 08-04-08, 03:52 PM | #1 (permalink) |
| Hot Prospect Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Dublin Posts: 93 Thanks: 5 Thanked 29 Times in 28 Posts Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTW/F/M Award(s): 0 |  Veikkausliiga - Finish League
Veikkausliiga is the premier division of Finnish football, comprising the top 14 clubs of the country Competition Format
Like in some other cold-climate European countries (including Norway, Sweden and Russia), league matches in Finland are played in summer, with a schedule usually from April to October. In current format each team plays all other teams twice, both at home and away. At the end of the season, the lowest-placed team is relegated to Ykkönen, whose winner will be promoted to Veikkausliiga. In normal seasons, the team placed next to lowest will play a two-legged relegation/promotion match with the second-placed team in Ykkönen. In season 2006, because the Veikkausliiga was one team short, this promotion match was not played and two best clubs of Ykkönen, FC Viikingit and AC Oulu, were promoted directly. KuPS were relegated.
A Brief History
Season 2006 was played exceptionally with 13 teams because of the AC Allianssi bankruptcy. Its main sponsor is the Finnish national betting agency Veikkaus, hence the league's name. Veikkausliiga was founded in 1990; before that the top division was called Mestaruussarja (championship series) since 1930. Between 1908 and 1930 the championship was decided in a cup competition
Clubs
FC Haka
FC Inter
FC Lahti
HJK
KuPS
RoPS
FC Honka
FC KooTeePee
FF Jaro
IFK Mariehamn
MyPa-47
Tampere United
VPS
Player rules / Things to note
Most of the clubs in Veikkausliiga are professional, although some of the smaller clubs are semi-professional. Average attendance has been slightly under 3000
Conclusion
A very tough league to play and a real challenge to Football Manager die hard’s. This league consists of mainly professional clubs but also has semi-professional clubs too.
Financially the league is not the strongest and the league does not have any major TV deal to generate more funds.
Also as you will know all the major finish players play there football in other countries and Finland does not attract a big influx of foreign stars.
I played a season with HJK and found it hard to attract any players but on the flip side I really enjoyed the game.
This is a tough league and if your used to splashing the cash and rebuilding teams, well maybe this league is not for you
If your like to grow a team you have and make them a competitive side, you will love the challenge of this league |
 League Champions 1951/52, 1954/55, 1955/56, 1989/90, 1995/96, 1996/98, 1998/99, 2001/02 Runners-Up 1960/61, 1987/88 F.A.I. Cup Winners 1958/59, 1960/61 Runners-Up 1954, 1967, 1974, 1980, 1996, 2003, 2006 |
 |  |
