IF Gnistan

IF Gnistan
Full name Idrottsföreningen Gnistan
Nickname(s) Kipinä
Founded 1924
Ground Fair Pay Arena,
Helsinki
Finland
Ground Capacity 2000
Chairman Finland Topi Miettinen
Head Coach Finland Ray Saarelainen
League Kakkonen
2013 Kakkonen (Southern), 2nd

IF Gnistan (The Spark) is a Finnish football club from the city of Helsinki founded in 1924. The club is currently playing in the Kakkonen, the third tier of the Finnish league system. IF Gnistan play their home matches at Fair Pay Arena. Clubs home district is Oulunkylä[1]

Background

Gnistan has played six seasons in the Ykkönen (First Division), the second tier of Finnish football in 1995–98 and 2001–02. The club has played twelve seasons in the Kakkonen (Second Division), the third tier of Finnish football in 1990, 1994, 1999–2000 and 2003 to the present day.[2]

In 2002, the club nearly made it to the semifinals of the Finnish Cup, by leading FC Lahti 2–0 till the 90th minute. A FC Lahti fan, ran naked to the field, which caused 5 minutes of added time. Lahti scored twice in injury time and in extra time they made the final score 2–3.

Season to season

Season Level Division Section Administration Position Movements
1999 Tier 3 Kakkonen (Second Division) West Group Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) 7th
2000 Tier 3 Kakkonen (Second Division) South Group Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) 1st Promoted
2001 Tier 2 Ykkönen (First Division) South Group Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) 8th Relegation Play-Offs
2002 Tier 2 Ykkönen (First Division) South Group Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) 9th Relegation Group (South) 9th – Relegated
2003 Tier 3 Kakkonen (Second Division) South Group Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) 7th
2004 Tier 3 Kakkonen (Second Division) South Group Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) 5th
2005 Tier 3 Kakkonen (Second Division) South Group Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) 2nd
2006 Tier 3 Kakkonen (Second Division) Group A Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) 4th
2007 Tier 3 Kakkonen (Second Division) Group A Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) 7th
2008 Tier 3 Kakkonen (Second Division) Group A Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) 4th
2009 Tier 3 Kakkonen (Second Division) Group A Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) 2nd
2010 Tier 3 Kakkonen (Second Division) Group A Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) 3rd
2011 Tier 3 Kakkonen (Second Division) Group A Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) 2nd
2012 Tier 3 Kakkonen (Second Division) East Group Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) 2nd
2013 Tier 3 Kakkonen (Second Division) South Group Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) 2nd
2014 Tier 3 Kakkonen (Second Division) South Group Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) 8th

Club Structure

Gnistan run a number of teams including 4 men's teams, 3 veteran's teams, 2 ladies teams, 11 boys team and 6 girls teams. The club also runs a Football School for youngsters.

2010 season

IF Gnistan are competing in Group A (Lohko A) of the Kakkonen administered by the Football Association of Finland (Suomen Palloliitto) . This is the third highest tier in the Finnish football system. In 2009 Gnistan finished in second position in their Kakkonen section.

Gnistan / 2 are participating in Section 1 (Lohko 1) of the Nelonen (Fourth Division) administered by the Helsinki SPL.

Gnistan / Ogeli are participating in Section 2 (Lohko 2) of the Nelonen (Fourth Division) administered by the Helsinki SPL.

Gnistan / Roots are participating in Section 2 (Lohko 2) of the Kutonen (Sixth Division) administered by the Helsinki SPL. In 2009 Roots finished in second position in Section 2 Seiska (Seventh Division).

Current squad

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

No. Position Player
1 Finland GK Ville Saikkonen
2 Finland DF Kristian Vanhala
4 Finland DF Jani Kaukomaa
5 Finland MF Joel Koivurinta
6 Finland MF Antton Koskinen
7 Finland MF Jonne Innala
8 Finland MF Antti Uusitalo
9 Finland FW Kron Rexhepi
10 Finland FW Teemu Pastila
11 Finland DF Niko Tirkkonen
12 Finland GK Tomi Mikkelsson
14 Finland MF Veeti Virmakari
15 Finland DF Alex Antikainen
16 Finland MF Jonas Nyholm
No. Position Player
17 Finland FW Joonas Kauti
18 Finland DF Christoffer Nyberg
19 Finland FW Mauricio Hopsu
20 Finland MF Kelechi Anyamele
21 Finland DF Kristian Heinolainen
22 Finland DF Biran Jeng
23 Finland FW Fisnik Gerxhaliu
25 Finland GK Kevin Nyberg
26 Finland MF Santtu Toiviainen
27 Finland DF Marko Koskinen
28 Finland DF Astrit Kabashi
37 Finland DF Bangaly Kouyaté
71 Finland MF Miro Kauti

References and sources

Footnotes

  1. http://www.gnistan.net/seura/historiaa/
  2. "Finland – Divisional Movements 1930–2009". RSSSF Archives. 2010. Retrieved 05.06.2010. Check date values in: |access-date= (help)
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