Post-Christmas cheer in Oslo for out-of-contract players
Tomi Maanoja used to play for AIK Stockholm before a broken leg ruined his career. With two young children, but no contract, the FIFPro Winter Tournament in Oslo may just provide the Finn with the little bit of luck he deserves.
HJK in 2011: the double, transfers and near-success in Europe
2011 was a season to remember for HJK. Not only did ‘Klubi’ won their third consecutive title and the Finnish Cup (overall their 24th league championship and 11th cup victory), but they did this in a swashbuckling fashion. The Helsinki team finished the season with a 24-point lead to second-place Inter and scored a whopping 86 goals...
Denmark 2-1 Finland | International friendly match report
• Denmark 2-1 FinlandNicklas Bendtner was again on target as the Euro 2012 finalists Denmark registered their second victory in four days by coming from a goal down to defeat Finland 2-1 in a friendly in Esbjerg.Finland took the lead in the 18th minu...
Finland 1-2 Sweden | Euro 2012 Group E qualifier match report
Sweden clinched a top-two position in Euro 2012 Group E qualifying after a smash-and-grab 2-1 victory over their neighbours Finland. Hungary, in third place, cannot now catch the Swedes, who have a better head-to-head record.An early goal by Sebastian ...
How will lively transfer window affect HJK?
It has been a highly eventful start to the autumn for HJK. First, maintaining their devastating form in the league, the Helsinki club all but secured the Veikkausliiga title already in August. Then, ‘Klubi’ gave Schalke a proper run for their money in the Europa League play-offs, beating the Germans 2-0 at home until imploding...
HJK-Schalke 2-0: hosts earn hard-fought victory
It was a night to remember at the Sonera Stadium last Thursday as HJK recorded a historical victory with a battling performance over the German giants Schalke in the Europa League play-off first leg. Teemu Pukki scored two fantastic goals to cap a magnificent team performance by the home side which put the Finns on...
It’s just like watching bowls
It is a tedious cliché that Finnish football is small-time and insignificant, but it is unfortunately also kinda true. Precarious finances and a disinterested public make the professional game here seem lower profile than, say, crown green bowls in the UK, or cricket in the United States. That is a little stark. There is coverage...
HJK-Schalke 04 pre-view: defensive worries for hosts
HJK entertain Schalke tomorrow in the play-off round of the Europa League. Despite the undeniable fact that HJK are marching towards the Veikkausliiga title, the home tie against the German giants is an event that eclipses their whole season (unless they make it into the Europa League group phase of course). The match created a...
HJK-Dinamo 1-2: visitors win match in midfield
There was a real sense of expectation in the air at the Sonera Stadium last Wednesday as HJK took on Dinamo Zagreb in the first leg of the Champions League third round. Few HJK fans may have pinned their hopes on actual UCL qualification, but many regarded the home team having at least a solid...
HJK attack with venom but do they have the defensive rigour to make it in Europe?
HJK made Champions League history trashing Bangor City 13-0 on aggregate in the second round of the competition. Both the second leg 10-0 victory at home and aggregate result are the biggest goal-fests ever celebrated in the Champions League. The result is a remarkable achievement in its own right, especially by a team from Finland,...
HJK-Inter preview
HJK entertain Inter tonight in one of the most highly anticipated matches of the current campaign. Inter, second in the table, chase the hosts by seven points with a game in hand, so if the Turku team manage a victory in Helsinki all the talk of handing the Veikkausliiga trophy to HJK may just turn...
HJK-Inter preview
HJK entertain Inter tonight in one of the most highly anticipated matches of the current campaign. Inter, second in the table, chase the hosts by seven points with a game in hand, so if the Turku team manage a victory in Helsinki all the talk of handing the Veikkausliiga trophy to HJK may just turn...
