KuPS - The Rocky Road To Glory

League Cup Final

The final had finally arrived. I was not nervous at all, although I certaintly expected to be. This was my chance to make a statement to the other Finnish teams that it is KuPS' turn to be greats! This was my chance to leave my own mark on the history of the club, and I wanted to grasp this opportunity with both hands!



I was ecstatic! I just didn't have any words to describe the feeling. The very last penalty to decide a trophy, as dramatic as the Champions League Final in Munich last year. It was all happening before my very eyes. Without even knowing it, I was running on to the pitch to Pyry Karkkainen to cheer him, to hug him, to let my emotions flood out. It was a fantasy coming true for me, winning trophies as a manager. I didn't want that feeling to go!

Nick Johnson: "I don't know what to say, really. It was an incredible game for us. Winning a trophy gives you such a fantastic feeling, it feels like you are just floating and letting time pass you by while you are in gloryland. This is such a great achievement for us.

This is such a great achievement for me and I am delighted that I could win a trophy so early on in to my managerial career. I want to win more with KuPS, boat-loads. My goal is to make KuPS the best team, the best club in the world and to win so many trophies that you just lose count.

When I took over here, my dream was to build KuPS in to a bastion of invincibilty. You know, like Napoleon had that idea, he would conquer the bloody world. And that's what I wanted, that KuPS would be untouchable. My dream was to build KuPS up-and-up-and-up, so that everyone had to submit, to give in.

Since I've come here to KuPS, and to Kuopio, I have drummed it in to the players, time-and-time again, that it is a privilege to play for you (the fans). And if you didn't believe me, do you believe me now? It is all for you (the fans), every single minute. There is not a single KuPS fan out there who does not deserve every win that we claim. We are building a home, not a future, not a trophy cabinet, not anything else. It is all for you (the fans)!

Amazing final Nick. I love Ilja

The Future Of KuPS

I had been thinking of the excellent performances from the young midifielder Aleksi Paananen. He had been an integral part of the team through-out the League Cup and scored an important goal in the final. I had invited him and Jari Litmanen, his tutor, to have a meeting discussing Paananen's future as a player here at KuPS.

The two players walked in to my office shortly after training was finished. Aleksi looked rather nervous but Jari looked quite relaxed. The difference in experience was right in front of my eyes. They sat down across from me, ready to hear what I had to say.

Me: "Thanks for coming guys. I'm sure you know what I wanted to talk to you guys about, Aleksi's future here at KuPS. Since I have taken over, I have asked you, Jari, to tutor him on and off the pitch. You have done a good job of that so far and I want to commend you for that."

Jari Litmanen: "Thank you Nick but I am sure you have more to say then to compliment me for that."

Me: "Yes, I have plans for Aleksi which I would like to discuss. Aleksi, are you enjoying playing in attacking midfield?"

Aleksi Paananen: "Yes I am. I really like playing there because it allows me to get on the ball when we are attacking, which I believe is my strength."

Me: "Yes it is and you have done a good job so far. You are still at a young age, however, and you still have a lot to learn. Do not worry, you will learn these things with experience, and from Jari. Your skills will also improve from training and playing at your best. I feel that it would be good for you to play as a standard attacking midfielder for now but when the time is right, I would like you to play in a free-role. The most well-known player who plays in that position is Lionel Messi and I believe that you have of a very similar style of play as him. How do you feel about this?"

Aleksi Paananen: "I agree that I have a lot to learn and to improve on and I am willing to go that extra mile to improve my ability and to help the team. I would like to play in a free-role in the future and I understand that I would need to improve my technical ability and my off-the-ball skills first. Is there anything else you would like me to do?"

Me: "Just stay focused is all, the pair of you. You can go now, thank you for taking the time to talk to me."

Aleksi Paananen, Jari Litmanen: "Thank you."

Great update nick loving this story man

Awesome writing there Nick! Loved the talk

2013-01-12 18:15#76823 FM King : Great update nick loving this story man

Thanks King. I've really enjoyed this story so far

2013-01-12 18:17#76824 or.dabool : Awesome writing there Nick! Loved the talk

Thanks Or I want to mix some "story" posts in with the regular updates

Vajnalenannanenan has stopped scoring as much

2013-01-12 19:52#76834 manchesterblue97 : Vajnalenannanenan has stopped scoring as much

I wouldn't hold your breath!

Great story Nick Congratulation for the League Cup win.
Your writing is amazing

Love reading your story, keep it up!

April + May Update

Hey guys, I have many games to post as I played through no less than eleven games in April and May. Amongst those games was league action and cup football. Here we go!

3-1 Win vs HJK (A) Cup 7th Rnd, 23.04.13.

HJK:
Juho Makela 78'

KuPS:
Ilja Venalainen 26'
Aleksi Paananen 45+1'
Ats Purje 81'
Ats Purje (8.6)

2-0 Win vs VPS (A) League, 28.04.13.

VPS:
---

KuPS:
Sander Puri 67'
Ebrima Sohna 72'
Sander Puri (7.4)
Sean Cunningham 16'
Paul Obiefule 81'

2-0 Win vs AC Kajaani (A) Cup Qtr Final, 01.05.13.

AC Kajaani:
---

KuPS:
Mikael Forssell 52', 70'
Mikael Forssell (8.8)

3-1 Win vs JJK (H) League, 04.05.13.

KuPS:
Sander Puri 45+1'
Ilja Venalainen 75'
Aleksi Paananen 90'
Ats Purje (9.0)

JJK:
Eero Korte 50'

1-0 Win vs FC Lahti (A) League, 08.05.13.

FC Lahti:
Jukka Veltheim 70'

KuPS:
Pyry Karkkainen 5'
Pieteri Holopainen (8.1)
Dudu 75'

1-0 Loss vs FC Inter (A) League, 11.05.13.

FC Inter:
Guy Gnabouyou 53'
Eemeli Reponen (7.4)
Henri Lehtonen 9'

KuPS:
Pyry Karkkainen 20'

3-1 Win vs IFK Mariehamn (H) League, 16.05.13.

KuPS:
Ilja Venalainen 26', 30', 55'
Ilja Venalainen (9.6)

3-2 Loss vs FF Jaro (A) League, 19.05.13.

FF Jaro:
Jussi Aalto 15'
Papa Niang 46', 49'

KuPS:
Johann Smith 14', 44'
Johann Smith (8.9)

4-1 Win vs Haka (H) League, 23.05.13.

KuPS:
Etchu Tabe 2'
Johann Smith 35', 78'
Sander Puri 38'
Johann Smith (8.8)

Haka:
Obi Metzger 37'
Nana Attakora 85'

1-1 Draw vs Honka (H) League, 27.05.13.

KuPS:
Ilja Venalainen 85'
Pyry Karkkainen (8.0)


Hermanni Vuorinen 44'
Kalle Karki 65'

5-1 Win vs IFK Mariehamn (A) Cup Semi-Final, 30.05.13.

IFK Mariehamn:
Amos Ekhaile 27'

KuPS:
Aleksi Paananen 9'
Ats Purje 29'
Mikael Forssell 32', 43'
Paul Obiefule 90+3'
Aleksi Paananen (9.1)



League Table






Cup Final Tie




June Fixtures




It has been a very successful month for Nick Johnson and for KuPS, reaching the Cup Final and standing in second place in the league. Mr. Johnson will look upon the month with fondness and will look to pick up maximum points in June. I will leave you with KuPS' Goal of the Month and next time I will bring you the June update. Until then, stay tuned!

Wow, great results mate! You can already qualify for EL early in the season but CL in the league as well! KuPS!

Very nice results! I like the layout

Thanks guys, I really appreciate the support

June Update

Another month has gone and that means it is time for another update! We played just four games this month as we looked to battle FC Inter and MYPA for the top spot in the league. Here we go!

2-0 Win vs TPS (A) League, 02.06.13.

TPS:
---

KuPS:
Ebrima Sohna 53'
Sander Puri 67'
Ats Purje (8.5)

2-0 Win vs FC Lahti (H) League, 17.06.13.

KuPS:
Sean Cunningham 36'
Paul Obiefule 68'
Sean Cunningham (8.3)
Paul Obiefule 76'

FC Lahti:
---

2-2 Draw vs Haka (A) League, 24.06.13.

Haka:
Marco Matrone 8'
Ante Simunac 90+2'
Saku Pesonen (9.4)

KuPS:
Aleksi Paananen 63'
Ats Purje 68'

3-1 Win vs JJK (A) League, 30.06.13.

JJK:
Mikko Manninen 13'

KuPS:
Ats Purje 15'
Ilja Venalainen 22'
Paul Obiefule 82'
Ebrima Sohna (8.7)


League Table







Europa League Second Qualifying Round Draw




July Fixtures




A very good month for us as we were undefeated through-out. The Europa League qualifying rounds starts next month and there are plenty of other exciting fixtures too, including matches against our title rivals, FC Inter and MYPA. I will leave you with our Goal of the Month. The July update will be next. Until then, stay tuned!





Or Dabool, the greatest member to have ever graced FM Scout is leaving for the Israeli army on the 28th of this month. He has made his "goodbye" post already. Here is the link and I hope that you can all support him with some nice comments: A Message From Or