa (SPL Uusimaa) 6th 2014 Tier 4 Kolmonen(Third Division) Section 1 Helsinki & Uusimaa (SPL Uusimaa) 12th 2015 Tier 4 Kolmonen(Third Division) Section 1 Helsinki & Uusimaa (SPL Uusimaa) 5th 2016 Tier 4 Kolmonen(Third Division) Section 2 Helsinki & Uusimaa (SPL Uusimaa) 5th 2017 Tier 4 Kolmonen(Third Division) Section 1 Helsinki & Uusimaa (SPL Uusimaa) 5th 2018 Tier 4 Kolmonen(Third Division) Group 2 Helsinki & Uusimaa (SPL Uusimaa) 8th 2019 Tier 4 Kolmonen(Third Division) Group 1 Helsinki & Uusimaa (SPL Uusimaa) 3rd 26 seasons in Veikkausliiga 18 seasons in Ykkönen 12 seasons in Kakkonen 19 seasons in Kolmonen 5 seasons in Nelonen 2 seasons in Vitonen 1 season in Kutonen 3 seasons in Seiska [5]

Junior Football

The club has a youth section running a large number of teams with around 700 players.

Current season Women

For the season 2018 the representative team of HPS, HPS women's I, competes in the Naisten Ykkönen, in the second highest national level.

Current women's Squad

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player 1 {{{pos}}}   FIN Ida-Sofia Helppikangas 3 {{{pos}}}   FIN Ella Haaksluoto 4 {{{pos}}}   FIN Hanna Posa 6 {{{pos}}}   FIN Ella Andberg 7 {{{pos}}}   FIN Emilia Pessi 9 {{{pos}}}   FIN Julianna Jatkola 10 {{{pos}}}   FIN Alina Kosunen 12 {{{pos}}}   FIN Piipa Kämppi 13 {{{pos}}}   FIN Jessica Kiviaho 14 {{{pos}}}   FIN Aino-Marja Lehtinen 17 {{{pos}}}   FIN Ada Torala 19 {{{pos}}}   FIN Tessa Auvinen 20 {{{pos}}}   FIN Nina Eid 21 {{{pos}}}   FIN Minna Pelkonen 22 {{{pos}}}   FIN Oona Antola 23 {{{pos}}}   FIN Anna Eld 24 {{{pos}}}   FIN Emilia Ukkonen 51 {{{pos}}}   FIN Julia Säppi 52 {{{pos}}}   FIN Maiju Hirvonen 70 {{{pos}}}   FIN Taru Kalliovaara 91 {{{pos}}}   FIN Dali Meller 92 {{{pos}}}   FIN Hanna Onufriew

^[6]

Current season men

For the 2014 season HPS men compete in Section 1 (Lohko 1) of the Kolmonen administered by the Helsinki SPL and Uusimaa SPL. This is the fourth highest tier in the Finnish football system.

HPS/2 men are participating in Section 1 (Lohko 1) of the Nelonen administered by the Helsinki SPL.

HPS/Jägers are participating in Section 3 (Lohko 3) of the Kutonen administered by the Helsinki SPL.

Current men's Squad

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player 4   FIN Juho Silvola 6   FIN Janne Sihvonen 10   FIN Antti Hakala 11   FIN Janne Löfberg 12   FIN Jere Paavilainen 14   FIN Emil Asp 16   FIN Tatu Virtanen 17   FIN Tomas O'Shaugnessy 18   FIN Sami Hellström 19   FIN Pasi Paakki 22   FIN Janne Herranen 23   FIN Henrik Peltoniemi 25   FIN Sami Salmi 28   FIN Juho Iso-Kuusela 29   FIN Tim Basili 31   FIN Timo Aalto

No. Pos. Nation Player 36   FIN Valtteri Frantsi 37   FIN Joni Knuutinen 42   FIN Aleksi Honkonen

^[7]

Ice hockey

HPS played in SM-sarja for five seasons (1928, 1929, 1932, 1933 and 1934)

References and sources

• (in Finnish) Official Website
• (in Finnish) Helsingin Palloseura – Finnish Wikipedia
• (in Finnish) Suomen Cup
• (in Finnish) Helsingin Palloseura Facebook

Footnotes

1. "Finland – List of league First Level Tables". RSSSF . 2010. Retrieved 16 June 2010.
2. "Finland – List of league First Level Tables". RSSSF . 2010. Retrieved 16 June 2010.
3. "Finland – List of league First Level Tables". RSSSF . 2010. Retrieved 16 June 2010.
4. "Finland – Divisional Movements 1930–2009". RSSSF . 2010. Retrieved 16 June 2010.
5. "Home". finlandfootball.net.
6. "Helsingin Palloseura Naiset" . Retrieved 9 June 2020.
7. "Helsingin Palloseura Miehet". Archived from the original on 19 August 2010. Retrieved 24 September 2014.