Jump to content

Helsingin Jalkapalloklubi

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

HJK Helsinki
Full nameHelsingin Jalkapalloklubi
Nickname(s)Klubi (The Club)
Founded19 June 1907; 117 years ago (1907-06-19)
GroundBolt Arena
Capacity10,770
ChairmanOlli-Pekka Lyytikäinen
ManagerToni Korkeakunnas
LeagueVeikkausliiga
2024Veikkausliiga, 3rd of 12
Websitewww.hjk.fi
Current season

Helsingin Jalkapalloklubi (lit.'Helsinki's Football Club'), commonly known as HJK Helsinki (Swedish: HJK Helsingfors), or simply as HJK (Finnish pronunciation; hoo-jii-koo), is a Finnish football club based in Helsinki. The club competes in Veikkausliiga, the top division of the Finnish football league system. Founded in 1907, the club has spent most of its history in the top tier of Finnish football. The club's home ground is the 10,770-seat Bolt Arena, where they have played their home games since 2000.[1]

Generally considered as Finland's biggest club, HJK is the most successful Finnish club in terms of championship titles with 33. The club has also won 14 Finnish Cups and 6 Finnish League Cups. Many of Finland's most successful players have played for HJK before moving abroad. The club has also similar success with women's Kansallinen Liiga.

HJK is the only Finnish club that has participated in the UEFA Champions League group stage. In 1998, they beat Metz in the play-off round to clinch their place in the competition for the following season. HJK have also participated twice in the group stages of the UEFA Europa League in 2014–15 and 2022–23 respectively, along with appearing three times in the UEFA Europa Conference League. The club's highest score in a European competition came during the 2011–12 season, with a 13–0 aggregate victory over Welsh champions Bangor City, which included a 10–0 home win.

HJK's traditional kit colours have long been blue and white striped shirts with blue shorts and socks. The club's crest has been nearly untouched for a century, it has only undergone one minor font change in order to modernize it.

History

[edit]

20th century

[edit]

The club was founded as Helsingin Jalkapalloklubi – Helsingfors Fotbollsklubb in 1907 by Fredrik Wathén. The founding meeting was held at a bowling alley in Kaisaniemi Park in May. The first ever competitive fixture was played against Ekenäs IF in Ekenäs. HJK won 2–4.

Early on, HJK became popular amongst Finnish-speaking students, while Swedish-speaking students preferred to play mainly for Unitas or HIFK. In late 1908, after a heated debate, the language was switched to unilingually Finnish and this resulted in many Swedish-speaking members switching over to HIFK and other clubs, although a few chose to stay.

HJK squad that won the club's first title in 1911.

In 1909, the colours blue and white were chosen to support the fennoman movement and bandy was introduced as the club's second official sport. The club moved from Kaisaniemi Ground to the new Eläintarha Stadium. At the end of the year, Fredrik Wathen was forced to leave his post as the club's chairman due to illness.

In 1910, Lauri Tanner became the longest-running club chairman to date. The same year, the club's first international match was played, against Eriksdals IF from Stockholm in Kaisaniemi. The first championship title was won in 1911. In 1915, the club moved to newly build Töölön Pallokenttä. In 1916, tennis was introduced as the third official sport in HJK, and it was played in the club until the early 1920s. During the Finnish Civil War in 1918, two HJK club members, fighting for the "Whites", were killed.

Bolt Arena, located in the Töölö district of Helsinki.

In 1921, the first bandy championship was won and during the following five seasons, HJK reached five finals, winning three more titles. Bowling was added to the club's repertoire in 1925, but the bowlers formed their own club, Helsingin Keilaajat, the following year. In 1928, ice hockey became an official sport and the first championship was won in 1929. League format was introduced to Finnish football in 1930 but HJK failed to qualify for the first season. In 1931, HJK played their first season in the league, however at the end of the season, they were relegated.

Nabil Bahoui of AIK taking on HJK winger Demba Savage during a friendly match in March 2013.

During World War II, HJK lost 22 members serving in the military, of which nine fell in the Winter War, twelve in the Continuation War and one in the Lapland War. In 1943, handball was introduced as the club's sixth official sport. HJK won one silver and two bronze medals in handball during the following three seasons but did not gain further success. Handball was first of HJK's sports where women also competed. The women's team played a total of 22 seasons at the highest level; their highest finish was fourth.

In 1963, HJK played their last ever season in the second level of the football pyramid, winning 20 out of 22 matches and scoring 127 goals. In 1964, the newly promoted club won their tenth championship title and the following season, in 1965–66, they played their first European Cup match, against Manchester United at the Helsinki Olympic Stadium. However, a 2–9 aggregate loss resulted in HJK's elimination from the competition.

In 1966, the club secured their first ever cup title by winning KTP 6–1 in the final in front of 7,000 spectators. Bandy section was disbanded in the late 1960s. The last official sport, figure skating, was added into the club's repertoire in 1966, was abolished in 1972. The ice hockey section was also disbanded in 1972 and the last season in handball was played in 1978. Hereafter, HJK therefore only participated in football following 69 years as a multisport club.

1998–1999: First Champions League appearance

[edit]

The 1998–99 season saw HJK become the first and, to date, only Finnish club to play in the group stage of the UEFA Champions League after defeating Metz in the second qualifying round. The club also managed a respectable five points in their group, defeating Benfica at home and earning draws at home to 1. FC Kaiserslautern and away to Benfica. They lost to PSV twice and to Kaiserslautern away.

2000–2018: First Europa League appearance

[edit]

The club's current home stadium, the Bolt Arena, was opened in 2000. The 20th championship title was won in 2002, and in 2008 the club won its tenth Finnish Cup title. The 2009 season was the start of a championship run that resulted in six titles in a row from 2009 to 2014.

In 2014, HJK became the first Finnish club to play in the UEFA Europa League group stage after defeating Rapid Wien in the play-off round. HJK, with wins over Torino and Copenhagen at home, finished third in their group with six points.[2][3][4]

HJK made several acquisitions during the winter of 2015, including Córdoba forward Mike Havenaar, J-league playmaker Atomu Tanaka and Birmingham City holding midfielder Guy Moussi. With the new signings on their side, HJK began the season on a high by winning the league cup, a feat they had not accomplished since 1998. HJK also played its first local derby against HIFK since April 1972, drawing 1–1. However, HJK could not replicate the league success they had enjoyed for the last six seasons, finishing the 2015 season in third place, behind champions SJK and runners-up RoPS.

During the 2017 campaign the club lost only three games, which resulted in a domestic double.

HJK won the 2018 Veikkausliiga, 16 points clear at the top.

2019–2023: Toni Koskela era

[edit]
Toni Koskela managed HJK to win three Veikkausliiga titles in 2020–2022

HJK failed to win the 2019 championship, as KuPS won the league. HJK's season was unusually unsuccessful, manager Mika Lehkosuo was replaced by Toni Koskela mid-season, and the club finished in a disappointing 5th place in the league with 37 points. During the season, HJK named Miika Takkula their new sporting director in July.

Koskela's first three full seasons have seen HJK win three titles in a row, including the club's 30th championship in 2020. HJK also won the Finnish cup in 2020. For the 2022 season, HJK loaned in some new additions like Conor Hazard, Nassim Boujellab, Bojan Radulović and Malik Abubakari. The club's 2022 title was a remarkable 11th in 15 years.[5]

The club has also fared well in European competitions under Koskela. During the 2021 season, HJK qualified for the 2021–22 UEFA Europa Conference League group stage, where they finished 3rd in the group with six points. During the 2022 season, HJK qualified for the 2022–23 UEFA Europa League for only the second time in the club's history, by defeating Silkeborg IF 2–1 on aggregate in the play-off round. HJK's group included Italian AS Roma, Spanish Real Betis, and Bulgarian Ludogorets. Despite valiant home performances, HJK performed poorly on the road, losing all three away games with a total goal difference of 0–7. HJK ended the campaign fourth in the group with a single point, from a 1–1 draw to Ludogorets at home.[6]

HJK started the 2023 Veikkausliiga season relatively poorly, and eventually head coach Koskela was dismissed, following a 1–0 home victory against Larne FC in the Champions League qualifiers in July.

2023: Korkeakunnas

[edit]

Koskela was replaced by his last season's assistant coach Toni Korkeakunnas.[7] Korkeakunnas led HJK to a third consecutive European group stage, advancing to the 2023–24 UEFA Europa Conference League, by defeating Romanian champions Farul Constanța in the play-off round 3–2 on aggregate.[8] HJK also renewed their league title for the fourth straight season, on a goal difference against KuPS.

After the season, the club announced that Korkeakunnas will not receive a contract extension, and that the new manager would be announced soon.[9] It was also announced earlier in late August 2023, that sporting director Miika Takkula departs from the club.[10] In September, Vesa Mäki was named as his replacement as a new sporting director.[11]

2024: Sibila and Virta

[edit]

On 3 November 2023, the club announced that they had appointed Spanish coach Ferran Sibila as the manager of HJK on a two-year deal, starting in January 2024.[12] On 21 December 2023, it was reported by Helsingin Sanomat that Sibila lacks the required UEFA Pro -coaching licence, and thus would not be eligible to work solely as a head coach in Veikkausliiga.[13] The club's new sporting director Vesa Mäki, who was in charge of recruiting Sibila, said in the media that Sibila is going to start the required UEFA Pro -training in February 2024 in Sweden, or the club could name their assistant coach Ossi Virta as an associate head coach with Sibila.

On 3 January 2024, it was reported in Swedish media that Sibila was not granted a spot in the aforementioned UEFA Pro -training class by Swedish FA.[14][15][16] The next day, HJK announced that the club will comply with the licence requirements set by Veikkausliiga, Finnish FA and UEFA.[17][18] On 12 January 2024, HJK appointed Ossi Virta as the club's new interim head coach, until Sibila is able to attend the UEFA Pro -class.[19]

During the 2024 pre-season, reigning Veikkausliiga Top Goalscorer Bojan Radulović was sold to Huddersfield Town for £1.2 million and Defender of the Year Tuomas Ollila was acquired by Paris FC.

2024–present: Korkeakunnas returns

[edit]

On 20 May 2024, Ferran Sibila and the sporting director Vesa Mäki were both sacked and Toni Korkeakunnas was appointed the head coach of the first team again.[20]

Winger Topi Keskinen joined Aberdeen FC in August for an estimated transfer fee of around €1 million.[21] During the summer of 2024, as has become routine, HJK made a slate of transfers mid-season as the team’s form remained poor. The club brought in striker and former Veikkausliiga golden boot winner Lee Erwin, goalkeeper Thijmen Nijhuis, centre-backs Georgios Antzoulas and Daniel O'Shaughnessy, midfielder Kevor Palumets, and wingers Alessandro Albanese and Ozan Kökcü. Despite being knocked out of the Champions League earlier in the 1st qualifying round by Panevėžys, HJK managed to qualify for the UEFA Conference League new league phase, after defeating KÍ Klaksvík in the play-off round 3–2 on aggregate with two stoppage-time goals, making it the club's fourth consecutive appearance in the final phase of a European competition. During the club's European qualification campaign, Erwin scored five goals in six matches, including three goals over the two games against Klaksvik.[22]

After HJK was not able to defend their championship and had finished third in Veikkausliiga, in late October 2024 the club appointed Petri Vuorinen the new sporting director to fill the vacancy.

Crest and colours

[edit]

Badge

[edit]

In 1910, HJK arranged competition to find a crest for club, but the club board wasn't happy with the proposals. The crest was finally designed by Osmo Korvenkontio in 1913, it has only gone through minor changes during history.[23]

Colours

[edit]

First kit of HJK was plain white shirt, black shorts and black socks with few white horizontal stripes on top. In 1909 HJK introduced its trademark blue and white striped shirt. Blue and white colours were homage to fennoman movement.[24] Black trunks still remained for decades. Shirt was changed to unicolour blue for season 1973 due to pressure from sponsors. In attempt to professionalize hockey department club had fallen in to financial despair and sponsors demanded more visibility for their logos. Clubs financial situation had improved by 1986 and due fans demands shirt was changed back to striped by the end of the year and has remained so ever since.[25]

HJK home colours 1907–08
HJK home colours 1909–50s
HJK home colours 1960s–72, 1986–
HJK home colours 1973
HJK home colours 1979
HJK home colours 1985
[26]

[27][28][29]

Honours

[edit]
HJK after winning the club's first Finnish Cup title in 1966

Football

[edit]
  • Finnish Women's Championship:
    • Winners (23): 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1979, 1980, 1981, 1984, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1991. 1992, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2005, 2019
  • Finnish Women's Cup:
    • Winners (17): 1981, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2002, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2017, 2019

Ice hockey

[edit]

Bandy

[edit]

Figure skating

[edit]
  • Finnish Champions
    • Pia Wingisaar: 1966, 1967
    • Anuliisa Numminen: 1970
    • Tarja Säde: 1971
    • Tarja Näsi: 1972

League history

[edit]
Sources:[30][31]
Season to Season of HJK Helsinki
Season Level Division Section Record Position Movements
1931 Tier 1 SM-Sarja (Division One) 7 0 3 4 12–16 3 7th Relegated
1932 Tier 2 Suomensarja (Division Two) 5 4 0 1 10–4 8 1st Promoted
1933 Tier 1 SM-Sarja (Division One) 14 5 6 3 20–14 16 2nd
1934 Tier 1 SM-Sarja (Division One) 14 5 4 5 23–18 14 5th
1935 Tier 1 SM-Sarja (Division One) 14 6 2 6 32–26 14 4th
1936 Tier 1 SM-Sarja (Division One) 14 9 1 4 37–21 19 1st Champions
1937 Tier 1 SM-Sarja (Division One) 14 8 4 2 58–24 20 2nd
1938 Tier 1 SM-Sarja (Division One) 14 8 4 2 43–24 20 1st Champions
1939 Tier 1 SM-Sarja (Division One) 13 7 4 2 40–18 18 2nd
1940–1941 Tier 1 SM-Sarja (Division One) 12 4 2 6 22–30 10 5th
1943–1944 Tier 1 SM-Sarja (Division One) 7 1 2 4 20–22 4 7th
1945 Tier 1 SM-Sarja (Division One) 5 2 1 2 11–13 5 5th Relegated
1945–1946 Tier 2 Suomensarja (Division Two) 14 11 0 3 60–25 20 2nd Promoted
1946–1947 Tier 1 SM-Sarja (Division One) 14 4 3 7 26–41 11 6th
1947–1948 Tier 1 SM-Sarja (Division One) 14 6 2 6 33–27 14 5th
1948 Tier 1 SM-Sarja (Division One) 15 6 6 3 32–20 18 4th
1949 Tier 1 SM-Sarja (Division One) 22 5 4 13 27–55 10th Relegated
1950 Tier 2 Suomensarja (Division Two) East 18 13 3 2 56–17 29 2nd
1951 Tier 2 Suomensarja (Division Two) East 18 12 2 4 56–20 26 2nd
1952 Tier 2 Suomensarja (Division Two) West 18 12 3 3 63–27 27 1st Promoted
1953 Tier 1 SM-Sarja (Division One) 18 7 3 8 28–22 17 6th
1954 Tier 1 SM-Sarja (Division One) 18 9 4 5 31–18 22 3rd
1955 Tier 1 SM-Sarja (Division One) 18 5 5 8 35–35 15 8th
1956 Tier 1 SM-Sarja (Division One) 18 9 3 6 39–28 21 2nd
1957 Tier 1 SM-Sarja (Division One) 18 5 8 5 26–26 18 6th
1958 Tier 1 SM-Sarja (Division One) 18 9 2 7 45–34 20 5th
1959 Tier 1 SM-Sarja (Division One) 18 4 5 9 28–39 13 8th
1960 Tier 1 SM-Sarja (Division One) 22 5 8 9 44–51 18 9th
1961 Tier 1 SM-Sarja (Division One) 22 7 7 8 42–41 21 6th
1962 Tier 1 SM-Sarja (Division One) 22 6 4 12 33–57 16 11th Relegated
1963 Tier 2 Suomensarja (Division Two) East 22 20 1 1 127–18 41 1st Promoted
1964 Tier 1 SM-Sarja (Division One) 22 14 6 2 42–18 34 1st Champions
1965 Tier 1 SM-Sarja (Division One) 22 12 5 5 50–30 29 2nd
1966 Tier 1 SM-Sarja (Division One) 22 10 7 5 46–30 27 2nd
1967 Tier 1 SM-Sarja (Division One) 22 11 3 8 59–38 25 5th
1968 Tier 1 SM-Sarja (Division One) 22 11 7 4 51–30 29 3rd
1969 Tier 1 SM-Sarja (Division One) 22 11 5 6 50–32 27 3rd
1970 Tier 1 SM-Sarja (Division One) 22 9 7 6 37–26 25 5th
1971 Tier 1 SM-Sarja (Division One) 26 10 11 5 46–32 31 4th
1972 Tier 1 SM-Sarja (Division One) 22 10 1 11 24–32 21 9th
1973 Tier 1 SM-Sarja (Division One) 22 14 5 3 36–21 33 1st Champions
1974 Tier 1 SM-Sarja (Division One) 22 12 4 6 43–27 28 3rd
1975 Tier 1 SM-Sarja (Division One) 22 8 2 12 29–37 18 8th
1976 Tier 1 SM-Sarja (Division One) 22 12 5 5 40–25 29 3rd
1977 Tier 1 SM-Sarja (Division One) 22 9 5 8 27–25 23 7th
1978 Tier 1 SM-Sarja (Division One) 22 13 7 2 52–29 33 1st Champions
1979 Tier 1 SM-Sarja (Division One) 29 14 7 8 48–36 35 3rd
1980 Tier 1 SM-Sarja (Division One) 29 15 9 5 48–28 24 3rd
1981 Tier 1 SM-Sarja (Division One) 29 17 5 7 57–32 25 1st Champions
1982 Tier 1 SM-Sarja (Division One) 29 15 4 10 62–47 22 2nd
1983 Tier 1 SM-Sarja (Division One) 29 15 9 5 61–37 25 2nd
1984 Tier 1 SM-Sarja (Division One) 22 10 6 6 49–37 26 5th
1985 Tier 1 SM-Sarja (Division One) 22 11 6 5 41–23 28(Preliminary) 1st Champions via Playoffs
1986 Tier 1 SM-Sarja (Division One) 22 10 10 2 42–23 30 3rd
1987 Tier 1 SM-Sarja (Division One) 22 15 3 4 38–14 33 1st Champions
1988 Tier 1 SM-Sarja (Division One) 27 20 3 4 55–28 43 1st Champions
1989 Tier 1 SM-Sarja (Division One) 27 11 7 9 36–28 29 5th
1990 Tier 1 Veikkausliiga (Division One) 22 11 6 5 40–29 28(Preliminary) 1st Champions via Playoffs
1991 Tier 1 Veikkausliiga (Division One) 33 14 9 10 61–44 51 5th
1992 Tier 1 Veikkausliiga (Division One) 33 20 6 7 59–35 66 1st Champions
1993 Tier 1 Veikkausliiga (Division One) 29 15 4 10 34–26 49 3rd
1994 Tier 1 Veikkausliiga (Division One) 26 12 7 7 40–29 43 3rd
1995 Tier 1 Veikkausliiga (Division One) 26 14 10 2 44–18 52 3rd
1996 Tier 1 Veikkausliiga (Division One) 27 11 5 11 36–37 38 9th
1997 Tier 1 Veikkausliiga (Division One) 27 18 4 5 53–18 58 1st Champions
1998 Tier 1 Veikkausliiga (Division One) 27 9 11 7 33–31 38 4th
1999 Tier 1 Veikkausliiga (Division One) 29 20 5 4 53–18 65 2nd
2000 Tier 1 Veikkausliiga (Division One) 33 16 9 8 51–33 57 4th
2001 Tier 1 Veikkausliiga (Division One) 33 19 10 4 64–19 67 2nd
2002 Tier 1 Veikkausliiga (Division One) 29 20 5 4 51–21 65 1st Champions
2003 Tier 1 Veikkausliiga (Division One) 26 17 6 3 51–15 57 1st Champions
2004 Tier 1 Veikkausliiga (Division One) 26 9 12 5 42–31 39 6th
2005 Tier 1 Veikkausliiga (Division One) 26 15 7 4 43–26 52 2nd
2006 Tier 1 Veikkausliiga (Division One) 24 13 6 5 45–18 45 2nd
2007 Tier 1 Veikkausliiga (Division One) 26 7 13 6 31–25 34 7th
2008 Tier 1 Veikkausliiga (Division One) 26 14 5 7 47–29 47 4th
2009 Tier 1 Veikkausliiga (Division One) 26 14 10 2 45–21 52 1st Champions
2010 Tier 1 Veikkausliiga (Division One) 26 15 7 4 43–19 52 1st Champions
2011 Tier 1 Veikkausliiga (Division One) 33 26 3 4 86–23 81 1st Champions
2012 Tier 1 Veikkausliiga (Division One) 33 19 7 7 63–33 64 1st Champions
2013 Tier 1 Veikkausliiga (Division One) 33 22 7 4 78–25 73 1st Champions
2014 Tier 1 Veikkausliiga (Division One) 33 21 9 3 65–22 72 1st Champions
2015 Tier 1 Veikkausliiga (Division One) 33 16 10 7 45–30 58 3rd
2016 Tier 1 Veikkausliiga (Division One) 33 16 10 7 52–36 58 2nd
2017 Tier 1 Veikkausliiga (Division One) 33 23 7 3 78–16 76 1st Champions
2018 Tier 1 Veikkausliiga (Division One) 33 24 6 3 61–19 78 1st Champions
2019 Tier 1 Veikkausliiga (Division One) 27 9 10 8 33–29 37 5th
2020 Tier 1 Veikkausliiga (Division One) 22 14 6 2 53–17 48 1st Champions
2021 Tier 1 Veikkausliiga (Division One) 27 18 5 4 41–19 59 1st Champions
2022 Tier 1 Veikkausliiga (Division One) 27 18 4 5 41–23 58 1st Champions
2023 Tier 1 Veikkausliiga (Division One) 27 15 8 4 50–26 53 1st Champions
2024 Tier 1 Veikkausliiga (Division One) 27 13 6 8 44–27 45 3rd

Supporters and rivalries

[edit]
HJK supporters at the Bolt Arena in 2017.
HJK supporters Tifo in 2022

HJK Helsinki supporters Historically HJK had a wide support within Finnish speaking, prosperous middle class of Helsinki. The club's supporters were often nationalistic after the fashion of almost every other Finnish FA club at the time. Leftist working class' clubs played their own leagues and competitions under the Finnish Workers' Sports Federation. However, The club remained open to all 'honorable citizens' regardless of their native language, race or social class, and always had members from other communities as well. Before the 1970s HJK came to be known especially as a Töölöan club due to most of their activity taking place in this particular district.

During recent decades the club's old image as a prosperous, middle class group from Töölö has largely disappeared due to social changes in Finland as well as migration from inner city to housing projects built during the mass migration from the countryside during the 1960s and the 1970s.[3][2]

The Helsinki Derby and other local rivalries

[edit]

HJK's main rivals in Helsinki were widely considered to be Kiffen, HPS and HIFK. In the past these were the four big clubs from Helsinki. The clubs were mainly separated by language, HJK and HPS being Finnish speaking clubs whereas HIFK and KIF were Swedish speaking. These four clubs competed also in bandy, ice hockey and handball. The support for HJK mainly came from around the inner city and after 1940s also from Töölö, in its early years HPS Support came from same areas as HJK. Later in 1940s and 1950s when HJK support shifted more towards Töölö area, HPS gained more support in Vallila and Alppila districts, this was mostly due their youth activities taking part in those particular areas, these boundaries were not strict however and each of the four clubs had support, players and members across the city. HJK were already founding youth teams to new suburbs in 1960s and their reputation as a Töölöan club was short lived.[32] KIF and HPS were both struggling to survive and were both relegated to lower leagues after 1964 season and rapidly lost their support. KIF made a brief two season stint to first level in 1977–78. While both KIF and HPS are still active as of 2020, they have spend their recent decades playing in lower levels, HPS focusing more on youth football in northern Helsinki.[33]

HJK squad in 1964.

HJK and HIFK share the biggest rivalry being two of the oldest and most successful clubs. Both were also successful in Bandy which was major winter sport in the first half of the 20th century, KIF and HPS gained lesser success. Also in Ice Hockey clubs faced numerous times and played more seasons in first level than HPS or KIF. A match between these two clubs is called as Stadin derby. Language was the biggest separating factor between the clubs, HIFK was the club of choice for the Swedish speaking population of the city and HJK for the Finnish speaking. In 2015 HIFK was promoted back to the top flight after 40 years of struggling in the lower leagues having played their last season in the top division in 1972. Since HJK ceased their activity in other sports during the 1960s and 1970s the rivalry faded away on a large scale and in recent decades many even supported both clubs at the same time, HJK in football and HIFK in ice hockey. However, due to the rise of the Finnish supporter scene in the 2000s, there is a high tension between the most vocal supporters.

HJK shared a short but fierce rivalry with FC Jokerit around the late 1990s and the early 2000s. Jokerit were well supported due to their popular ice hockey section and the clubs also competed against each other in ice hockey in the late 1960s and the early 1970s.[34][35][36]

Multiple Helsinki based clubs have played in the league but due to their short term visits and relatively low support base large scale rivalries were never born. Some notable clubs were Ponnistus, FinnPa, Pallo-Pojat and Helsingin Toverit.[37][38][39][40][3][2]

Helsinki-Lahti rivalry

[edit]

HJK has competed against Lahti based clubs from the 1960s, between 1964 and 1980 HJK and Lahden Reipas had a minor rivalry as both clubs gained good success winning some titles and were also generally well supported. Reipas also won seven cup titles against one of HJK. Reipas was relegated after 1980 season. More notable rivalry was against Kuusysi from the early 1980s to the mid-1990s. Between 1981 and 1992 HJK won six league titles against Kuusysi's five, both clubs also won the cup twice, facing two times in the finals (which were both won by HJK). Both clubs also performed well in the European competitions. In 1996 both the Lahti clubs merged and FC Lahti was born, HJK and FC Lahti matches are more known from outside pitch activities, some crowd disturbances and small fights have occurred[41] which otherwise are rare in Finnish football. Due to a relatively short distance between the two cities, these matches often draw more notable away support than others.

HJK-Haka rivalry

[edit]

HJK and Valkeakosken Haka are the two most successful clubs in Finnish football, HJK with 27 league and 12 cup titles and Haka with 9 league and 12 cup titles. The match is also considered as "urban vs. rural" rivalry as HJK is a club from Finland's biggest city Helsinki and Haka is representing the small town of Valkeakoski.

Players

[edit]

First team squad

[edit]
As of 9 December 2024[42]

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 Finland FIN Jesse Öst
2 DF England ENG Brooklyn Lyons-Foster
3 DF Greece GRE Georgios Antzoulas
4 DF Finland FIN Joona Toivio
5 DF Finland FIN Daniel O'Shaughnessy
7 FW Finland FIN Santeri Hostikka
8 MF Greece GRE Georgios Kanellopoulos
9 FW England ENG Luke Plange (on loan from Crystal Palace)
10 MF Finland FIN Lucas Lingman
17 FW Burkina Faso BFA Hassane Bandé
20 FW Finland FIN Roni Hudd
No. Pos. Nation Player
22 MF Finland FIN Liam Möller
23 MF Azerbaijan AZE Ozan Kökçü
24 DF Finland FIN Michael Boamah
25 GK Netherlands NED Thijmen Nijhuis
27 DF Finland FIN Kevin Kouassivi-Benissan
28 DF Finland FIN Miska Ylitolva
30 MF Finland FIN Noah Pallas
37 FW Japan JPN Atomu Tanaka
42 FW Finland FIN Kai Meriluoto
80 MF Estonia EST Kevor Palumets (on loan from Zulte Waregem)
94 FW Scotland SCO Lee Erwin

Out on loan

[edit]
As of 22 July 2024

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 Aaro Soiniemi (at TPS until 31 December 2024)
FW Finland FIN David Ezeh (at Raków Częstochowa until 20 March 2025)
GK Finland FIN Elmo Henriksson (at Sporting Gijón until 31 December 2024)
No. Pos. Nation Player
MF Finland FIN Aaro Toivonen (at Tallinna Kalev until 31 December 2024)
FW Finland FIN Stanislav Baranov (at Tallinna Kalev until 31 December 2024)
FW Finland FIN Anthony Olusanya (at Haka until 31 December 2024)

Reserve team

[edit]

HJK's reserve team Klubi 04 currently plays in the Ykkönen, Finnish third-tier.[43]

Klubi 04 squad

[edit]
As of 22 January 2024 [44]

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

No. Pos. Nation Player
45 DF Finland FIN Lukas Kuusisto
48 FW Nigeria NGA Francis Etu
51 FW Finland FIN Kaius Hardén
54 MF Finland FIN Pyry Mentu
61 DF Finland FIN Kaius Simojoki
62 DF Sweden SWE Nils Svensson
64 MF Finland FIN Matias Ritari
76 GK Finland FIN Vilho Tuokkola
78 GK Finland FIN Alex Ramula
91 FW Finland FIN Ville Vuorinen
96 DF Finland FIN William Grönblom
98 DF Finland FIN Alex Lietsa
No. Pos. Nation Player
MF Finland FIN Otto Hannula
FW Kosovo KOS Art Berisha
GK Finland FIN Mustafa Abdulmuttaleb
GK Finland FIN Joel Tynkkynen
FW Finland FIN Toivo Mero
DF Finland FIN Jere Kari
MF Finland FIN Marlo Hyvönen
DF Finland FIN Emil Leveälahti
DF Finland FIN Eemil Toivonen
FW Finland FIN Elmer Vauhkonen
FW Finland FIN Emil Ingman

Out on loan

[edit]

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

No. Pos. Nation Player
MF Sweden SWE Hadi Noori (at AFC Eskilstuna until 31 December 2024)

Management and boardroom

[edit]

Coaching Staff

[edit]

Updated 6 June 2024[45]

Name Role
Finland Toni Korkeakunnas Manager
Finland Mikael Forssell Assistant Coach
Finland Ossi Virta Assistant Coach
Spain Óscar García Rodríguez Assistant Coach
Finland Ville Wallén Goalkeeping Coach
Finland Joni Ruuskanen Fitness Coach

Performance Unit

[edit]

Also with Women's team and Reserve team. Updated 30 March 2022

Name Role
Finland Niklas Virtanen Head of physical therapy and fitness coaching
Finland Risto-Matti Toivonen Head of sports science
Spain Álvaro Molinos Fitness Coach
Finland Toni Taipale Physiotherapist
Finland Pauliina Pitkänen Physiotherapist
Finland Tuomas Brinck Doctor
Finland Klaus Köhler Doctor

Boardroom

[edit]

Updated 20 May 2024[46][47]

Name Role
Finland Aki Riihilahti CEO
Finland Sirja Luomaniemi Commercial Director
Finland Petri Vuorinen Sporting Director

Managers and captains

[edit]

European record

[edit]

UEFA club competition record

[edit]

Updated 24 October 2024.

Competition Pld W D L GF GA
UEFA Champions League 85 31 14 40 109 132
UEFA Cup / UEFA Europa League 78 22 12 44 79 152
UEFA Cup Winners' Cup 12 6 1 5 18 24
UEFA Europa Conference League 20 7 3 10 22 43
UEFA Intertoto Cup 4 1 2 1 6 6
Total 199 67 33 99 243 360

UEFA club ranking

[edit]

This is the current UEFA club ranking.[61]

As of 25 October 2024
Rank Team Points
116 France Reims 11.761
117 Switzerland Servette 11.500
118 Finland HJK 11.500
119 Estonia Flora 11.500
120 Netherlands Twente 11.080

Matches

[edit]
Season Competition Round Opposing team Home Away Aggregate Y/N
1965–66 European Cup PR England Manchester United 2–3 0–6 2–9
1967–68 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup 1R Poland Wisła Kraków 1–4 0–4 1–8
1974–75 European Cup 1R Malta Valletta 4–1 0–1 4–2
2R Sweden Åtvidabergs FF 0–3 0–1 0–4
1975–76 UEFA Cup PR Germany Hertha Berlin 1–2 1–4 2–6
1979–80 European Cup 1R Netherlands Ajax Amsterdam 1–8 1–8 2–16
1982–83 European Cup 1R Cyprus Omonia 3–0 0–2 3–2
2R England Liverpool 1–0 0–5 1–5
1983–84 UEFA Cup 1R Soviet Union Spartak Moscow 0–5 0–2 0–7
1984–85 UEFA Cup PR Soviet Union Dinamo Minsk 0–6 0–4 0–10
1985–86 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup 1R Albania Flamurtari 3–2 2–1 5–3
2R East Germany Dynamo Dresden 1–0 2–7 3–7
1986–87 European Cup 1R Cyprus APOEL 3–2 0–1 3–3 (a)
1988–89 European Cup 1R Portugal FC Porto 2–0 0–3 2–3
1989–90 European Cup 1R Italy A.C. Milan 0–1 0–4 0–5
1991–92 European Cup 1R Soviet Union Dynamo Kyiv 0–1 0–3 0–4
1993–94 UEFA Champions League PR Estonia Norma Tallinn 1–1 1–0 2–1
1R Belgium Anderlecht 0–3 0–3 0–6
1994–95 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup PR Faroe Islands B71 Sandur 2–0 5–0 7–0
1R Turkey Beşiktaş 1–1 0–2 1–3
1995 UEFA Intertoto Cup Group 5 Sweden IFK Norrköping 1–1 3rd
Republic of Ireland Bohemians 3–2
Denmark OB Odense 1–2
France Bordeaux 1–1
1996–97 UEFA Cup PR Armenia Pyunik Yerevan 5–2 (aet) 1–3 6–5
QR Ukraine Chernomorets Odesa 2–2 0–2 2–4
1997–98 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup QR Serbia and Montenegro Red Star Belgrade 1–0 0–3 1–3
1998–99 UEFA Champions League 1QR Armenia FC Yerevan 2–0 3–0 5–0
2QR France FC Metz 1–0 1–1 2–1
Group F Netherlands PSV Eindhoven 1–3 1–2 4th
Germany 1. FC Kaiserslautern 0–0 2–5
Portugal Benfica 2–0 2–2
1999–00 UEFA Cup QR Armenia Shirak Gyumri 2–0 0–1 2–1
1R France Lyon 0–1 1–5 1–6
2000–01 UEFA Cup QR Luxembourg CS Grevenmacher 4–1 0–2 4–3
1R Scotland Celtic 2–1 (aet) 0–2 2–3
2001–02 UEFA Cup QR Latvia FK Ventspils 2–1 1–0 3–1
1R Italy Parma 0–2 0–1 0–3
2002–03 UEFA Cup QR Belarus FC Gomel 0–4 0–1 0–5
2003–04 UEFA Champions League 1QR Northern Ireland Glentoran 1–0 0–0 1–0
2QR Hungary MTK Budapest 1–0 1–3 2–3
2004–05 UEFA Champions League 1QR Northern Ireland Linfield 1–0 1–0 2–0
2QR Israel Maccabi Tel Aviv 0–0 0–1 0–1
2006–07 UEFA Cup 1QR Republic of Ireland Drogheda United 1–1 1–3 (aet) 2–4
2007–08 UEFA Cup 1QR Luxembourg FC Etzella Ettelbruck 2–0 1–0 3–0
2QR Denmark Aalborg BK 2–1 0–3 2–4
2009–10 UEFA Europa League 2QR Lithuania FK Vėtra 1–3 1–0 2–3
2010–11 UEFA Champions League 2QR Lithuania FK Ekranas 2–0 (aet) 0–1 2–1
3QR Serbia FK Partizan 1–2 0–3 1–5
UEFA Europa League PO Turkey Beşiktaş 0–4 0–2 0–6
2011–12 UEFA Champions League 2QR Wales Bangor City 10–0 3–0 13–0
3QR Croatia Dinamo Zagreb 1–2 0–1 1–3
UEFA Europa League PO Germany Schalke 04 2–0 1–6 3–6
2012–13 UEFA Champions League 2QR Iceland KR Reykjavik 7–0 2–1 9–1
3QR Scotland Celtic 0–2 1–2 1–4
UEFA Europa League PO Spain Athletic Bilbao 3–3 0–6 3–9
2013–14 UEFA Champions League 2QR Estonia Nõmme Kalju 0–0 1–2 1–2
2014–15 UEFA Champions League 2QR North Macedonia FK Rabotnički 2–1 0–0 2–1
3QR Cyprus APOEL 2–2 0–2 2–4
UEFA Europa League PO Austria SK Rapid Wien 2–1 3–3 5–4
Group B Denmark Copenhagen 2–1 0–2 3rd
Belgium Club Brugge 0–3 1–2
Italy Torino 2–1 0–2
2015–16 UEFA Champions League 2QR Latvia FK Ventspils 1–0 3–1 4–1
3QR Kazakhstan Astana 0–0 3–4 3–4
UEFA Europa League PO Russia Krasnodar 0–0 1–5 1–5
2016–17 UEFA Europa League 1QR Lithuania FK Atlantas 1–1 2–0 3–1
2QR Bulgaria Beroe Stara Zagora 1–0 1–1 2–1
3QR Sweden IFK Göteborg 0–2 2–1 2–3
2017–18 UEFA Europa League 1QR Wales Connah's Quay Nomads 3–0 0–1 3–1
2QR North Macedonia Shkëndija 1–1 1–3 2–4
2018–19 UEFA Champions League 1QR Faroe Islands Víkingur Gøta 3–1 2–1 5–2
2QR Belarus BATE Borisov 1–2 0–0 1–2
UEFA Europa League 3QR Slovenia Olimpija Ljubljana 1–4 0–3 1–7
2019–20 UEFA Champions League 1QR Faroe Islands HB Tórshavn 3–0 2–2 5−2
2QR Serbia Red Star Belgrade 2–1 0–2 2−3
UEFA Europa League 3QR Latvia Riga FC 2–2 1–1 3−3 (a)
2021–22 UEFA Champions League 1QR Montenegro Budućnost Podgorica 3–1 4–0 7–1
2QR Sweden Malmö FF 2–2 1–2 3−4
UEFA Europa League 3QR Azerbaijan Neftçi Baku 3–0 2–2 5–2
PO Turkey Fenerbahçe 2–5 0–1 2–6
UEFA Europa Conference League Group A Austria LASK 0–2 0–3 3rd
Armenia Alashkert 1–0 4–2
Israel Maccabi Tel Aviv 0−5 0−3
2022–23 UEFA Champions League 1QR Latvia RFS 1–0 1−2 (a.e.t.) 2–2 (5–4 p)
2QR Czech Republic Viktoria Plzeň 1−2 0−5 1–7
UEFA Europa League 3QR Slovenia Maribor 1–0 2–0 3–0
PO Denmark Silkeborg 1–0 1–1 2–1
Group C Italy AS Roma 1−2 0−3 4th
Bulgaria Ludogorets Razgrad 1–1 0−2
Spain Real Betis 0−2 0−3
2023–24 UEFA Champions League 1QR Northern Ireland Larne 1–0 2–2 (a.e.t.) 3–2
2QR Norway Molde 1–0 0−2 1−2
UEFA Europa League 3QR Azerbaijan Qarabağ 1−2 1−2 2–4
UEFA Europa Conference League PO Romania Farul Constanța 2–0 1−2 3–2
Group G Germany Eintracht Frankfurt 0–1 0–6 4th
Greece PAOK 2–3 2–4
Scotland Aberdeen 2–2 1–1
2024–25 UEFA Champions League 1QR Lithuania Panevėžys 1–1 0–3 1–4
UEFA Conference League 2QR Bye
3QR Montenegro Dečić 1–0 1−2 (a.e.t.) 2–2 (4–3 p)
PO Faroe Islands 2–1 2–2 4–3
League Switzerland Lugano 0–3
Belarus Dinamo Minsk 1–0
Slovenia Olimpija Ljubljana 0–2
Greece Panathinaikos
Norway Molde
Spain Real Betis

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "HJK Helsinki – HJK.fi". Archived from the original on 1 December 2017. Retrieved 2 August 2015.
  2. ^ a b c Aalto, Seppo ym: Tähtien tarina: Helsingin jalkapalloklubi 100 vuotta. Helsingin Jalkapalloklubi, 2007. ISBN 978-952-92-2062-5.
  3. ^ a b c Tuhkunen, Yrjö: Helsingin Jalkapalloklubi 1907–1957. Helsinki: Laatupaino Oy, 1957.
  4. ^ "HJK Helsinki – Helsingin Jalkapalloklubi – HJK.fi". HJK Helsinki. Archived from the original on 24 February 2011. Retrieved 7 March 2017.
  5. ^ HJK jälleen mestari – kolmas peräkkäinen ja kautta aikain jo 32:s Suomen mestaruus ratkesi Tehtaan kentällä Archived 28 November 2023 at the Wayback Machine, Turun Sanomat, 9 October 2022
  6. ^ Europa League 2022-23 Archived 28 November 2023 at the Wayback Machine, terrikon.com
  7. ^ "Larne's impressive Champions League debut as HJK Helsinki sack manager". 13 July 2023. Archived from the original on 28 November 2023. Retrieved 7 October 2023.
  8. ^ HJK taisteli jättimäisen voiton! Europelien lohkovaihe kutsuu Archived 1 September 2023 at the Wayback Machine, Ilta-Sanomat, 31 August 2023
  9. ^ HJK vahvisti: Toni Korkeakunnas saa lähteä Archived 1 November 2023 at the Wayback Machine, Iltalehti, 28 October 2023
  10. ^ Miika Takkula jättää HJK:n urheilujohtajan tehtävät, hjk.fi, 28 August 2023
  11. ^ Vesa Mäki on HJK:n uusi urheilujohtaja, hjk.fi, 4 September 2023
  12. ^ Ferran Sibila HJK:n päävalmentajaksi kahden vuoden sopimuksella Archived 7 November 2023 at the Wayback Machine, hjk.fi, 3 November 2023
  13. ^ HJK:n uudelta päävalmentajalta puuttuu vaadittava lisenssi tehtävään – sanktiot uhkana, Helsingin Sanomat, Ari Virtanen, 21 December 2023
  14. ^ Sibila nobbad av SvFF, HJK tvingas "byta" huvudtränare, fotbollskanalen.se, 3 January 2024
  15. ^ Kommentti: Häpeällistä, HJK! Nolo tilanne voi pakottaa rajuun ratkaisuun, MTV Oy/ mtvuutiset.fi, Eetu Ikola, 4 January 2024
  16. ^ Valmentajan lisenssin puuttuminen ajoi HJK:n umpikujaan – edessä vain huonoja vaihtoehtoja, Helsingin Sanomat, Juha Kanerva, 4 January 2024
  17. ^ Päivitys päävalmentajauutisointiin, hjk.fi, 4 January 2024
  18. ^ Näin syntyi HJK:n valmentajasotku, Helsingin Sanomat, Ari Virtanen, 10 January 2024
  19. ^ Ossi Virrasta HJK:n päävalmentaja, hjk.fi, 12 January 2024
  20. ^ Toni Korkeakunnas palaa HJK:n päävalmentajaksi, hjk.fi, 20 May 2024
  21. ^ Topi Keskinen siirtyy Skotlannin pääsarjaan – HJK:lle merkittävä siirtokorvaus, Yle, 12 August 2024
  22. ^ Lee Erwin teki sen taas! HJK menee Konferenssiliigaan, suomifutis.com, 29 August 2024
  23. ^ Tähtien Tarina. Gummerus. 2007. p. 18. ISBN 978-952-92-2062-5.
  24. ^ Tähtien Tarina. Gummerus. 2007. p. 14. ISBN 978-952-92-2062-5.
  25. ^ Helsingin Sanomat 14.8.1986 no 209
  26. ^ "Juha Tamminen". juhatamminen.photoshelter.com. Archived from the original on 13 July 2020. Retrieved 15 August 2020.
  27. ^ https://www.facebook.com/search/photos?q=urheilumuseo [user-generated source]
  28. ^ "Porifutis". Archived from the original on 21 October 2013. Retrieved 15 August 2020.
  29. ^ "Pertti Alajan entinen pelikaveri muistelee, miten "Pera ei meinannut mennä millään kentälle kultaisissa kengissä"". Helsingin Sanomat. 18 August 2017. Archived from the original on 14 August 2019. Retrieved 27 March 2021.
  30. ^ "Finland – List of League First Level Tables". RSSSF. Archived from the original on 17 July 2010. Retrieved 3 February 2023.
  31. ^ "Finland – List of League Second Level Tables". RSSSF. Archived from the original on 24 September 2022. Retrieved 3 February 2023.
  32. ^ Tähtien tarina: Helsingin jalkapalloklubi 100 vuotta. Helsingin Jalkapalloklubi, 2007. ISBN 978-952-92-2062-5.
  33. ^ "SEURAN HISTORIA – Helsingin palloseura ry". hps.fi. Archived from the original on 14 April 2021. Retrieved 27 March 2021.
  34. ^ "Veikkausliigan verkkonäyttely: FC Jokerit". Archived from the original on 8 December 2014. Retrieved 11 February 2015.
  35. ^ Runqvist, Boris (24 January 2012). "Huippufutista Boriksen mitalla: Arkiston kätköistä, osa 1: koko kansan Paavo". Archived from the original on 24 June 2021. Retrieved 18 June 2021.
  36. ^ "Kaikki alkoi Töölön Vesasta". Jokerit.com. Archived from the original on 30 July 2021. Retrieved 18 June 2021.
  37. ^ "Vieraalle maalle". 28 October 2014. Archived from the original on 17 February 2015. Retrieved 11 February 2015.
  38. ^ "Yhdellä jalalla". 8 July 2014. Archived from the original on 11 February 2015. Retrieved 11 February 2015.
  39. ^ "Punaisia hetkiä Olympiastadionilla – HIFK Fotboll". 11 June 2014. Archived from the original on 5 January 2017. Retrieved 11 February 2015.
  40. ^ "Moni Helsingin futisjätti on kadonnut kartalta". 2 September 2014. Archived from the original on 11 February 2015. Retrieved 11 February 2015.
  41. ^ "Taas joukkotappelu HJK-Lahti -ottelussa". Archived from the original on 21 October 2012. Retrieved 24 April 2011.
  42. ^ "Squad & Staff". Retrieved 2 January 2024.
  43. ^ "Klubi 04". hjk.fi. Archived from the original on 27 March 2019. Retrieved 10 February 2021.
  44. ^ "HJK Klubi 04 Team". HJK Helsinki. Retrieved 22 January 2024.
  45. ^ "HJK Helsinki – Squad & Staff" (in Finnish). HJK Helsinki. Archived from the original on 6 April 2023. Retrieved 27 July 2023.
  46. ^ "Contacts". HJK Helsinki. Archived from the original on 28 November 2023. Retrieved 11 September 2023.
  47. ^ Mäntylä, Pekka (4 September 2023). "Vesa Mäki on HJK:n uusi urheilujohtaja". HJK Helsinki (in Finnish). Archived from the original on 7 September 2023. Retrieved 11 September 2023.
  48. ^ "hjk". Archived from the original on 16 September 2007.
  49. ^ "MTVuutiset". 27 March 2008. Archived from the original on 24 February 2022. Retrieved 24 February 2022.
  50. ^ "kymppipaikka". Archived from the original on 24 February 2022. Retrieved 24 February 2022.
  51. ^ "hjk". 18 March 2013. Archived from the original on 24 February 2022. Retrieved 24 February 2022.
  52. ^ "hjk". 27 March 2014. Archived from the original on 24 February 2022. Retrieved 24 February 2022.
  53. ^ "hjk". 10 March 2015. Archived from the original on 24 February 2022. Retrieved 24 February 2022.
  54. ^ "yle". 2 April 2016. Archived from the original on 24 February 2022. Retrieved 24 February 2022.
  55. ^ "hjk". 28 February 2018. Archived from the original on 24 February 2022. Retrieved 24 February 2022.
  56. ^ "veikkausliiga". Archived from the original on 24 February 2022. Retrieved 24 February 2022.
  57. ^ "hjk". 3 March 2020. Archived from the original on 24 February 2022. Retrieved 24 February 2022.
  58. ^ "hjk". 19 March 2021. Archived from the original on 24 February 2022. Retrieved 24 February 2022.
  59. ^ "hjk". 21 February 2022. Archived from the original on 21 February 2022. Retrieved 24 February 2022.
  60. ^ Kapteenisto valittu kaudelle 2024, hjk.fi, 14 March 2024
  61. ^ "UEFA Club coefficients". UEFA. 2025. Archived from the original on 26 August 2019. Retrieved 25 October 2024.
[edit]