Turun Palloseura
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| Full name | Turun Palloseura | ||
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| Nickname(s) | Tepsi | ||
| Founded | 1922 | ||
| Ground | Veritas Stadion (Capacity: 9,000) |
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| Chairman |  Petri Jakonen |
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| Manager | Pasi Rautiainen |
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| League | Veikkausliiga | ||
| 2008 | Veikkausliiga, 6th | ||
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Turun Palloseura or TPS as it is more commonly known, is a Finnish football club based in Turku. The club was founded in 1922. TPS currently play in the Veikkausliiga, the highest level of Finnish football. They play their home matches at the 9,000 seater Veritas Stadion, Turku.
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[edit] History
FC TPS Turku has won the Finnish Championship 8 times since 1922. The latest was in 1975, but even though it’s been a while, TPS has done well in recent years too, placing 3rd in 1996 and 2007. TPS won the Finnish Cup in 1991 and 1994 and played again in the Finnish Cup final in 1996, 1997 and 2005. FC TPS Turku is also known for its excellent junior work. Several TPS players have made it to the international fields, for example Peter Enckelman who plays for Cardiff City and Jonatan Johansson whose name can be found from the roster of Hibernian FC. Other famous TPS players are defender Niklas Moisander (AZ Alkmaar) and striker Jani Virtanen (Udinese Calcio, loan at FC Khimki)
In the early stages of the UEFA Cup of the season 1987-88, TPS beat Inter Milan at the San Siro stadium in Milan, thanks to a goal by Mika Aaltonen, who was later signed by Inter. They lost the return leg with 0-2, but this is widely regarded as the highest point by the club in international football.
After season 2000 TPS lost its place in Finland's Premier League and played for two seasons in the 1st Division. They aimed to get back up to the Premier League with determination and it took them two seasons to complete the mission. Since season 2003 TPS has again played in the Finland’s Premier League, Veikkausliiga. TPS managed to get in the final of the Finnish Cup in 2005, but lost to Haka 4-1 in Finnair Stadium
Before season 2007 TPS hired famous Finnish striker Mixu Paatelainen as their manager. In his guidande TPS won bronze and so ended their ten years medalless run. After the end of season Paatelainen left for Scottish club Hibernian FC in early January 2008. Quickly TPS hired heralded Finnish manager Martti Kuusela. However Kuusela didnt get the best out of his squad and was fired mid September 2008. Afterall TPS ended sixth in Veikkausliiga. So again TPS have to get a new manager, their third in as many seasons. This time they picked finnish "motor-mouth" Pasi Rautiainen. Length of the contract was not published.
[edit] Honours
- Finnish Championship: 8
- In cup-format: 1 (1928), in league competition: 7 (1939, 1941, 1949, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1975)
- Finnish Cup: 2
- 1991, 1994
[edit] Current squad
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[edit] Notable players
- Mika Aaltonen
- Mika Ääritalo
- Marco Casagrande
Louie Donowa- Peter Enckelman
- Markus Heikkinen
- Jonatan Johansson
- Mika Nurmela
- Jussi Nuorela
Urmas Rooba
