# Käpylän Pallo

Käpylän Pallo, commonly referred to as KäPa for short, is a football (soccer) club from the Käpylä district of Helsinki. The club currently plays in the Ykkösliiga, the new second tier of the Finnish league system. Their home arena is Max Westerberg Areena in Käpylän liikuntapuisto, Käpylä, Helsinki. KäPa first team currently play their home matches at the Brahenkenttä, Helsinki due to the requirements in the second-tier.

## Background

The club played 21 seasons in the Kakkonen (Second Division), the third tier of Finnish football, in 1979, 1983–1989, 1997–2007 and 2009–2012. KäPa played one season in the Ykkönen (First Division), the second tier of Finnish football, in 2008 and one season in the Kolmonen, the fourth tier of Finnish football, in 2012.
KäPa was the first club in Finland to organise football leagues for youth players. The teams in these leagues were named after English League clubs and some teams even received their shirts as gifts from the English clubs they were named for. It has youth teams in a wide range of age groups, and it is the organiser of Finland's biggest youth football tournament, Helsinki Cup, together with FC Honka.

## Current squad

    As of 31 January 2025
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
| No. | Pos. | Nation | Player |
| 1 | GK | FIN | Aleksi Piispa |
| 2 | DF | FIN | Miika Kauppila |
| 3 | DF | FIN | Niilo Heikurinen |
| 4 | DF | FIN | Pekka Hietalahti |
| 5 | DF | FIN | Otto-Eemeli Niemela |
| 6 | DF | FIN | Niko Nurmi |
| 7 | MF | FIN | Benjamin Heikkinen |
| 8 | MF | FIN | Mikko Kuningas |
| 10 | MF | FIN | Maximo Tolonen |
| 11 | FW | FIN | Samuel Tammivuori |
| 12 | FW | FIN | Willem Haapiainen |
| 13 | DF | FIN | Mikael Pulkkinen |
| 14 | FW | FIN | Yllson Lika |
| 17 | MF | FIN | Casper Lönnqvist |
| 18 | MF | FIN | Toivo Valakari |
| No. | Pos. | Nation | Player |
| 19 | MF | FIN | Aleksi Wahlman |
| 21 | MF | FIN | Kim Lahikainen |
| 22 | DF | FIN | Aaron Sivonen |
| 23 | DF | FIN | Joel Huovinen |
| 24 | GK | FIN | Otto Brusiin |
| 25 | MF | FIN | Topi Pasi |
| 26 | MF | FIN | Mehmet Ozel |
| 27 | MF | FIN | Elias Kallio |
| 28 | DF | FIN | Pontus Lindberg |
| 29 | DF | FIN | Joonas Salmi |
| 30 | GK | FIN | Otto Hautamo |
| 31 | MF | FIN | Adam Jouhi |
| — | MF | FIN | Niklas Leinonen |
| — | MF | FIN | Denis Cukici |
| — | MF | GAM | Foday Manneh |

## Season to season

Season to Season :
| Season | Level | Division | Section | Administration | Position | Movements |
| 1959 | Tier 4 | Aluesarja (Fourth Division) | Group 2 | Helsinki & Uusimaa (SPL Helsinki) | 4th | |
| 1960 | Tier 4 | Aluesarja (Fourth Division) | Group 2 | Helsinki & Uusimaa (SPL Helsinki) | 1st | Promotion Playoff - Promoted |
| 1961 | Tier 3 | Maakuntasarja (Third Division) | Group 1 | Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) | 8th | Relegated |
| 1962 | Tier 4 | Aluesarja (Fourth Division) | Group 1 | Helsinki & Uusimaa (SPL Helsinki) | | Withdrew |
| 1963 | | | | | | |
| 1964 | | | | | | |
| 1965 | | | | | | |
| 1966 | | | | | | |
| 1967 | | | | | | |
| 1968 | | | | | | |
| 1969 | Tier 4 | Aluesarja (Fourth Division) | Group 1 | Helsinki & Uusimaa (SPL Helsinki) | 5th | |
| 1970 | Tier 4 | IV Divisioona (Fourth Division) | Group 1 | Helsinki & Uusimaa (SPL Helsinki) | 2nd | |
| 1971 | Tier 4 | IV Divisioona (Fourth Division) | Group 1 | Helsinki & Uusimaa (SPL Helsinki) | 4th | |
| 1972 | Tier 4 | IV Divisioona (Fourth Division) | Group 2 | Helsinki & Uusimaa (SPL Helsinki) | 1st | Promoted |
| 1973 | Tier 4 | III Divisioona (Third Division) | Group 1 | Helsinki & Uusimaa (SPL Helsinki) | 7th | |
| 1974 | Tier 4 | III Divisioona (Third Division) | Group 1 | Helsinki & Uusimaa (SPL Helsinki) | 8th | |
| 1975 | Tier 4 | III Divisioona (Third Division) | Group 2 | Helsinki & Uusimaa (SPL Helsinki) | 5th | |
| 1976 | Tier 4 | III Divisioona (Third Division) | Group 2 | Helsinki & Uusimaa (SPL Helsinki) | 7th | |
| 1977 | Tier 4 | III Divisioona (Third Division) | Group 1 | Helsinki & Uusimaa (SPL Helsinki) | 3rd | |
| 1978 | Tier 4 | III Divisioona (Third Division) | Group 2 | Helsinki & Uusimaa (SPL Helsinki) | 1st | Promotion Playoff - Promoted |
| 1979 | Tier 3 | II Divisioona (Second Division) | East Group | Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) | 10th | Relegated |
| 1980 | Tier 4 | III Divisioona (Third Division) | Group 1 | Helsinki & Uusimaa (SPL Helsinki) | 5th | |
| 1981 | Tier 4 | III Divisioona (Third Division) | Group 2 | Helsinki & Uusimaa (SPL Helsinki) | 2nd | Promotion Playoff |
| 1982 | Tier 4 | III Divisioona (Third Division) | Group 1 | Helsinki & Uusimaa (SPL Helsinki) | 1st | Promotion Playoff - Promoted |
| 1983 | Tier 3 | II Divisioona (Second Division) | East Group | Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) | 8th | |
| 1984 | Tier 3 | II Divisioona (Second Division) | East Group | Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) | 8th | |
| 1985 | Tier 3 | II Divisioona (Second Division) | West Group | Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) | 7th | |
| 1986 | Tier 3 | II Divisioona (Second Division) | East Group | Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) | 5th | |
| 1987 | Tier 3 | II Divisioona (Second Division) | East Group | Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) | 4th | |
| 1988 | Tier 3 | II Divisioona (Second Division) | West Group | Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) | 6th | |
| 1989 | Tier 3 | II Divisioona (Second Division) | East Group | Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) | 10th | Relegated |
| 1990 | Tier 4 | III Divisioona (Third Division) | Group 1 | Helsinki & Uusimaa (SPL Helsinki) | 8th | |
| 1991 | Tier 4 | III Divisioona (Third Division) | Group 2 | Helsinki & Uusimaa (SPL Helsinki) | 4th | |
| 1992 | Tier 4 | III Divisioona (Third Division) | Group 2 | Helsinki & Uusimaa (SPL Helsinki) | 8th | |
| 1993 | Tier 4 | Kolmonen (Third Division) | Group 2 | Helsinki & Uusimaa (SPL Helsinki) | 6th | |
| 1994 | Tier 4 | Kolmonen (Third Division) | Group 2 | Helsinki & Uusimaa (SPL Helsinki) | 10th | Relegated |
| 1995 | Tier 5 | Nelonen (Fourth Division) | Group 2 | Helsinki District (SPL Helsinki) | 1st | Promoted |
| 1996 | Tier 4 | Kolmonen (Third Division) | Group 1 | Helsinki & Uusimaa (SPL Helsinki) | 2nd | Promotion Playoff - Promoted |
| 1997 | Tier 3 | Kakkonen (Second Division) | East Group | Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) | 6th | |
| 1998 | Tier 3 | Kakkonen (Second Division) | East Group | Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) | 9th | |
| 1999 | Tier 3 | Kakkonen (Second Division) | West Group | Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) | 6th | |
| 2000 | Tier 3 | Kakkonen (Second Division) | South Group | Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) | 4th | |
| 2001 | Tier 3 | Kakkonen (Second Division) | South Group | Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) | 5th | |
| 2002 | Tier 3 | Kakkonen (Second Division) | South Group | Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) | 4th | |
| 2003 | Tier 3 | Kakkonen (Second Division) | South Group | Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) | 6th | |
| 2004 | Tier 3 | Kakkonen (Second Division) | South Group | Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) | 11th | |
| 2005 | Tier 3 | Kakkonen (Second Division) | South Group | Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) | 5th | |
| 2006 | Tier 3 | Kakkonen (Second Division) | Group A | Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) | 5th | |
| 2007 | Tier 3 | Kakkonen (Second Division) | Group A | Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) | 1st | Promoted |
| 2008 | Tier 2 | Ykkönen (First Division) | | Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) | 14th | Relegated |
| 2009 | Tier 3 | Kakkonen (Second Division) | Group A | Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) | 3rd | |
| 2010 | Tier 3 | Kakkonen (Second Division) | Group A | Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) | 10th | |
| 2011 | Tier 3 | Kakkonen (Second Division) | Group A | Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) | 14th | Relegated |
| 2012 | Tier 4 | Kolmonen (Second Division) | Section 1 | Helsinki & Uusimaa (SPL Uusimaa) | 1st | Promoted |
| 2013 | Tier 3 | Kakkonen (Second Division) | South Group | Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) | 7th | |
| 2014 | Tier 3 | Kakkonen (Second Division) | South Group | Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) | 4th | |
| 2015 | Tier 3 | Kakkonen (Second Division) | South Group | Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) | 3rd | |
| 2016 | Tier 3 | Kakkonen (Second Division) | Group A | Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) | 8th | |
| 2017 | Tier 3 | Kakkonen (Second Division) | Group B | Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) | 7th | |
| 2018 | Tier 3 | Kakkonen (Second Division) | Group B | Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) | 8th | |
| 2019 | Tier 3 | Kakkonen (Second Division) | Group B | Finnish FA (Suomen Palloliitto) | 11th | Relegated |

## Club structure

KäPa currently has 2 men's teams, 1 veterans' team, 1 ladies' team, 24 boys' teams and 7 girls' teams. The club operates a large junior section and is able to take full advantage of the extensive training facilities at the indoor Käpylän Juniorihalli (Käpylä Junior Hall). The club provides a number of additional initiatives, including sports camps and events.

## References and sources

* Official Website
* Finnish Wikipedia
* Suomen Cup
* Käpylän Pallo Facebook

## Footnotes

* ↑ "Finland – Divisional Movements 1930–2009". RSSSF. 2010. Retrieved 2010-06-05.
* ↑ "KäPa squad" (in Finnish). Football Association of Finland. Retrieved 2 April 2023.
* ↑ "Home". finlandfootball.net.