Petri Oravainen
Encyclopedia
Petri Oravainen is a Finnish
footballer, who represents KuPS
in the Veikkausliiga
, the Finnish premier division. Oravainen, who is 173 cm tall, plays as a winger on both left and right side. He made his debut at the senior level in 2001 at the age of 18.
top club's youth team, he had played in smaller junior clubs in the capital
area. In 2001, he debuted in the first team and was said to be one of the most talented youth players in the league. In 2004, he was called up to the national team
for the first time. However, a run of injuries disturbed his development and he could not really live up to the high expectations. He became one of the fans' favourites and especially his pace was a danger for many opponents.
He decided to take a look at playing abroad and signed a contract with FC Zwolle
in Dutch Eerste Divisie
in 2006. He had a good start, but after another injury to his anckle he was out for several months and lost his place in the first team. After 16 matches and 4 goals, he moved back to HJK Helsinki
, where he was welcomed as the lost son. In the 2008 season he played a total of 20 league games for 'Klubi' in which he scored four times.
'Pexi' had a big share in the victory over FC Honka in the Finnish Cup 2008
final. In own Finnair Stadium
the home team beat the visitors from Espoo
with 2-1 after extra time. Oravainen scored the winning goal after 114 minutes with a magnificent strike from just outside the penalty box. That goal delivered HJK
the 10th Finnish Cup victory in its history and the third one for Oravainen himself. This makes him the player with most Suomen Cup victories of the current HJK squad.
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...
footballer, who represents KuPS
KuPS
Kuopion Palloseura is a Finnish football club, based in the 8th most populated city of Finland, Kuopio. KuPS plays in Finland's Premier League, Veikkausliiga. The team plays its home matches at Kuopion keskuskenttä...
in the Veikkausliiga
Veikkausliiga
Veikkausliiga is the premier division of Finnish football, comprising the top 12 clubs of the country. Veikkausliiga is currently ranked as the 28th best league in Europe. Its main sponsor is the Finnish national betting agency Veikkaus, hence the league's name...
, the Finnish premier division. Oravainen, who is 173 cm tall, plays as a winger on both left and right side. He made his debut at the senior level in 2001 at the age of 18.
Club career
Oravainen joined HJK as a thirteen year old. Before moving to FinnishFinland
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...
top club's youth team, he had played in smaller junior clubs in the capital
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...
area. In 2001, he debuted in the first team and was said to be one of the most talented youth players in the league. In 2004, he was called up to the national team
Finland national football team
The Finland national football team represents Finland in international football competitions and is controlled by the Football Association of Finland....
for the first time. However, a run of injuries disturbed his development and he could not really live up to the high expectations. He became one of the fans' favourites and especially his pace was a danger for many opponents.
He decided to take a look at playing abroad and signed a contract with FC Zwolle
FC Zwolle
FC Zwolle is a Dutch football club based in Zwolle, currently playing in the Eerste Divisie, the country's second level of professional club football. The club was founded in 1990 after the bankruptcy of PEC. They have played in the Eredivisie, the highest tier of Dutch football, for a total of...
in Dutch Eerste Divisie
Eerste Divisie
The Eerste Divisie is the second-highest division of football in the Netherlands. It is linked with the top-level Eredivisie via a promotion/relegation system. It is also known as the Jupiler League due to sponsorship, which is the same name as the top league in Belgium...
in 2006. He had a good start, but after another injury to his anckle he was out for several months and lost his place in the first team. After 16 matches and 4 goals, he moved back to HJK Helsinki
HJK Helsinki
Helsingin Jalkapalloklubi , internationally known as HJK Helsinki, is a Finnish football club, based in the capital Helsinki...
, where he was welcomed as the lost son. In the 2008 season he played a total of 20 league games for 'Klubi' in which he scored four times.
'Pexi' had a big share in the victory over FC Honka in the Finnish Cup 2008
Finnish Cup 2008
2008 Finnish Cup was the fifty–fourth season of the main annual cup competition in Finland. It was organized as a single-elimination knock–out tournament.Participation in the competition is voluntary...
final. In own Finnair Stadium
Finnair Stadium
Sonera Stadium is a football stadium in Helsinki, Finland.The stadium was inaugurated in 2000. It has a capacity of 10,770 spectators...
the home team beat the visitors from Espoo
Espoo
Espoo is the second largest city and municipality in Finland. The population of the city of Espoo is . It is part of the Helsinki Metropolitan Area along with the cities of Helsinki, Vantaa, and Kauniainen. Espoo shares its eastern border with Helsinki and Vantaa, while enclosing Kauniainen....
with 2-1 after extra time. Oravainen scored the winning goal after 114 minutes with a magnificent strike from just outside the penalty box. That goal delivered HJK
HJK
HJK may stand for:* HJK Helsinki , association football club from Helsinki, Finland* Hærens Jegerkommando, the armed forces competence center for commando, airborne, and counterterrorist duty in the Norwegian Army...
the 10th Finnish Cup victory in its history and the third one for Oravainen himself. This makes him the player with most Suomen Cup victories of the current HJK squad.