Helsingin Palloseura
Encyclopedia
Helsingin Palloseura (Helsinki Ball Game Club) is a sports club
from Helsinki
, Finland
established in 1917. HPS has been active in several sports including Ice hockey
, Football, Handball
and Basketball
. Historically, HPS is one of the most successful football teams in Finland, winning nine national championships during the 1920s and 1930s. The team is currently playing only in the fourth highest league, however. Famous HPS players have included William Kanerva
, Aulis Koponen
, Max Viinioksa, Kai Pahlman
, Jyrki Heliskoski
and Pertti Alaja.
) 9 times and they also played in the European Cup, against Stade de Reims in 1958–59. Their one success in the Finnish Cup
(Suomen Cup) was in 1962.
, 1934
, 1935
). 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 and sadly that was the last time that this famous club competed at the highest level.
There then followed a gradual downward spiral with HPS fluctuating between Ykkönen
(First Division), Kakkonen
(Second Division) and Kolmonen
(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
.
Second Level (18 seasons): 1943/44, 1950–55, 1965–70, 1972, 1974–76, 1983
Third Level (12 seasons): 1973, 1977–82, 1984, 1988–89, 1997-98
-Paloheinä
-Torpparimäki and Oulunkylä
-Maunula
areas by offering soccer as a hobby for children and youngsters. Educational values, team work and consideration of others are key aspects that are delivered.
n nurmi.
HPS/2 are participating in Section 3 (Lohko 3) of the Vitonen administered by the Helsinki SPL.
HPS/Jägers are participating in Section 1 (Lohko 1) of the Seiska administered by the Helsinki SPL.
for five seasons (1928
, 1929
, 1932
, 1933
and 1934
)
Sports club
A sports club or sport club, sometimes athletics club or sports association is a club for the purpose of playing one or more sports...
from Helsinki
Helsinki
Helsinki is the capital and largest city in Finland. It is in the region of Uusimaa, located in southern Finland, on the shore of the Gulf of Finland, an arm of the Baltic Sea. The population of the city of Helsinki is , making it by far the most populous municipality in Finland. Helsinki is...
, Finland
Finland
Finland , officially the Republic of Finland, is a Nordic country situated in the Fennoscandian region of Northern Europe. It is bordered by Sweden in the west, Norway in the north and Russia in the east, while Estonia lies to its south across the Gulf of Finland.Around 5.4 million people reside...
established in 1917. HPS has been active in several sports including Ice hockey
Ice hockey
Ice hockey, often referred to as hockey, is a team sport played on ice, in which skaters use wooden or composite sticks to shoot a hard rubber puck into their opponent's net. The game is played between two teams of six players each. Five members of each team skate up and down the ice trying to take...
, Football, Handball
Team handball
Handball is a team sport in which two teams of seven players each pass a ball to throw it into the goal of the other team...
and Basketball
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
. Historically, HPS is one of the most successful football teams in Finland, winning nine national championships during the 1920s and 1930s. The team is currently playing only in the fourth highest league, however. Famous HPS players have included William Kanerva
William Kanerva
Yrjö William Kanerva was a Finnish international footballer who earned 51 caps at international level between 1922 and 1938, scoring 13 goals. Kanerva played club football for HJK and HPS, and he competed at the 1936 Summer Olympics.-References:...
, Aulis Koponen
Aulis Koponen
Aulis Koponen was a Finnish international footballer who earned 39 caps at international level between 1924 and 1935, scoring 16 goals. Koponen played club football with HPS.-References:...
, Max Viinioksa, Kai Pahlman
Kai Pahlman
Kai Pahlman is a Finnish former international footballer who earned 56 caps at international level between 1954 and 1968, scoring 13 goals...
, Jyrki Heliskoski
Jyrki Heliskoski
Jyrki Heliskoski is a Finnish football coach. He's currently coaching the Finnish national under-19 team.Heliskoski worked briefly as the head coach of the Finnish national team from July 2005 to January 2006. He then continued as an assistant coach under Roy Hodgson until November 2007...
and Pertti Alaja.
Achievements
HPS Helsinki won the Finnish football championship (MestaruussarjaMestaruussarja
Mestaruussarja was the top division of Finnish football from 1930 to 1989. It was replaced by Veikkausliiga in 1990.In 1930 league format was used for the first time to decide Finnish champion. Before that from 1908 to 1929 the championship was decided with cup competition. The league was...
) 9 times and they also played in the European Cup, against Stade de Reims in 1958–59. Their one success in the Finnish Cup
Finnish Cup
The Finnish Cup is Finland's main national cup competition in football.This yearly competition is open for member clubs of the FA of Finland. Finnish Cup has been played since 1955.Finnish Cup winner qualifies to UEFA Europa League...
(Suomen Cup) was in 1962.
- Finnish Champions (Mestaruussarja Winners): 1921, 1922, 1926, 1927, 1929, 1932Mestaruussarja 1932The 1932 Mestaruussarja was contested by 8 teams, and HPS Helsinki won the championship.- League standings :- References :*...
, 1934Mestaruussarja 1934The 1934 Mestaruussarja was contested by 8 teams, and HPS Helsinki won the championship.-League standings:-References:*...
, 1935Mestaruussarja 1935The 1935 Mestaruussarja was contested by 8 teams, and HPS Helsinki won the championship.-League standings:-References:*...
, 1957Mestaruussarja 1957-League standings:-References:*... - Finnish Cup (Suomen Cup): 1962
Brief history
The first football match played by HPS 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 won three championships over a four year period (1932Mestaruussarja 1932
The 1932 Mestaruussarja was contested by 8 teams, and HPS Helsinki won the championship.- League standings :- References :*...
, 1934
Mestaruussarja 1934
The 1934 Mestaruussarja was contested by 8 teams, and HPS Helsinki won the championship.-League standings:-References:*...
, 1935
Mestaruussarja 1935
The 1935 Mestaruussarja was contested by 8 teams, and HPS Helsinki won the championship.-League standings:-References:*...
). 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
Mestaruussarja 1941
The 1941 Mestaruussarja was contested by 8 teams, and TPS Turku won the championship.-League standings:-References:*...
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
Mestaruussarja 1949
The 1949 Mestaruussarja was contested by 12 teams, and TPS Turku won the championship.-League standings:-References:*...
and did not compete in the Mestaruussarja again until 1956
Mestaruussarja 1956
-League standings:-References:*...
. They won the championship for the last time in 1957
Mestaruussarja 1957
-League standings:-References:*...
and were most unfortunate a year later in 1958
Mestaruussarja 1958
-League standings:-References:*...
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
Mestaruussarja 1964
-League standings:-References:*...
when they were relegated and sadly that was the last time that this famous club competed at the highest level.
There then followed a gradual downward spiral with HPS fluctuating between Ykkönen
Ykkönen
Ykkönen is the second highest level of the Finnish football league system , although it is the highest league managed by the Football Association of Finland.-Competition:...
(First Division), Kakkonen
Kakkonen
Kakkonen is the third tier of the Finnish football league system.-League structure:Kakkonen is divided to three groups of 14 clubs. A club plays each of the others in the same group twice, once at their home stadium and once at that of their opponents. Clubs gain three points for a win, one for a...
(Second Division) and Kolmonen
Kolmonen
Kolmonen is the fourth highest football league in Finland. The most famous club competing at this level is Helsingin Palloseura who won the Finnish Championship on 9 occasions, the last time being in 1957. They also won the Finnish Cup in 1962...
(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
HIFK
Idrottsföreningen Kamraterna i Helsingfors is a sports club from Helsinki, Finland. Formed in 1897 HIFK is the oldest IFK club in Finland. The club has activities in many sports, including football, ice hockey, bandy, floorball, handball, athletics and bowling. HIFK Soccer ry is part of the...
. 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
Kolmonen
Kolmonen is the fourth highest football league in Finland. The most famous club competing at this level is Helsingin Palloseura who won the Finnish Championship on 9 occasions, the last time being in 1957. They also won the Finnish Cup in 1962...
.
European Campaigns
HPS 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 Stade Reims Stade de Reims is a French association football club based in Reims. The club was formed in 1911 under the name Société Sportive du Parc Pommery and currently play in Ligue 2, the second level of French football having achieved promotion to the league following the 2009–10 season... |
0–4, v 0–3 | 0-7 |
| 1963–64 | European Cup Winners' Cup | Preliminary round |  |
ŠK Slovan Bratislava ŠK Slovan Bratislava ŠK Slovan Bratislava is a football club based in Bratislava, Slovakia, that plays in the Corgoň liga. Founded as 1. ČsŠK Bratislava in 1919, the club changed its name to Slovan Bratislava in 1953... |
1–4, v 1–8 | 2-12 |
Divisional Movements since 1930
Top Level (26 seasons): 1930-40/41, 1945–49, 1956-64Second Level (18 seasons): 1943/44, 1950–55, 1965–70, 1972, 1974–76, 1983
Third Level (12 seasons): 1973, 1977–82, 1984, 1988–89, 1997-98
Season to Season
| class="wikitable"> | ||||||
| Season | Level | Division | Section | Administration | Position | Movements |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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) | ||
| 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 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 |
- 2 seasons in KakkonenKakkonenKakkonen is the third tier of the Finnish football league system.-League structure:Kakkonen is divided to three groups of 14 clubs. A club plays each of the others in the same group twice, once at their home stadium and once at that of their opponents. Clubs gain three points for a win, one for a...
- 2 seasons in KolmonenKolmonenKolmonen is the fourth highest football league in Finland. The most famous club competing at this level is Helsingin Palloseura who won the Finnish Championship on 9 occasions, the last time being in 1957. They also won the Finnish Cup in 1962...
- 3 seasons in NelonenNelonen (soccer league)Nelonen is the fifth highest league in the Finnish Soccer League system. The section winners are promoted to the Kolmonen and the bottom teams to the Vitonen.-Administration:...
- 2 seasons in VitonenVitonenVitonen is the sixth highest league in the Finnish Soccer League system. The section winners are promoted to the Nelonen and the bottom teams to the Kutonen.-Administration:...
- 1 season in KutonenKutonenKutonen is the seventh tier of the Finnish Soccer League system. The section winners are promoted to the Vitonen and the bottom teams to the Seiska.-Administration:...
- 3 seasons in Seiska
Junior Football
The club has a thriving youth section running a large number of teams with around 700 players. Junior coaching is seen as the key to creating a sound foundation for the development of the club in the future. HPS's mission is to be a local club serving the PakilaPakila
Pakila is a neighbourhood in Northern Helsinki. It comprises Länsi-Pakila and Itä-Pakila. Pakila has approximately 9,829 inhabitants which of 6464 lives in Länsi-Pakila and 3365 in Itä-Pakila...
-Paloheinä
Paloheinä
Paloheinä is one of four quarters of the Tuomarinkylä district in Northern Helsinki, Finland. Described by the municipality as "a place where habitation, traditional agricultural milieus, and the forest meet", the Paloheinä recreation area is the northern continuation of Helsingin keskuspuisto,...
-Torpparimäki and Oulunkylä
Oulunkylä
Oulunkylä is a suburb and a neighbourhood of Helsinki, the capital of Finland. It is located north from the center of the city.It has been inhabited since the 13th century. Earlier an independent municipality, it was made part of Helsinki in 1946. A rink used for speed skating and bandy is...
-Maunula
Maunula
Maunula , Månsas is a northwestern neighborhood of Helsinki, Finland.For the 1952 Summer Olympics, it hosted part of the road cycling events.-Reference:* p. 554....
areas by offering soccer as a hobby for children and youngsters. Educational values, team work and consideration of others are key aspects that are delivered.
2010 season
For the current season HPS are competing 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. Most of the team's home matches are played at the PirkkolaPirkkola
Pirkkola , Britas is a northern neighborhood of Helsinki, Finland....
n nurmi.
HPS/2 are participating in Section 3 (Lohko 3) of the Vitonen administered by the Helsinki SPL.
HPS/Jägers are participating in Section 1 (Lohko 1) of the Seiska administered by the Helsinki SPL.
Current Squad for the 2010 Season
Ice hockey
HPS played in SM-sarjaSM-sarja
SM-Sarja was the top level of ice hockey in Finland from 1928 to 1975. SM-sarja is a common abbreviation for Suomen mestaruussarja, "Finnish Championship Series"....
for five seasons (1928
1927-28 SM-sarja season
The 1927–28 SM-sarja season was actually an Ice hockey tournament set up by the Finnish Ball Association. The first ever Finnish ice hockey championships featured 6 teams from 3 cities.-First round:-Second round:...
, 1929
1928-29 SM-sarja season
The 1928-1929 SM-Sarja season was the second season of the Finnish SM-sarja. Like the season before the 1928-29 season was played as a cup. This time there was 7 teams from 4 cities.- Qualifications :- Semi-Finals :...
, 1932
1931-32 SM-sarja season
-First round:TaPa and HPS through to Semifinals-Semifinals:HPS and HJK through to Final-Final:Helsingin Jalkapalloklubi wins the 1931-1932 Finnish ice hockey championship.-References:*...
, 1933
1932-33 SM-sarja season
The 1932-1933 SM-sarja season would become the last one played as a Cup series. The season also had the smallest number of participating teams as there was 4 teams from 2 cities.- Semifinals :HSK and HJK advance to Final- Final :...
and 1934
1933-34 SM-sarja season
The 1933-1934 SM-sarja season was the first one to be played as a League rather than a Cup. There was 4 Teams from 2 cities participating.The 4 teams played 3 games each. The team who wins the regular season wins the championship- SM-sarja Championship :...
)