IF Gnistan

IF Gnistan
Full name Idrottsföreningen Gnistan
Nickname(s) Kipinä
Founded 1924
Ground Fair Pay Arena,
Helsinki
Finland
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.

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.[1]

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
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 MF Riku Oras
4 Finland DF Marko Katainen
5 Finland DF Toni Takamäki
6 Finland MF Antton Koskinen
7 Finland DF Alex Antikainen
8 Finland MF Antti Uusitalo
10 Finland FW Janne Arolinna
11 Finland MF Marko Selin
12 Finland GK Atte Otronen
14 Finland FW Kron Rexhepi
15 Finland DF Pauli Loukola
No. Position Player
17 Finland FW Joonas Kauti
18 Finland MF Valte Vuorela
21 Finland MF Kim Louhisto
22 Finland DF Richard Tiberi
25 Finland DF Marko Koskinen
26 Finland DF Faton Ruka
27 Finland MF Santtu Toiviainen
28 Finland DF Astrit Kabashi
37 Finland DF Kristian Viitanen
71 Finland MF Miro Kauti
92 Finland FW Teemu Pastila

Out on loan

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

No. Position Player
13 Finland GK Olavi Hetemäki (at FC Viikingit)
No. Position Player
9 Finland FW Samuel Woodward (at SoVo)

References and sources

Footnotes

  1. "Finland – Divisional Movements 1930–2009". RSSSF Archives. 2010. Retrieved 05.06.2010. Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)