2021_Veikkausliiga
2021 Veikkausliiga
Football league season
The 2021 Veikkausliiga was the 91st season of top-tier football in Finland. HJK were the defending champions and successfully defended their title.
Quick Facts Season, Champions ...
| Season | 2021 |
|---|---|
| Champions | HJK |
| Relegated | KTP |
| Matches played | 162 |
| Goals scored | 408 (2.52 per match) |
| Top goalscorer | Benjamin Källman Ariel Ngueukam (14 goals each) |
| Biggest home win | KuPS 4–0 KTP (15 August 2021) |
| Biggest away win | HIFK 1–5 KuPS (22 August 2021) |
| Highest scoring | HJK 4–2 Honka (24 April 2021) Lahti 2–4 KuPS (11 May 2021) HIFK 1–5 KuPS (22 August 2021) |
| Longest winning run | 9 matches HJK |
| Longest unbeaten run | 12 matches Lahti |
| Longest winless run | 13 matches KTP |
| Longest losing run | 7 matches Mariehamn |
← 2020 2022 → | |
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RoPS (relegated after eight years in the top flight) were relegated to Ykkönen after finishing at the bottom of the 2020 season. Their place was taken by Ykkönen champions AC Oulu (promoted after a ten-year absence).
TPS (relegated after one year in the top flight) as 11th-placed team lost their Veikkausliiga spot after losing to second-placed Ykkönen team KTP (promoted after a five-year absence) in a relegation/promotion playoff.
Stadia and locations
More information Club, Location ...
| Club | Location | Stadium | Turf | Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AC Oulu | Oulu | Raatti Stadion | Natural | 4,392 |
| FC Haka | Valkeakoski | Tehtaan kenttä | Artificial | 3,516 |
| FC Honka | Espoo | Tapiolan Urheilupuisto | Natural | 6,000 |
| FC Inter | Turku | Veritas Stadion | Natural | 9,372 |
| FC Lahti | Lahti | Lahden Stadion | Natural | 7,465 |
| HIFK | Helsinki | Bolt Arena | Artificial | 10,770 |
| HJK | Helsinki | Bolt Arena | Artificial | 10,770 |
| IFK Mariehamn | Mariehamn | Wiklöf Holding Arena | Artificial | 4,000 |
| Ilves | Tampere | Tampere Stadium | Natural | 16,800 |
| KTP | Kotka | Arto Tolsa Areena | Artificial | 4,780 |
| KuPS | Kuopio | Savon Sanomat Areena | Artificial | 5,000 |
| SJK | Seinäjoki | OmaSP Stadion | Artificial | 6,000 |
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Personnel and kits
Note: Flags indicate national team as has been defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players and Managers may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
More information Team, Manager ...
| Team | Manager | Captain | Manufacturer | Shirt sponsor(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AC Oulu |  Jyrki Ahola |
Lassi Nurmos |
Craft | Go On Oulu / Codemate / Oulun Energia |
| FC Haka | Teemu Tainio |
 Jacob Bushue |
Puma | Volkswagen |
| FC Honka | Vesa Vasara |
Duarte Tammilehto |
Puma | Volkswagen |
| FC Inter |  José Riveiro |
Timo Furuholm |
Nike | Alfons Håkans |
| FC Lahti | Ilir Zeneli |
Kari Arkivuo |
Umbro | Halton / Oomi / Green Lahti |
| HIFK | Joaquín Gómez |
Sakari Mattila |
Puma | Aktia Bank |
| HJK | Toni Koskela |
Daniel O'Shaughnessy |
Adidas | Apu |
| IFK Mariehamn |  Lukas Syberyjski |
 Robin Buwalda |
Puma | Åland / Arkipelag |
| Ilves | Toni Kallio |
Tuure Siira |
Adidas | Pohjola Rakennus / Avant Tecno / Pihlajalinna / NYQS Oy |
| KTP | Teemu Kankkunen |
David Ramadingaye |
Puma | Kotkamills Oy / Steveco Oy / Hartwall |
| KuPS | Simo Valakari |
 Nana Boateng |
Puma | Pohjola Sairaala (home) / LähiTapiola (away) |
| SJK | Jani Honkavaara |
Mehmet Hetemaj |
Adidas | LähiTapiola / Oma Säästöpankki / Elisa |
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More information Pos, Team ...
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | KuPS | 22 | 15 | 4 | 3 | 38 | 14 | +24 | 49 | Qualification for the Championship round |
| 2 | HJK | 22 | 15 | 4 | 3 | 32 | 12 | +20 | 49 | |
| 3 | Inter Turku | 22 | 12 | 3 | 7 | 36 | 22 | +14 | 39 | |
| 4 | SJK | 22 | 11 | 4 | 7 | 29 | 24 | +5 | 37 | |
| 5 | HIFK | 22 | 9 | 6 | 7 | 23 | 23 | 0 | 33 | |
| 6 | Ilves | 22 | 10 | 3 | 9 | 21 | 23 | −2 | 33 | |
| 7 | Lahti | 22 | 8 | 8 | 6 | 27 | 25 | +2 | 32 | Qualification for the Relegation round |
| 8 | Honka | 22 | 7 | 5 | 10 | 28 | 29 | −1 | 26 | |
| 9 | Haka | 22 | 7 | 3 | 12 | 21 | 26 | −5 | 24 | |
| 10 | Mariehamn | 22 | 7 | 2 | 13 | 20 | 32 | −12 | 23 | |
| 11 | Oulu | 22 | 5 | 3 | 14 | 17 | 35 | −18 | 18 | |
| 12 | KTP | 22 | 1 | 5 | 16 | 18 | 45 | −27 | 8 |
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Source: Flashscore
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Goals scored; 4) Head-to-head points; 5) Head-to-head goal difference; 6) Head-to-head away goals scored; 7) Play-off
(Note: Play-off is only played if need to decide champion, teams for relegation or UEFA competition and will be played on a neutral ground).
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Goals scored; 4) Head-to-head points; 5) Head-to-head goal difference; 6) Head-to-head away goals scored; 7) Play-off
(Note: Play-off is only played if need to decide champion, teams for relegation or UEFA competition and will be played on a neutral ground).
More information Home \ Away, HAK ...
| Home \ Away | HAK | HFK | HJK | HON | ILV | INT | KPS | KTP | LAH | MAR | OUL | SJK |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Haka | — | 2–0 | 1–2 | 1–1 | 0–1 | 1–0 | 0–1 | 0–3 | 1–1 | 1–2 | 0–1 | 4–0 |
| HIFK | 2–0 | — | 0–1 | 1–0 | 1–1 | 1–4 | 1–5 | 2–2 | 0–1 | 0–3 | 3–1 | 1–0 |
| HJK | 2–0 | 0–2 | — | 4–2 | 2–1 | 0–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 1–0 | 3–1 | 0–0 |
| Honka | 2–1 | 0–3 | 0–0 | — | 4–1 | 1–2 | 0–1 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–0 | 0–1 |
| Ilves | 1–0 | 1–0 | 0–3 | 0–0 | — | 2–1 | 3–2 | 2–0 | 1–0 | 2–0 | 1–0 | 0–1 |
| Inter Turku | 2–1 | 0–1 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 2–0 | — | 1–0 | 2–1 | 1–1 | 3–0 | 4–0 | 2–0 |
| KuPS | 1–2 | 0–0 | 0–0 | 2–1 | 1–0 | 1–0 | — | 4–0 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 3–0 |
| KTP | 0–0 | 0–2 | 0–1 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 1–2 | — | 1–2 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 0–1 |
| Lahti | 0–2 | 0–0 | 0–1 | 1–0 | 3–1 | 2–1 | 2–4 | 3–0 | — | 1–1 | 0–0 | 2–1 |
| Mariehamn | 0–3 | 0–0 | 0–1 | 1–3 | 1–0 | 0–2 | 0–1 | 4–2 | 0–3 | — | 3–1 | 0–1 |
| Oulu | 0–1 | 1–2 | 2–1 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–0 | — | 0–2 |
| SJK | 4–0 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 3–2 | 1–0 | 2–2 | 0–1 | 1–1 | 4–1 | 3–0 | 3–2 | — |
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Source: Flashscore
Legend: Blue = home team win; Yellow = draw; Red = away team win.
Legend: Blue = home team win; Yellow = draw; Red = away team win.
More information Pos, Team ...
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification | HJK | KPS | SJK | INT | ILV | HFK | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | HJK (C) | 27 | 18 | 5 | 4 | 41 | 19 | +22 | 59 | Qualification for the Champions League first qualifying round | — | — | 2–3 | 2–1 | — | 1–0 | |
| 2 | KuPS | 27 | 17 | 7 | 3 | 46 | 20 | +26 | 58 | Qualification for the Europa Conference League first qualifying round | 1–1 | — | — | — | 2–1 | 0–0 | |
| 3 | SJK | 27 | 14 | 6 | 7 | 45 | 34 | +11 | 48 | — | 2–2 | — | — | 4–2 | — | ||
| 4 | Inter Turku | 27 | 14 | 3 | 10 | 45 | 32 | +13 | 45 | — | 2–3 | 2–5 | — | — | 2–0 | ||
| 5 | Ilves | 27 | 11 | 3 | 13 | 29 | 34 | −5 | 36 | 2–3 | — | — | 0–2 | — | — | ||
| 6 | HIFK | 27 | 9 | 8 | 10 | 25 | 31 | −6 | 35 | — | — | 2–2 | — | 0–3 | — |
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Source: Soccerway
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Goals scored; 4) Head-to-head points; 5) Head-to-head goal difference; 6) Head-to-head away goals scored; 7) Play-off
(Note: Play-off is only played if need to decide champion, teams for relegation or UEFA competition and will be played on a neutral ground).
(C) Champions
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Goals scored; 4) Head-to-head points; 5) Head-to-head goal difference; 6) Head-to-head away goals scored; 7) Play-off
(Note: Play-off is only played if need to decide champion, teams for relegation or UEFA competition and will be played on a neutral ground).
(C) Champions
More information Pos, Team ...
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification | LAH | HAK | HON | MAR | OUL | KTP | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | Lahti | 27 | 10 | 10 | 7 | 35 | 30 | +5 | 40 | — | — | 2–3 | — | 0–0 | 2–1 | ||
| 8 | Haka | 27 | 10 | 5 | 12 | 30 | 29 | +1 | 35 | 1–1 | — | — | 2–0 | 0–0 | — | ||
| 9 | Honka | 27 | 9 | 6 | 12 | 38 | 37 | +1 | 33 | — | 0–2 | — | 1–1 | 6–1 | — | ||
| 10 | Mariehamn | 27 | 9 | 3 | 15 | 28 | 40 | −12 | 30 | 0–3 | — | — | — | — | 5–1 | ||
| 11 | Oulu (O) | 27 | 6 | 5 | 16 | 21 | 44 | −23 | 23 | Qualification for the relegation play-offs | — | — | — | 1–2 | — | 2–1 | |
| 12 | KTP (R) | 27 | 2 | 5 | 20 | 25 | 58 | −33 | 11 | Relegation to Ykkönen | — | 2–4 | 2–0 | — | — | — |
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Source: Soccerway
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Goals scored; 4) Head-to-head points; 5) Head-to-head goal difference; 6) Head-to-head away goals scored; 7) Play-off
(Note: Play-off is only played if need to decide champion, teams for relegation or UEFA competition and will be played on a neutral ground).
(O) Play-off winners; (R) Relegated
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Goals scored; 4) Head-to-head points; 5) Head-to-head goal difference; 6) Head-to-head away goals scored; 7) Play-off
(Note: Play-off is only played if need to decide champion, teams for relegation or UEFA competition and will be played on a neutral ground).
(O) Play-off winners; (R) Relegated
First leg
More information RoPS, 2–1 ...
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Second leg
Top goalscorers
- As of 1 November 2021[1]
More information Rank, Player ...
| Rank | Player | Club | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Benjamin Källman |
Inter Turku | 14 |
 Ariel Ngueukam |
SJK | ||
| 3 | Tim Väyrynen |
KuPS | 9 |
| 4 |  Jake Jervis |
SJK | 8 |
| Urho Nissilä |
KuPS | ||
 Darren Smith |
FC Honka | ||
| 7 |  Geoffrey Chinedu |
Lahti | 7 |
| Timo Furuholm |
Inter Turku | ||
 Denys Oliynyk |
SJK | ||
/ Altin Zeqiri |
Lahti |
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Annual awards
More information Award, Winner ...
| Award[2] | Winner | Club |
|---|---|---|
| Player of the Year | Urho Nissilä |
KuPS |
| Goalkeeper of the Year |  Johannes Kreidl |
KuPS |
| Defender of the Year | Daniel O'Shaughnessy |
HJK |
| Midfielder of the Year | Urho Nissilä |
KuPS |
| Striker of the Year | Benjamin Källman |
Inter Turku |
| Breakthrough of the Year | Pyry Hannola |
SJK |
| Coach of the Year | Simo Valakari |
KuPS |
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Team of the Year
More information Team of the Year ...
| Team of the Year[3] | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Goalkeeper | Johannes Kreidl (KuPS) | |||||||||||
| Defence |
Macario Hing-Glover (HIFK) |
Diogo Tomas (KuPS) |
Daniel O'Shaughnessy (HJK) |
Luis Carlos Murillo (HJK) | ||||||||
| Midfield |
Riku Riski (HJK) |
|
Urho Nissilä (KuPS) |
Peteri Forsell (Inter Turku) | ||||||||
| Attack |  Benjamin Källman (Inter Turku) |
Tim Väyrynen (KuPS) | ||||||||||
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- Liimatta, Ville (2021-12-03). "Tässä suomalaisen jalkapallon vuoden 2021 parhaat - katso kaikki Captain's Ball -gaalassa palkitut". SuomiFutis (in Finnish). Retrieved 2023-01-02.
- "Perinteinen Koplajoukkue nimetty Veikkausliigakauden 2021 osalta". www.veikkausliiga.com (in Finnish). Retrieved 2023-01-02.