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IF Gnistan

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IF Gnistan
Nickname(s)Kipinä
Founded1924; 100 years ago (1924)
GroundMustapekka Areena,
Oulunkylä, Helsinki,
Finland
Capacity2,200
ChairmanRisto Murto
Head CoachJussi Leppälahti[1]
LeagueVeikkausliiga
2024Veikkausliiga, 8th of 12

IF Gnistan (Kipinä in Finnish; The Spark in English), commonly known as Gnistan, is a Finnish football club from the city of Helsinki, founded in 1924. The club is currently playing in the Veikkausliiga, the first tier of the Finnish league system. IF Gnistan play their home matches at Mustapekka Areena. Club's home district is Oulunkylä,[2] which locates in northern part of the capital city.

History

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The club is originally Swedish-speaking, but nowadays it is supported by Finnish-speaking majority also. The club was founded by a few Svenska Reallyceum and Åggelby Svenska Samskola students from Oulunkylä in 1924. IF Gnistan were multi-sport club and had several competitive departments including ski, athletics, swim and pesäpallo (Finnish baseball). Football department were founded in 1935, when the club joined Finnish Football Association Helsinki district. Later in the 1950s Gnistan had strong teams in orienteering, women's gymnastics, table tennis and cross country running alongside the classical sports.[3]

During the late 1950s, the club decided to dissolve all the other departments except for the football teams. When ski and athletics were eliminated, Gnistan turned to a football club, and named Jacob Söderman as their new chairman. They became a significant team in lower leagues of the capital region but never promoted to the top tier. After season 1994, they achieved their place to Ykkönen for the first time. They stayed in the second tier four years and then relegated back to Kakkonen in 1998. They have been in Ykkönen level on four occasions.[3]

Gnistan has played seven seasons in the Ykkönen (First Division), the second tier of Finnish football in 1995–98, 2001–02 and from the season 2017. The club has played fourteen seasons in the Kakkonen (Second Division), the third tier of Finnish football in 1990, 1994, 1999–2000 and 2003–2016.[4]

In 2002, the club nearly made it to the semi-finals of the Finnish Cup, by leading FC Lahti 2–0 till the 90th minute. A FC Lahti fan, ran naked to the field, which caused 5 minutes of added time. Lahti scored twice in injury time and in extra time they made the final score 2–3.

After season 2016, the club won their Kakkonen group and achieved a chance to qualify for Ykkönen for the next season. They faced another group winner Musan Salama on two-legged tie, which started away from home in Pori. Both meetings ended 1–0 victories for the home teams, so the promoting team were solved by penalty shoot-out. Gnistan beat their opponents by 4–3 and promoted to the second tier of Finnish football after spending 14 seasons in a row in Kakkonen.

After establishing their place in then second-tier Ykkönen, Gnistan finished 2nd in the 2023 season, and earned a spot to Veikkausliiga promotion play-offs, where they eventually fell short to IFK Mariehamn. However, it was later announced that Gnistan were granted a Veikkausliiga league license via supplemental process, after FC Honka was declared for bankruptcy. 2024 Veikkausliiga season will be the first in the Finnish top-tier level in the club's entire history.[5][6] After the 2023 season, the CEO Marko Kolsi, who had served for four seasons, left the position and Ilkka Vanala was named the new chief executive officer of Gnistan.

Early in the morning on 13 July 2024, the main stand and the facilities of Gnistan's home stadium Mustapekka Areena were destroyed in a fire.[7]

Season to season

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Season to Season
Season Level Division Section Administration Position Movements
1948 Tier 4 Piirinsarja (District League) Helsinki (SPL Helsinki) Promotion Playoff - Promoted
1949 Tier 3 Maakuntasarja (Third Division) South Group B Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) 5th
1950 Tier 3 Maakuntasarja (Third Division) South Group A Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) 2nd
1951 Tier 3 Maakuntasarja (Third Division) South Group A Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) 4th
1952 Tier 3 Maakuntasarja (Third Division) South Group A Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) 6th
1953 Tier 3 Maakuntasarja (Third Division) South Group A Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) 5th
1954 Tier 3 Maakuntasarja (Third Division) West Group IV Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) 3rd
1955 Tier 3 Maakuntasarja (Third Division) South Group II Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) 2nd
1956 Tier 3 Maakuntasarja (Third Division) South Group I Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) 3rd
1957 Tier 3 Maakuntasarja (Third Division) South Group I Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) 6th
1958 Tier 3 Maakuntasarja (Third Division) Group 1 Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) 3rd
1959 Tier 3 Maakuntasarja (Third Division) Group 1 Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) 3rd
1960 Tier 3 Maakuntasarja (Third Division) Group 1 Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) 4th
1961 Tier 3 Maakuntasarja (Third Division) Group 1 Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) 5th
1962 Tier 3 Maakuntasarja (Third Division) Group 1 Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) 6th
1963 Tier 3 Maakuntasarja (Third Division) Group 1 Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) 3rd
1964 Tier 3 Maakuntasarja (Third Division) Group 1 Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) 5th
1965 Tier 3 Maakuntasarja (Third Division) Group 1 Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) 2nd
1966 Tier 3 Maakuntasarja (Third Division) Group 1 Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) 7th
1967 Tier 3 Maakuntasarja (Third Division) Group 1 Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) 3rd
1968 Tier 3 Maakuntasarja (Third Division) Group 1 Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) 5th
1969 Tier 3 Maakuntasarja (Third Division) Group 1 Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) 8th
1970 Tier 3 III Divisioona (Third Division) Group 1 Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) 6th
1971 Tier 3 III Divisioona (Third Division) Group 1 Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) 10th
1972 Tier 3 III Divisioona (Third Division) Group 5 Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) 5th
1973 Tier 4 III Divisioona (Third Division) Group 1 Helsinki (SPL Helsinki) 9th Relegation Playoff - Relegated
1974 Tier 5 IV Divisioona (Fourth Division) Group 3 Helsinki District (SPL Helsinki) 2nd
1975 Tier 5 IV Divisioona (Fourth Division) Group 2 Helsinki District (SPL Helsinki) 4th
1976 Tier 5 IV Divisioona (Fourth Division) Group 3 Helsinki District (SPL Helsinki) 3rd
1977 Tier 5 IV Divisioona (Fourth Division) Group 2 Helsinki District (SPL Helsinki) 1st Promoted
1978 Tier 4 III Divisioona (Third Division) Group 2 Helsinki (SPL Helsinki) 7th
1979 Tier 4 III Divisioona (Third Division) Group 1 Helsinki (SPL Helsinki) 10th
1980 Tier 4 III Divisioona (Third Division) Group 2 Helsinki (SPL Helsinki) 12th Relegated
1981 Tier 5 IV Divisioona (Fourth Division) Group 2 Helsinki District (SPL Helsinki) 6th
1982 Tier 5 IV Divisioona (Fourth Division) Group 1 Helsinki District (SPL Helsinki) 6th
1983 Tier 5 IV Divisioona (Fourth Division) Group 3 Helsinki District (SPL Helsinki) 11th Relegated
1984 Tier 6 V Divisioona (Fifth Division) Group 2 Helsinki District (SPL Helsinki)
1985 Tier 6 V Divisioona (Fifth Division) Helsinki District (SPL Helsinki) Promoted
1986 Tier 5 IV Divisioona (Fourth Division) Group 2 Helsinki District (SPL Helsinki) 3rd
1987 Tier 5 IV Divisioona (Fourth Division) Helsinki District (SPL Helsinki) Promoted
1988 Tier 4 III Divisioona (Third Division) Group 1 Helsinki (SPL Helsinki) 3rd
1989 Tier 4 III Divisioona (Third Division) Group 2 Helsinki (SPL Helsinki) 1st Promoted
1990 Tier 3 II Divisioona (Second Division) East Group Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) 10th Relegated
1991 Tier 4 III Divisioona (Third Division) Group 1 Helsinki (SPL Helsinki) 5th
1992 Tier 4 III Divisioona (Third Division) Group 2 Helsinki (SPL Helsinki) 2nd
1993 Tier 4 Kolmonen (Third Division) Group 1 Helsinki (SPL Helsinki) 1st Promoted
1994 Tier 3 Kakkonen (Second Division) South Group Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) 2nd Promoted
1995 Tier 2 Ykkönen (First Division) Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) 9th
1996 Tier 2 Ykkönen (First Division) South Group Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) 6th
1997 Tier 2 Ykkönen (First Division) South Group Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) 7th Relegation Group (South) – 3rd – Relegation Play-offs
1998 Tier 2 Ykkönen (First Division) South Group Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) 9th Relegation Group (South) – 4th – Relegated
1999 Tier 3 Kakkonen (Second Division) West Group Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) 7th
2000 Tier 3 Kakkonen (Second Division) South Group Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) 1st Promoted
2001 Tier 2 Ykkönen (First Division) South Group Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) 8th Relegation Play-offs
2002 Tier 2 Ykkönen (First Division) South Group Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) 9th Relegation Group (South) – 7th – Relegated
2003 Tier 3 Kakkonen (Second Division) South Group Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) 7th
2004 Tier 3 Kakkonen (Second Division) South Group Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) 5th
2005 Tier 3 Kakkonen (Second Division) South Group Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) 2nd
2006 Tier 3 Kakkonen (Second Division) Group A Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) 4th
2007 Tier 3 Kakkonen (Second Division) Group A Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) 7th
2008 Tier 3 Kakkonen (Second Division) Group A Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) 4th
2009 Tier 3 Kakkonen (Second Division) Group A Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) 2nd
2010 Tier 3 Kakkonen (Second Division) Group A Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) 3rd
2011 Tier 3 Kakkonen (Second Division) Group A Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) 2nd
2012 Tier 3 Kakkonen (Second Division) East Group Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) 2nd
2013 Tier 3 Kakkonen (Second Division) South Group Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) 2nd
2014 Tier 3 Kakkonen (Second Division) South Group Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) 8th
2015 Tier 3 Kakkonen (Second Division) South Group Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) 2nd
2016 Tier 3 Kakkonen (Second Division) Group A Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) 1st Promoted via Play-offs
2017 Tier 2 Ykkönen (First Division) Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) 10th Relegated
2018 Tier 3 Kakkonen (Second Division) Group A Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) 6th
2019 Tier 3 Kakkonen (Second Division) Group B Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) 1st Promoted
2020 Tier 2 Ykkönen (First Division) Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) 9th
2021 Tier 2 Ykkönen (First Division) Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) 6th
2022 Tier 2 Ykkönen (First Division) Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) 7th
2023 Tier 2 Ykkönen (First Division) Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) 2nd Promoted via supplemental process

[8] [9]

Club structure

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Gnistan run a number of teams including 4 men's teams, 3 veteran's teams, 2 ladies teams, 11 boys team and 6 girls teams. The club also runs a Football School for youngsters.

2010 season

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IF Gnistan are competing in Group A (Lohko A) of the Kakkonen administered by the Football Association of Finland (Suomen Palloliitto) . This is the third highest tier in the Finnish football system. In 2009 Gnistan finished in second position in their Kakkonen section.

Gnistan / 2 are participating in Section 1 (Lohko 1) of the Nelonen[broken anchor] (Fourth Division) administered by the Helsinki SPL.

Gnistan / Ogeli are participating in Section 2 (Lohko 2) of the Nelonen[broken anchor] (Fourth Division) administered by the Helsinki SPL.

Gnistan / Roots are participating in Section 2 (Lohko 2) of the Kutonen[broken anchor] (Sixth Division) administered by the Helsinki SPL. In 2009 Roots finished in second position in Section 2 Seiska (Seventh Division).

Current squad

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As of 10 August 2024 [10]

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 GK United States USA AJ Marcucci (on loan from New York Red Bulls)
2 DF Finland FIN Elias Äijälä
3 MF Finland FIN Saku Heiskanen
4 DF Finland FIN Oliver Pettersson
5 DF Finland FIN Toni Takamäki
6 MF Finland FIN Hannes Woivalin
7 DF Finland FIN Tim Väyrynen
9 FW Norway NOR Jonas Enkerud
10 FW Finland FIN Joakim Latonen
11 FW Finland FIN Pauli Katajamäki
14 DF Finland FIN Henrik Ölander
15 MF Finland FIN Gabriel Europaeus
18 MF Finland FIN Roope Pyyskänen
19 MF Finland FIN Vertti Hänninen
20 MF Ghana GHA David Agbo
No. Pos. Nation Player
22 DF Finland FIN Jukka Raitala
23 MF Finland FIN Kasperi Liikonen
25 MF Finland FIN Robbie Malolo
26 MF Finland FIN Roman Eremenko
27 DF Finland FIN Teemu Penninkangas
28 MF Finland FIN Armend Kabashi
31 FW Bosnia and Herzegovina BIH Benjamin Tatar
37 GK Finland FIN Kasper Hietanen
40 DF Finland FIN Juhani Ojala
45 GK Finland FIN Jiri Koski
49 MF Portugal POR Tomás Castro
99 FW Finland FIN Jere Kujanpää
DF Finland FIN Linus Kahisalo
FW Finland FIN Kristian Yli-Hietanen

Out on loan

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

No. Pos. Nation Player
DF Finland FIN Jean-Claude Mabinda (at JäPS until 31 December 2024)

Management and boardroom

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Management

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As of 15 February 2024[11]

Name Role
Finland Jussi Leppälahti Head Coach
Finland Mikke Salonen Assistant Coach
Finland Eero Laurila Assistant Coach
Finland Marko Frantsi Goalkeeping Coach
Finland Patrick Cousins Team Manager
Finland Ari Ahonen Kit Manager
Finland Joni Välilä Physiotherapist

Boardroom

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As of 28 August 2024[12]

Name Role
Finland Risto Murto Chairman
Finland Patrik Ekström Vice Chairman
Finland Ilkka Vanala CEO
Finland Jarkko Jokiranta Sporting Director

References

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  1. ^ JUSSI LEPPÄLAHTI GNISTANIN PÄÄVALMENTAJAKSI Archived 11 November 2023 at the Wayback Machine, gnistan.fi, 10 November 2023
  2. ^ "Historiaa – IF Gnistan". gnistan.net. Archived from the original on 17 August 2017. Retrieved 13 June 2019.
  3. ^ a b "Historia". gnistan.fi. 15 April 2012. Archived from the original on 31 March 2019. Retrieved 13 June 2019.
  4. ^ "Finland – Divisional Movements 1930–2009". RSSSF. 2010. Archived from the original on 18 February 2010. Retrieved 5 June 2010.
  5. ^ IF GNISTAN PELAA ENSI KAUDELLA VEIKKAUSLIIGASSA Archived 19 December 2023 at the Wayback Machine, gnistan.fi, 19 December 2023
  6. ^ Gnistan sai liigalisenssin Veikkausliigaan Archived 15 February 2024 at the Wayback Machine, Yle, 19 December 2023
  7. ^ Aamunkajo paljasti tuhon – katso lohduttomat kuvat Mustapekka Areenan palosta, Iltalehti, 13 July 2024
  8. ^ "Home". finlandfootball.net. Archived from the original on 2 July 2022. Retrieved 6 August 2020.
  9. ^ "Finland - List of League Second Level Tables". RSSSF. Archived from the original on 24 September 2022. Retrieved 3 August 2018.
  10. ^ "IF Gnistan squad" (in Finnish). Football Association of Finland. Archived from the original on 31 March 2023. Retrieved 31 March 2023.
  11. ^ GNISTANIN MIESTEN EDUSTUSJOUKKUEEN VALMENNUSTIIMI KAUDELLE 2024 Archived 24 January 2024 at the Wayback Machine, gnistan.fi, 24 January 2024
  12. ^ Hallitus Archived 7 June 2023 at the Wayback Machine, gnistan.fi

Sources

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