Mikkelin Kissat
Encyclopedia
Mikkelin Kissat is a football club from Mikkeli
, Finland
. Its home ground is at the Mikkelin Urheilupuisto.
, the fifth division in 1984 and rapid progress followed with the club soon gaining promotion to II divisioona
, the second division, in 1986. They lasted there only two years as relegation ensued in 1988. Once again Kissat was promoted to II divisioona in 1993 and finally cemented their place there, reaching even the promotion battle of the division quite soon. An especially memorable year was 1995, when Kissat almost achieved an entire season without losses. They also won the "Pikkufinaali", a final for the two best lower league teams in the Finnish Cup
(Suomen Cup) in 1994.
Even with MiKi finding success in the second division (now called Kakkonen) as the millennium neared its end, the perennial local rivals MP
were in financial problems after being relegated to Ykkönen
, the Finnish first division. In 1999, the two clubs deciced to share their resources and players and merged to form mutual first team and a under 21's team called FC Mikkeli, as well as a reserve team called Mikkelin Pallo (MiPa) which played a division below in Kakkonen. The fusion lasted only for three years without much success, as in 2001 FC Mikkeli was relegated to Kakkonen and the club was disbanded. Both MiKi and MP returned to first-team football by taking FC Mikkeli's and MiPa's places in Kakkonen. Since then Kissat has played in Kakkonen in 2002, 2004–2005 and 2007, and the rest of the seasons in Kolmonen
.
MiKi's short history is also inextricably linked to that of Mikkelin Pallo-Kissat (MiPK) which was formed in 1946, with roots of the club leading even to the very early 1900s. Pallo-Kissat were quite successful in their day as they played in the top level of Finnish football, back then called Mestaruussarja
, over the years 1962-1964, 1971 and 1974-1979. In 1962, 1974 and 1975 they reached the fourth place of the league, the most highest position in top level football in the club's history. But towards the 1980s, the club began experiencing severe economic distress and finally after being relegated to the second division in 1984, were declared bankrupt. Players transferred to the newly established MiKi which provided a sound foundation for the new club's future.
Mikkelin Kissat run a very active youth section with teams up to under 18's, and hold the popular youth tournament Mikkeli Turnaus each year. English Premiership players Jussi Jääskeläinen
and Shefki Kuqi
are both products of the MiKi youth setup.
. MiKi started the Kolmonen season by drawing 1-1 against both the Sudet
reserve team and IPS. They got their first win against Kultsu FC 3-1 and carried on to beat HaPK 1-2 and FC PaSa 2-0, but on June 2 the winning streak came to a quick end as Kissat conceded a 1-0 shock defeat against minnows KoRe. The season continued with disappoitments as PEPO
beat MiKi 1-2 after a late game-winning goal on penalty time and local rivals SavU humiliated Kissat in the Mikkeli derby with a 2-1 victory. After the derby defeat head coach Risto Lähde resigned and the team captain Tommi Sariola was appointed as caretaker player-manager.
MiKi started well under new rule as they won 3-1 against PaPe and finally broke their three-game losing streak. After that they drew 1-1 against STPS
in a provincial derby match where Jerry Särkkä tied the game with a late penalty kick goal. Kissat concluded the first part of the season with a comfortable 0-3 win against Jäntevä and left for the two-week summer break on fourth place of the league, with 18 points and a goal difference of 18-11. Their best scorer at the break was Timo Mattila with four goals to his name.
On July 20 it was announced that caretaker player-manager Tommi Sariola would be the head coach of the team until the end of the season, while still operating as an active player on the field as well (though a serious knee injury, suffered in the Jäntevä game, kept Sariola off the field for the rest of the season). Sariola's tenure as the boss continued without losses as Kissat started the autumn-part of the season with a 2-0 victory against the Sudet reserves. Next Sariola's team started to show some real form as they made high-flying IPS suffer their first defeat in two months with a narrow 0-1 win and beat PaPe 1-4 after rising to victory from a substandard first half performance and home team's 1-0 lead.
But once again Kissat stumbled against an opponent that they should have won, as HaPK beat MiKi 0-1 after a lucky late goal on August 6. Three red cards were also shown in the game's last five minutes, with both Miikka Seppälä and Tommi Lifländer being sent off from MiKi. The losing streak continued as, with a depleted roster, Kissat lost 2-1 against Kultsu FC and 0-2 against KoRe. Seppälä was once again dismissed in the latter game. Finally, with injury-ridden Teemu Kokko and Riiko Lappalainen returning to the team after last season and goalkeeper Saku Romppainen coming out of retirement to help as well, Kissat turned the tide and beat FC PaSa 1-3 on August 27.
The momentum from the PaSa win carried the team to beat SavU 1-0 in a thrilling derby game on August 31. That was also Jerry Särkkä's last game with Kissat as he was transferred to MP at the very last minutes of the transfer window. Moving on to September, MiKi suffered a heavy 6-2 defeat against league leaders PEPO and lost 4-1 to STPS as well. Finally, Kissat also lost the final game of the season against Jäntevä 0-2 on Septemper 24. That meant that Kissat was placed 5th in the division, which can be concluded as a huge disappoitment for the club. The best goal scorer of the season for MiKi was Timo Mattila with nine goals in total.
The club also participated in the Finnish Cup for the first time in years. In the first round of the 2011 Cup
they played against LIK from Liljendal
and won 0-9 and in the second round MiKi beat PeKa from Kotka
0-2. Both opponents were from lower leagues but in the third round MiKi faced a fellow Kolmonen side, PK Keski-Uusimaa from Kerava
. The game ended 0-0 after regular time but MiKi lost on penalties 2-4 and thus was knocked out of the Cup.
Mikkeli
Mikkeli is a town and municipality in Finland. It is located in what used to be the province of Eastern Finland and is part of the Southern Savonia region. The municipality has a population of and covers an area of of which is water...
, 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...
. Its home ground is at the Mikkelin Urheilupuisto.
Background
The club was formed in 1981 but was not formally registered until 1983. They started in V divisioonaVitonen
Vitonen 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:...
, the fifth division in 1984 and rapid progress followed with the club soon gaining promotion to II divisioona
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...
, the second division, in 1986. They lasted there only two years as relegation ensued in 1988. Once again Kissat was promoted to II divisioona in 1993 and finally cemented their place there, reaching even the promotion battle of the division quite soon. An especially memorable year was 1995, when Kissat almost achieved an entire season without losses. They also won the "Pikkufinaali", a final for the two best lower league teams 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) in 1994.
Even with MiKi finding success in the second division (now called Kakkonen) as the millennium neared its end, the perennial local rivals MP
Mikkelin Palloilijat
Mikkelin Palloilijat is a Finnish football club, based in Mikkeli. Club was formed in 1929 and has also had teams in volleyball, ice hockey and bandy. It played in the Finnish First Division from 2004 to 2006 but was relegated to Kakkonen at the end of the season...
were in financial problems after being relegated to 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:...
, the Finnish first division. In 1999, the two clubs deciced to share their resources and players and merged to form mutual first team and a under 21's team called FC Mikkeli, as well as a reserve team called Mikkelin Pallo (MiPa) which played a division below in Kakkonen. The fusion lasted only for three years without much success, as in 2001 FC Mikkeli was relegated to Kakkonen and the club was disbanded. Both MiKi and MP returned to first-team football by taking FC Mikkeli's and MiPa's places in Kakkonen. Since then Kissat has played in Kakkonen in 2002, 2004–2005 and 2007, and the rest of the seasons in 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...
.
MiKi's short history is also inextricably linked to that of Mikkelin Pallo-Kissat (MiPK) which was formed in 1946, with roots of the club leading even to the very early 1900s. Pallo-Kissat were quite successful in their day as they played in the top level of Finnish football, back then called Mestaruussarja
Mestaruussarja
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...
, over the years 1962-1964, 1971 and 1974-1979. In 1962, 1974 and 1975 they reached the fourth place of the league, the most highest position in top level football in the club's history. But towards the 1980s, the club began experiencing severe economic distress and finally after being relegated to the second division in 1984, were declared bankrupt. Players transferred to the newly established MiKi which provided a sound foundation for the new club's future.
Mikkelin Kissat run a very active youth section with teams up to under 18's, and hold the popular youth tournament Mikkeli Turnaus each year. English Premiership players Jussi Jääskeläinen
Jussi Jääskeläinen
Jussi Albert Jääskeläinen is a Finnish football goalkeeper, who plays for Bolton Wanderers.-Club career:Jääskeläinen was born in Mikkeli, and made his Veikkausliiga debut in Finland for MP Mikkeli in 1992, and became the club's first choice goalkeeper in 1994. In 1996, he moved to VPS Vaasa where...
and Shefki Kuqi
Shefki Kuqi
Shefki Kuqi is a Kosovar-born Finnish professional footballer who is currently playing for League One side Oldham Athletic. Kuqi plays predominately as a striker. He has spent most of his career in the English league, and has played for clubs including Stockport County, Sheffield Wednesday, Ipswich...
are both products of the MiKi youth setup.
Season to season
| class="wikitable"> | ||||||
| Season | Level | Division | Section | Administration | Position | Movements |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | Tier 3 | Kakkonen (Second Division) | East Group | Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) | 11th | Relegated |
| 2003 | Tier 4 | Kolmonen (Third Division) | South-East Finland (SPL Kaakkois-Suomi) | 1st | Playoff Group C - 1st - Promoted | |
| 2004 | Tier 3 | Kakkonen (Second Division) | East Group | Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) | 9th | |
| 2005 | Tier 3 | Kakkonen (Second Division) | East Group | Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) | 12th | Relegated |
| 2006 | Tier 4 | Kolmonen (Third Division) | South-East Finland (SPL Kaakkois-Suomi) | 1st | Playoff Group C - 2nd - Promoted | |
| 2007 | Tier 3 | Kakkonen (Second Division) | Group A | Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) | 14th | Relegated |
| 2008 | Tier 4 | Kolmonen (Third Division) | South-East Finland (SPL Kaakkois-Suomi) | 5th | ||
| 2009 | Tier 4 | Kolmonen (Third Division) | South-East Finland (SPL Kaakkois-Suomi) | 2nd | ||
| 2010 | Tier 4 | Kolmonen (Third Division) | South-East Finland (SPL Kaakkois-Suomi) | 3rd | ||
| 2011 | Tier 4 | Kolmonen (Third Division) | South-East Finland (SPL Kaakkois-Suomi) | 5th |
- 4 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...
- 6 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...
Notable former players
| Jussi Jääskeläinen Jussi Jääskeläinen Jussi Albert Jääskeläinen is a Finnish football goalkeeper, who plays for Bolton Wanderers.-Club career:Jääskeläinen was born in Mikkeli, and made his Veikkausliiga debut in Finland for MP Mikkeli in 1992, and became the club's first choice goalkeeper in 1994. In 1996, he moved to VPS Vaasa where... Shefki Kuqi Shefki Kuqi Shefki Kuqi is a Kosovar-born Finnish professional footballer who is currently playing for League One side Oldham Athletic. Kuqi plays predominately as a striker. He has spent most of his career in the English league, and has played for clubs including Stockport County, Sheffield Wednesday, Ipswich... Eetu Muinonen Eetu Muinonen Eetu Muinonen is a Finnish footballer, who plays for RoPS.-Career:He has played in the Finnish premier division of football, Veikkausliiga, representing MyPa of Anjalankoski. On 1 January 2009 he joined Belgian club S.V. Zulte Waregem, together with teammate Tarmo Neemelo.-External links:*... |
2011 season
MiKi Men's Team are competing in the Kolmonen administered by the Kaakkois-Suomi SPL. This is the fourth highest tier in the Finnish football systemFinnish football league system
The Finnish football league system is a series of interconnected leagues for club football in Finland. The three highest levels are managed by the Finnish FA while the higher leagues are managed by the regional departments of the FA.-The system:...
. MiKi started the Kolmonen season by drawing 1-1 against both the Sudet
Sudet
Sudet is a football club from Kouvola, Finland. The club was formed in 1912 and was based firstly in Viipuri , then in Helsinki, before finally moving to Kouvola. Sudet currently plays in the Kolmonen and their home ground is at the Keskusurheilukenttä, Kouvola...
reserve team and IPS. They got their first win against Kultsu FC 3-1 and carried on to beat HaPK 1-2 and FC PaSa 2-0, but on June 2 the winning streak came to a quick end as Kissat conceded a 1-0 shock defeat against minnows KoRe. The season continued with disappoitments as PEPO
Pepo
Pepo may refer to:*Pepo , a 1935 Armenian film made by Hamo Beknazarian*Pepo, a modified berry with a hard outer rind*Pepo , an 11th century law teacher at the University of Bologna...
beat MiKi 1-2 after a late game-winning goal on penalty time and local rivals SavU humiliated Kissat in the Mikkeli derby with a 2-1 victory. After the derby defeat head coach Risto Lähde resigned and the team captain Tommi Sariola was appointed as caretaker player-manager.
MiKi started well under new rule as they won 3-1 against PaPe and finally broke their three-game losing streak. After that they drew 1-1 against STPS
Savonlinnan Työväen Palloseura
Savonlinnan Työväen Palloseura or STPS for short, is a football club located in Savonlinna, Finland. The club was founded in 1947. STPS has a strong labour movement background, "työväen palloseura" meaning "workers ball club" in Finnish....
in a provincial derby match where Jerry Särkkä tied the game with a late penalty kick goal. Kissat concluded the first part of the season with a comfortable 0-3 win against Jäntevä and left for the two-week summer break on fourth place of the league, with 18 points and a goal difference of 18-11. Their best scorer at the break was Timo Mattila with four goals to his name.
On July 20 it was announced that caretaker player-manager Tommi Sariola would be the head coach of the team until the end of the season, while still operating as an active player on the field as well (though a serious knee injury, suffered in the Jäntevä game, kept Sariola off the field for the rest of the season). Sariola's tenure as the boss continued without losses as Kissat started the autumn-part of the season with a 2-0 victory against the Sudet reserves. Next Sariola's team started to show some real form as they made high-flying IPS suffer their first defeat in two months with a narrow 0-1 win and beat PaPe 1-4 after rising to victory from a substandard first half performance and home team's 1-0 lead.
But once again Kissat stumbled against an opponent that they should have won, as HaPK beat MiKi 0-1 after a lucky late goal on August 6. Three red cards were also shown in the game's last five minutes, with both Miikka Seppälä and Tommi Lifländer being sent off from MiKi. The losing streak continued as, with a depleted roster, Kissat lost 2-1 against Kultsu FC and 0-2 against KoRe. Seppälä was once again dismissed in the latter game. Finally, with injury-ridden Teemu Kokko and Riiko Lappalainen returning to the team after last season and goalkeeper Saku Romppainen coming out of retirement to help as well, Kissat turned the tide and beat FC PaSa 1-3 on August 27.
The momentum from the PaSa win carried the team to beat SavU 1-0 in a thrilling derby game on August 31. That was also Jerry Särkkä's last game with Kissat as he was transferred to MP at the very last minutes of the transfer window. Moving on to September, MiKi suffered a heavy 6-2 defeat against league leaders PEPO and lost 4-1 to STPS as well. Finally, Kissat also lost the final game of the season against Jäntevä 0-2 on Septemper 24. That meant that Kissat was placed 5th in the division, which can be concluded as a huge disappoitment for the club. The best goal scorer of the season for MiKi was Timo Mattila with nine goals in total.
The club also participated in the Finnish Cup for the first time in years. In the first round of the 2011 Cup
2011 Finnish Cup
The 2011 Finnish Cup is the 57th season of the main annual football cup competition in Finland. It is organized as a single-elimination knock–out tournament. Participation in the competition is voluntary....
they played against LIK from Liljendal
Liljendal
Liljendal is a former municipality of Finland.It is located in the province of Southern Finland and was part of the Eastern Uusimaa region. The municipality had a population of 1,472 and covered an area of of which is water. The population density was .The municipality was bilingual, with...
and won 0-9 and in the second round MiKi beat PeKa from Kotka
Kotka
Kotka is a town and municipality of Finland. Its former name is Rochensalm.Kotka is located on the coast of the Gulf of Finland at the mouth of Kymi River and it is part of the Kymenlaakso region in southern Finland. The municipality has a population of and covers an area of of which is water....
0-2. Both opponents were from lower leagues but in the third round MiKi faced a fellow Kolmonen side, PK Keski-Uusimaa from Kerava
Kerava
Kerava is a town and municipality in Finland.It is located in the province of Southern Finland and is part of the Uusimaa region. The town has a population of and covers an area of of which is water. The population density is...
. The game ended 0-0 after regular time but MiKi lost on penalties 2-4 and thus was knocked out of the Cup.