Turun Palloseura

Turun Palloseura, TPS for short and nicknamed Tepsi, is a Finnish football club based in Turku. The club was founded in 1922. TPS currently play in the Veikkausliiga, the highest level of Finnish football. They play their home matches at the 9,372 seater Veritas Stadion, Turku.

History

FC TPS Turku has won the Finnish Championship 8 times since 1922. The latest was in 1975, but even though it’s been a while, TPS has done well in recent years too, placing 3rd in 1996, 2007, 2009 and 2010. TPS won the Finnish Cup in 1991, 1994 and 2010 and played in the Finnish Cup final in 1996, 1997 and 2005. FC TPS Turku is also known for its excellent junior work. Several TPS players have made it to the international fields, for example Peter Enckelman who plays for St. Johnstone and Jonatan Johansson who quit his career after 2010 season. Other famous TPS players are defender Niklas Moisander (AZ Alkmaar) and striker Jani Virtanen, formerly Udinese, currently JJK.

In the early stages of the UEFA Cup of the season 1987–88, TPS beat Internazionale at the San Siro stadium in Milan, thanks to a goal by Mika Aaltonen, who was later signed by Inter. They lost the return leg with 0–2, but this is widely regarded as the highest point by the club in international football.

After season 2000 TPS lost its place in Finland's Premier League and played for two seasons in the Ykkönen (eng first) in the Finnish first division. They aimed to get back up to the Premier League with determination and it took them two seasons to complete the mission. Since season 2003 TPS has again played in the Finland’s Premier League, Veikkausliiga. TPS managed to get in the final of the Finnish Cup in 2005, but lost to Haka 4–1 in Finnair Stadium

Before season 2007 TPS hired famous Finnish striker Mixu Paatelainen as their manager. In his guidande TPS won bronze and so ended their ten years medalless run. After the end of season Paatelainen left for Scottish club Hibernian FC in early January 2008. Quickly TPS hired heralded Finnish manager Martti Kuusela. However Kuusela didn't get the best out of his squad and was fired mid September 2008. Afterall TPS ended sixth in Veikkausliiga. So again TPS have to get a new manager, their third in as many seasons. This time they picked Finnish "motor-mouth" Pasi Rautiainen.

In recent years, TPS has had the highest average attendance in Veikkausliiga but it has suffered from a poor rental agreement with Veritas Stadion. This has led TPS for planning to build their own stadium in Nummi. They have also considered the possibility of using the Paavo Nurmi Stadion as their home ground.

Honours

• Finnish Championship: 8
  • In cup-format: 1 (1928), in league competition: 7 (1939, 1941, 1949, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1975)
• Finnish Cup: 3
  • 1991, 1994, 2010

Season to season

Current squad

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

Notable players

• Mika Aaltonen
• Mika Ääritalo
• Marco Casagrande
• Dan-Ola Eckerman
• Peter Enckelman
• Markus Heikkinen
• Kasper Hämäläinen
• Jonatan Johansson
• Mika Nurmela
• Jussi Nuorela
• Roope Riski
• Riku Riski
• Urmas Rooba

In Europe

UEFA Club Ranking

This is the current UEFA Club Ranking, including season 2010–11.^[1]

Last update: July 9, 2010

References

External links

• Official website
• TPS Supporters