The Rise of a Nation - Finnish Funk

There was once again a ton of movement during the winter transfer window. Some of the tranfers made by newly crowned champions JJK were planned out, some were forced upon due to interest from other clubs. Letäs start with the transfers out of the club to better explain the transfers in!

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LONG TIME SERVANTS LEAVE JJK
The biggest, and most unexpedted, loss has been the transfer of centerback Rafael Henrique to AEK Athens as the Greek side triggered the Brazilians release clause of just 205 000€.

Midfielders Lee Evans and Lauri Ala-Myllymäki have left JJK. Evans completed a 100 000€ move to Brann as Ala-Myllymäki moved to Gefle for a fee of 20 000€. Evans was with JJK since 2018 while Ala-Myllymäki all the way since 2017.

Wingback Patrick Aaltonen, who has been with JJK since 2016, has once again made a loan move to get first team football. Aaltonen who spent the last season in Poland with Lechia has now moved to Norwegian side Bryne.

Francis Chibuike jan Juho-Matti Heikari have left on free transfers after their contracts expired.
Promising midfielder Joonas Lahti has also made a loan move to FPL side FC Inter.

"We are sad to see our long time servants leave but this is how the footballing world works these days. I did not wish to keep the guys in the club when they have a possibility to play first team football." - Mr. Shroom

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JJK SPLASH THE CASH!
The biggest signing ever made in Finland has now been finalised! Said Elyounoussi, who was on loan last season from Genk, has now joined JJK on a permanent basis! JJK were forced to pay 8 000 000€ for the strikes shattering the former transfer record of only 400 000€ paid for HJKs Lucas Lingman.

Claudio Diaz spent the whole 2020 season with JJK on loan from Lanus and has decided to continue his loan agreement for one more season. JJK were in ned of quality and depth in the midfield and Diaz was a sure choice after his decent showings last season.

JJK have also finalised the signings of centerback Mike and attacking midfielder Arno Borremans, both were free transfers and should be ready for first team football in a season or two.

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"We're still very thin in terms of experience and real quality in the center of our defence. The market really isn't there right now and we'll have to give the youngsters a chance. Jussi Heino already played a lot last season and hopefully Mike can do a good job for us in the early days. Otherwise we are delighted with the transfers made. Said already proved himself last season leading us to the title, as did Claudio. Borremans has been in decent form in the pre season but we will not rush him." - Mr. Shroom

It's once again time for the first competition of the season as the Finnish League Cup kicks off the year 2021. Last time around JJK secured their first ever League Cup trophy after a series of great performances.

JJK will be looking to renew their League Cup title this year with the streghtened squad. Even though the League Cup is not considered extremely important it is always nice to do well at the very beginning of the season.

JJk easily secured a spot in the playoffs. As we have often seen everything is different when it's make or break it. How did JJK manage in the playoff stage that began with a quarter final fixture against Honka?

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ELYOUNOUSSI ON FORM AS JJK SECURE SECOND CONSECUTIVE LEAGUE CUP!
It was all about that Elyounoussi as the Belgian striker led JJK to a second consecutive League Cup title. Elyounoussi was the top goalscorer in the competition scoring 10 goals on 9 appearances. He also contributed 4 assists.

The most difficult game was in the Semi Final as JJK faced rivals HJK at Sonera Stadium in Helsinki. Obed Malolo put JJK under pressure getting himself a red card on the 32nd minute of play. After that HJK quickly went 1-0 up, but then former HJK man Jukka Salmi took charge and completely demolished his former team.

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"I'm delighted that we could continue this tradition. See you all next year!" - Mr. Shroom

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• Tapio Heikkilä returns to JJK from loan and reinforces the thin defense.
• Elyounoussi wins League Cup top goalscorer and best average rating.
• Lassas and Elyounoussi finished level with HJK man Nikolai Alho to tie the most assists award with 4 assists.

There was a great deal of anticipation on the stands in Turku as visitors and title holders JJK travelled to face FC Inter in the season opener. It's time for a new year and yet another season starting in the chilly conditions in southern Finland. Let's roll!

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JJK TAKE THE TOP SPOT
JJK have had a dream start to the season as they have won their first four league games without conceding a single goal, and scoring a total of 13 in the process. Jukka Salmi and Said Elyounoussi have proved to be too much for any opposition so far with the duo scoring a combined total of 13 goals in the five games.

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"We were hoping for a good start and this is definately wehat we've been looking for. Everyone have been brilliant and I'm especially happy to see our young centerbacks doing great. MYPA was by far the most difficult opposition in these five matches with the game decided very late on and that is something that we will have to take a look at in the next meeting." - Mr. Shroom

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• JJK start youth facilities upgrade.
• Wingback Aleksi Lappalainen is in his last year of contract and does not wish to sign a new deal. Will he be leaving in the summer transfer window?
• JJK shatter their previous records by having now won 20 consecutive matches in all competitions.

Very nice start to the season, looks like you got this one in the bag already

Tallery : One bad result and it's a whole new ballgame, but clearly we're doing great

The Finnish Premier League continues along with the Qurter Finals of The Finnish Cup. Five more games for the fans to enjoy including the thrilling clash between giants JJK and HJK in Helsinki!

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JJK RETAIN THEIR POSITION
It was tough for JJK after Said Elyounoussi got injured in the match against IFK Mariehamn, just before the rivalry clash. In the end JJK were unlucky against HJK drawing 0-0 with the influence of Elyounoussi clearly missing.

JJK managed to also go through to the Finnish Cup Semi Final where they will face Premier League side FC Inter. Jukka Salmi has been in exceptional form scoring six goals in the last five matches, includin a hat-trick against MYPA

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"It's unfortunate that we could not beat HJK but otherwise things are still looking great. Elyounoussi is expected to return in three to nine days and Emmanuel Dieseruvwe is also close to full fitness. We will soon be unstoppable." - Mr. Shroom

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• Jukka Salmi good form sees him top the FPL goalscoring charts alongise Elyounoussi with 8 goals each.
• Jesse Joronen has kept 7 clean sheets so far in the League.
• The 16-year-old Gabin Chevalier has featured in 16 matches this season with an average rating of 7.49.

It's once again time for the yearly update on how the Finnish Premier League has progressed compared to other leagues as well as how JJK have improved their reputation!

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THE FINNISH PREMIER LEAGUE IMPROVES!
The Finnish Premier League has moved up 9 places all the way up to 21st in the new European competition rankings. This sees the FPL move past leagues like Swedish Premier Division, Ligue 2 and Liga Adelante.

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JJK MOVE UP 59 PLACES!
Despite having a terrible season in the Europa League JJK have managed to move up 59 spots all the way to 68th position. JJK have cemented their spot as a top European club and will be looking to move further up next season.

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Finland still have a long way to go to secure a team straight into the Group stage of a continental competiton but this years progress sees them move a lot closer than they have been before. If Finnish teams continue to do well in either the ECC or EC they should be able to move up in the coeficients soon enough!

With the Champions League qualifying rounds starting soon JJK have their final push in the league to try and get that few point margin between them and HJK. With all five games in this update played in the Finnish Premier League it's going to be interesting to see which of the two giants drop points!

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JJK MAINTAIN FLAWLESS RECORD
JJK have once again managed to win all five games giving them an incredible record of twelve victories and one draw from the 13 games played this season in the FPL. JJK will be hoping to carry this form throughout the season.

HJK dropped points against in form Jaro after they had three players injured in the first 45 minutes of the match. Jaro managed to score an equalizer on the 88th minute of play with a one man advantage after what they scored the late winner in overtime.

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"We are in great form with the Champions League Qualifying rounds coming up in the near future. Even though Elyounoussi has been out injured for quite a bit Jukka Salmi has been in great form carrying us through the season." - Mr. Shroom

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• Elyounoussi got injured in his first match returning from an injury. Once again out for 4-5 weeks.
• Wingback Aleksi Lappalainen has agreed a transfer to Heerenveen when his contract expires.

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JJK SECURE PRE CONTRACT FOR GHANIAN WONDERKID MAXWELL KUTSU
JJK have agreed to sign 15-year-old Ghanian striker Maxwell Kutsu. Kutsu will join JJK on the 1st of August 2022 from FC Metz. The transfer fee is set to 750 000€.

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JJK have drawn Sarajevo in the Champions League 2nd qualifying round that will be in the next update. The highlight of the following five matches though is the clash between JJK and HJK in Jyväskylä!

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JJK EXTEND THEIR LEAD!
JJK have managed to go one over HJK as the two giants faced each other at Harju Stadium in Jyväskylä. Emmanuel Dieseruvwe managed to score the decider on the 39th minute giving JJK a 9 point lead in the Finnish Premier League.

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"It's good to be in front and thinks are looking great. It seems like we will be in a position to completely concentrate on the Champions League later on in the season." - Mr. Shroom

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• JJK agree on the signing of left defender Gideon Baah on a free transfer. Baah will join JJK in a few weeks to replace the currently injured Aleksi Lappalainen.

Lingman is good for two things:
1) Penalties
2).... Penalties

2015-03-08 16:07#210073 Justice : Lingman is good for two things:
1) Penalties
2).... Penalties

3) Telling me he wants to leave the club.

But yeah, you should see the way he scores them powers each and every one of em into the top corner!

The Champions League qualigying rounds begin as JJK face Sarajevo. The Premier League is also getting closer and closer to the finish, the deciding moments are at hand!

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JJK FINALLY LOSE
JJK lost their first match in over thirty fixtures ending their record breaking run. TPS managed to play a good game and on the day it was enough.

At the same time HJK are still in poor form giving JJK a 12 point lead with 12 games remaining. It all looks set for another JJK title party with now both Salmi and Elyounoussi on form.

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"We were a bit unlycky against TPS but every run has to end. The title race is completely in our hands and I'm confident that it's pretty much over for HJK. This gives us a good chance of concentrating on the Champions League." - Mr. Shroom

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JJK DRAW FF MALMÖ IN 3rd QUALIFYING ROUND
It will be a heated affair as JJK travel to Sweden to face Malmö in the first leg of the 3rd qualifying round. Both teams will be looking for that automatic spot in a continental group stage.

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JJK ANNOUNCE LINK WITH REAL BETIS!
After searching for an appropriate affiliate for years JJK have finally announced a link with La Liga side Real Betis. Betis will be able to send player on loan to JJK with JJK having no obligation to pay any wages.

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It was all about Champions League football this time around as JJK were facing FF Malmö in the ECL 3rd qualifying round. The Premier League went on as a routine with HJK already helplessly behind the leaders.

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JJK SECURE EUROPEAN GROUP SPOT
JJK won Malmö easily enough despite the rather difficult away game. With this JJK progress to the Champions League qualifiers' playoff round and secure a minimum spot in the Europa League group stage.

Jukka Salmi once again proved too much for any defence with the Finnish striker scoring seven goals in five appearances. This has cemented Salmi's place as the top goalscorer in the FPL with 22 goals.

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"We have been struggling with injuries a bit but luckily it hasn't shown in the results." - Mr. Shroom

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The Polish champions could prove difficult to JJK even with the Finnish giants going into the two legged clash clear favorites. JJK will be looking towards strikers Salmi and Elyounoussi to continue their good form and secure JJK their second appearance in the Champions League group stage.

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"We were happy to be seeded in the draw which already gave us an advantage going into the playoff round. Legia should be beatable but we will have to be up for it on the match day, we'll certanily not be taking anything for granted." - Mr. Shroom

The league is all but wrapped up for you, so congrats on that! The European tie will be a tricky one but good luck against Legia!