stats for HJK's 24th league title with two games to go 24-3-4 77 goals for 20 goals against.A week after winning the Finnish Cup, a 2-0 win at IFK Mariehamn earned record-breaking HJK Helsinki a 24th Veikkausliiga title and a first in his home country for Jari Litmanen.
Jari Litmanen enjoys HJK's success
Record-breaking HJK Helsinki sealed a Finnish league and cup double as a 2-0 win at IFK Mariehamn confirmed their third consecutive Veikkausliiga title.
Goals from Akseli Pelvas and Berat Sadik took the Klubi 21 points clear of second-placed FC Inter Turku with five games to play, and wrapped up the championship just eight days after claiming an 11th Finnish Cup with a 2-1 win against KuPS Kuopio. HJK have dominated the league season, breaking records at will along the way; a new best 23 wins in a domestic campaign, a record 72 goals scored, and a winning run of 15 home games in a row – 14 this season, plus the last of 2010.
The club's 24th league title is a first in his home country for Finnish icon Jari Litmanen. The 40-year-old scored the opener in the cup final and adds the league medal to the four Eredivisie titles he won in two spells with AFC Ajax. "We won a double and in a very convincing manner, of course I have to be pleased," he said. "I would have hoped to play more myself, but my season was somewhat spoiled by a knee injury."As well as domestic dominance the club also caused a stir in the UEFA Europa League, defeating FC Schalke 04 2-0 in the play-off home leg before being knocked out in Gelsenkirchen. "This has been a superb season," said coach Antti Muurinen. "It is really nice after all these years to secure a double. Not bad at all."
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Helsinki win title to wrap up double
Weather130-
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Pippo-
- Formerly known as : Pippo Inzaghi
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HJK Helsinki are a superb team. Don't be surprised if they get a Europa spot next season.
Mason-
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Pippo Inzaghi wrote:HJK Helsinki are a superb team. Don't be surprised if they get a Europa spot next season.
Weather130-
- Posts : 4025
Age : 35
Location : Pittsburgh, PA
Interesting stat is that these guys were the side that beat the Welsh Champion Bangor City this year 13-0 in Champions League qualifiers. They beat Schalke 04 2-0 on the 1st leg of the final Europa League qualifier to only fall apart and lose the 2nd leg 1-6.
Pippo-
- Formerly known as : Pippo Inzaghi
Posts : 30777
Weather130 wrote:Interesting stat is that these guys were the side that beat the Welsh Champion Bangor City this year 13-0 in Champions League qualifiers. They beat Schalke 04 2-0 on the 1st leg of the final Europa League qualifier to only fall apart and lose the 2nd leg 1-6.
Do you reckon Litmanen will be their next manager? He is 40 after all.
Weather130-
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Age : 35
Location : Pittsburgh, PA
Pippo Inzaghi wrote:
Do you reckon Litmanen will be their next manager? He is 40 after all.
It does not appear to be the case because Ajax is offering him some sort of role because of his many years at the club. It seems they open to offer him whatever position he wants other than manager. It sounds like he might become an assistant manager, coach the youth club, or help out in whatever way he wishes for their academy. That sounds rather nice so I could see him doing that.
Although managing HJK still is a possiblity as their current manager is 57 and I think to keep playing is highly unlikely since he was mainly used as a sub this season.
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