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Kuopion Palloseura

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KuPS
BERJAYA
Full nameKuopion Palloseura
NicknameKeltamusta (The Yellow-Black)
Founded1923; 103 years ago (1923)
GroundVäre Areena
Kuopio
Capacity5,000 (2,700 seated)
ChairmanVesa Kauppila
ManagerMiika Nuutinen
LeagueVeikkausliiga
2025Veikkausliiga, 1st of 12 (champions)
Websitewww.kups.fi Edit this at Wikidata
BERJAYA Current season

Kuopion Palloseura, commonly referred to as KuPS, is a Finnish professional football club based in Kuopio. KuPS competes in Veikkausliiga, the top flight of Finnish football. The team plays its home matches at Kuopio Football Stadium.

KuPS has won eight Finnish championship titles, the Finnish Cup five times and the Finnish League Cup once. The club is placed fourth in the all-time Finnish Premier League honour table.[1]

History

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BERJAYA
First team in 1923

The club was officially founded on 16 March 1923, at Kuopion Seurahuone. The club was named Kuopion Palloseura ("Kuopio Ball Club") with an abbreviation of KPS, which was later changed to KuPS.[2]

The club spent the majority of the 1920s playing friendly games against other local clubs. In the 1930s and early 1940s, the club played in the second highest tier of Finnish football. KuPS was first promoted to Mestaruussarja in 1947, but were relegated at the end of their first season. The club was promoted again in 1949 and this time remained in the top tier for 44 consecutive seasons.[2]

During the club’s early years, KuPS played in black and green shirts with vertical stripes, white shorts and black socks. In 1935, the colors were changed to a yellow shirt, black shorts and yellow and black socks. At the same time, the club's abbreviation changed from KPS to KuPS.[3][2]

KuPS golden era took place between the 1950s and 1970s, when the club won five league titles, finished runner up on eight occasions, and third once. The club also won the Finnish Cup for the first time in 1968.[2]

KuPS played in the top flight without significant success in the 1980s. However, the 1980s ended with the club's second Finnish Cup triumph in 1989.[2]

BERJAYA
Kuopio Football Stadium in 2010.
BERJAYA
KuPS vs HJK at Magnum Areena, Kuopio. Finnish League Cup, 11 March 2008.

In the 1990s, KuPS had financial problems and even dropped to the third tier for the first time.[3] In the early 2000s, KuPS spent seasons in both the First Division and in Veikkausliiga. The club have been in the top-flight since 2008.[4]

The club hasn’t finished lower than 3rd in the league table since 2017. In the 2019 season KuPS won its sixth league title, coached by Jani Honkavaara. In 2021 and 2022 the club won the Finnish Cup for the third and fourth times. In the 2024 season, KuPS won its first-ever league and cup double, after winning the Finnish Championship and the Finnish Cup titles, led again by coach Honkavaara and captain Petteri Pennanen.

In the 2025 league season the club won its eight championship in the Finnish league and became runner-ups in the Finnish Cup. KuPS also reached the 2025–26 UEFA Conference League league phase, their first-ever spot in the European competition league phase. One win and four draws secured the club a place in the knockout phase play-offs. The club became the first Finnish club to advance from the league phase to play-off rounds.

Season to season

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[5][6]

European campaigns

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UEFA club competition record

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As of 31 December 2025
Competition Pld W D L GF GA
UEFA Champions League11227729
UEFA Cup Winners' Cup402227
UEFA Cup / UEFA Europa League33106173066
UEFA Conference League3081394738
Total7820233586140

Competitions

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Season Competition Round Country Club Home Away Agg. Y/N
1959–60 European Cup PR West Germany Eintracht Frankfurt KuPS withdrew BERJAYA
1967–68 European Cup 1R France Saint-Étienne 0–2 0–3 0–5 BERJAYA
1969–70 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup 1R Portugal Académica de Coimbra 0–0 0–1 0–1 BERJAYA
1975–76 European Cup 1R Poland Ruch Chorzów 2–2 0–5 2–7 BERJAYA
1976–77 UEFA Cup 1R Sweden Östers 3–2 0–2 3–4 BERJAYA
1977–78 European Cup 1R Belgium Club Brugge 2–5 0–4 2–9 BERJAYA
1978–79 UEFA Cup 1R Denmark Boldklubben 1903 2–1 4–4 6–5 BERJAYA
2R Denmark Esbjerg fB 0–2 1–4 1–6 BERJAYA
1980–81 UEFA Cup 1R France Saint-Étienne 0–7 0–7 0–14 BERJAYA
1990–91 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup 1R Soviet Union Dynamo Kyiv 2–2 0–4 2–6 BERJAYA
2011–12 UEFA Europa League 2QR Romania Gaz Metan Mediaș 1–0 0–2 1–2 BERJAYA
2012–13 UEFA Europa League 1QR Wales Llanelli 2–1 1–1 3–2 BERJAYA
2QR Israel Maccabi Netanya 0–1 2–1 2–2 (a) BERJAYA
3QR Turkey Bursaspor 1–0 0–6 1–6 BERJAYA
2018–19 UEFA Europa League 1QR Denmark FC Copenhagen 0–1 1–1 1–2 BERJAYA
2019–20 UEFA Europa League 1QR Belarus Vitebsk 2–0 1–1 3–1 BERJAYA
2QR Poland Legia Warsaw 0–0 0–1 0–1 BERJAYA
2020–21 UEFA Champions League 1QR Norway Molde 0–5 BERJAYA
UEFA Europa League 2QR Slovakia Slovan Bratislava 1–1 (4–3 p) BERJAYA
3QR Lithuania Sūduva 2–0 BERJAYA
PO Romania CFR Cluj 1–3 BERJAYA
2021–22 UEFA Europa Conference League 1QR Armenia Noah 5–0 0–1 5–1 BERJAYA
2QR Ukraine Vorskla Poltava 2–2 3–2 (a.e.t) 5–4 BERJAYA
3QR Kazakhstan Astana 1–1 4–3 5–4 BERJAYA
PO Germany Union Berlin 0–4 0–0 0–4 BERJAYA
2022–23 UEFA Europa Conference League 1QR Georgia (country) Dila Gori 2–0 0–0 2–0 BERJAYA
2QR Moldova Milsami Orhei 2–2 4–1 6–3 BERJAYA
3QR Switzerland Young Boys 0–2 0–3 0–5 BERJAYA
2023–24 UEFA Europa Conference League 2QR Republic of Ireland Derry City 3–3 1–2 4–5 BERJAYA
2024–25 UEFA Conference League 1QR Luxembourg UNA Strassen 5–0 0–0 5–0 BERJAYA
2QR Norway Tromsø 0–1 0–1 0–2 BERJAYA
2025–26 UEFA Champions League 1QR Moldova Milsami Orhei 1–0 0−0 1–0 BERJAYA
2QR Kazakhstan Kairat 2–0 0–3 2–3 BERJAYA
UEFA Europa League 3QR Latvia RFS 1–0 2–1 3–1 BERJAYA
PO Denmark Midtjylland 0–2 0–4 0–6 BERJAYA
UEFA Conference League League Kosovo Drita 1–1 N/a 21st BERJAYA
Iceland Breiðablik N/a 0–0
Slovakia Slovan Bratislava 3–1 N/a
Poland Jagiellonia Białystok N/a 0–1
Switzerland Lausanne-Sport 0–0 N/a
England Crystal Palace N/a 2–2
KPPO Poland Lech Poznań 0–2 0–1 0–3 BERJAYA
2026–27 UEFA Champions League 1QR North Macedonia Vardar

UEFA coefficient

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As of 19 December 2025

The following list ranks the current position of KuPS in UEFA club ranking:

Rank Team Points
108France Strasbourg15.000
109Cyprus APOEL14.750
110Finland KuPS14.000
111Finland HJK14.000
112Israel Hapoel Be'er Sheva14.000

Transfers

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In the last few decades, KuPS have produced numerous local players for Veikkausliiga and a few who have transferred abroad. Five among their seven biggest incoming transfer fees came from local mostly homegrown players. The club’s previous incoming transfer fee record was for then 17-year old Matias Siltanen, who departed for Djurgården following a great debut season for KuPS in 2024. It was surpassed one year later by the transfer of Otto Ruoppi to Mainz 05 for €1.3 million, and further surpassed by Mohamed Toure's transfer to FC Viktoria Plzeň for €1.5 million in February 2026.

Record transfers

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Rank Player To Fee Year
1.Guinea Mohamed ToureCzech Republic Viktoria Plzeň€1.5 million2026[7]
2.Finland Otto RuoppiGermany Mainz 05€1.3 million2026[8]
3.Finland Matias SiltanenSweden Djurgården€1.2 million2025[9]
4.Finland Ilmari NiskanenGermany FC Ingolsdtadt€370,0002020[10]
5.Finland Urho NissiläBelgium Zulte Waregem€275,0002018[11]
6.Finland Tony MiettinenNorway Odd€180,0002024[10]
7.Ghana Nana BoatengRomania CFR Cluj€125,0002021[12]

Current squad

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As of 29 March, 2026[13]

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
1 GK BERJAYA AUT Johannes Kreidl
2 DF BERJAYA SWE Karl Ward
3 MF BERJAYA FIN Saku Heiskanen
4 DF BERJAYA GHA Kasim Nuhu
6 MF BERJAYA FIN Saku Savolainen
7 MF BERJAYA FIN Jerry Voutilainen
8 MF BERJAYA FIN Petteri Pennanen
9 FW BERJAYA SWE Gustav Engvall
10 MF BERJAYA ARG Valentín Gasc
11 FW BERJAYA NCA Jaime Moreno
12 GK BERJAYA FIN Hemmo Riihimäki
13 MF BERJAYA FIN Niilo Kujasalo
14 MF BERJAYA FIN Samuel Pasanen
17 MF BERJAYA FIN Arttu Heinonen
No. Pos. Nation Player
18 MF BERJAYA FIN Eemil Tanninen
19 FW BERJAYA UGA Calvin Kabuye
20 MF BERJAYA CIV Souleymane Soumahoro
21 FW BERJAYA FIN Joslyn Luyeye-Lutumba
23 DF BERJAYA FIN Arttu Lötjönen
24 DF BERJAYA GHA Bob Nii Armah
25 DF BERJAYA GHA Clinton Antwi
28 DF BERJAYA FRA Brahima Magassa
29 DF BERJAYA FIN Akseli Puukko
31 DF BERJAYA FIN Tatu Hukkanen
32 DF BERJAYA FIN Rasmus Tikkanen
33 DF BERJAYA FIN Taneli Hämäläinen (on loan from ADO Den Haag)
34 MF BERJAYA FIN Otto Ruoppi (on loan from Mainz 05)
37 GK BERJAYA FIN Kasperi Silen

Out on loan

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Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player

Management

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As of 1 January 2026[14]

Name Role
Finland Miika Nuutinen Head coach
Finland Jonas Nyholm Assistant coach
Finland Mika Lähderinne Conditioning coach
Finland Joonas Pöntinen Goalkeeping coach
Analyst
Finland Joonas Ojantie Physiotherapist
Finland Sami Miettinen Team manager

Boardroom

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As of 1 January 2026[15]

Name Role
Finland Tomi Erola CEO
Finland Vesa Kauppila Chairman
Finland Sixten Boström Sporting director

Honours

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BERJAYA
Supporters of KuPS

Managers

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  • Finland Aaro Heikkinen (1945–57)
  • Hungary Imre Nagy (1947)
  • Finland Martti Kosma (1958)
  • Finland Reino Miettinen (1959)
  • Finland Veijo Pehkonen (1960)
  • Finland Asser Väisänen (1960)
  • Finland Aaro Heikkinen (1961–65)
  • Finland Gunnar Boman (1966–68)
  • Finland Veikko Jokinen (1969–71)
  • Finland Unto Nevalainen (1969–71)
  • Finland Martti Räsänen (1972–79)
  • Finland Matti Terästö (initial term) (1980)
  • Finland Jarmo Flink (final season) (1980)
  • Finland Ari Savolainen (1981)
  • Finland Matti Väänänen (1982)
  • Poland Bogusław Hajdas (1983–85)
  • Finland Jouko Pasanen (1986)
  • Finland Jouko Pasanen (1987)
  • Finland Aarre Miettinen (July 1987)
  • Finland Heikki Turunen (1988)
  • Finland Aarre Miettinen (1988)
  • Finland Heikki Turunen (1989)
  • Finland Markku Hyvärinen (May 1989)
  • Finland Olavi Rissanen (May 1989)
  • Finland Martti Räsänen (1990–91)
  • Finland Olavi Rissanen (1990–91)
  • Finland Martti Räsänen (1992)
  • Finland Jouni Jäntti (Sept 1992)
  • Finland Markku Hyvärinen (Sept 1992)
  • Finland Keijo Voutilainen (1993–1994)
  • Finland Hannu Turunen (1995–96)
  • Finland Atik Ismail (1995–96)
  • Finland Jouni Jäntti (1997–98)
  • Finland Ensio Pellikka (1998)
  • Finland Heikki Turunen (1999)
  • Finland Esa Pekonen (2000–2001)
  • Finland Jari Pyykölä (1 January 2002 – 6 June 2003)
  • Finland Ismo Lius (June 2003)
  • Finland Juha Malinen (2005–2006)
  • Finland Kai Nyyssönen (1 January 2007 – 13 June 2009)
  • Finland Esa Pekonen (14 June 2009 – 24 April 2014)
  • Finland Marko Rajamäki (2 May 2014 – 2016)
  • Finland Jani Honkavaara (2017–2019)
  • Norway Arne Erlandsen (2020)
  • Finland Simo Valakari (2021– 19 January 2023)
  • Finland Pasi Tuutti (19 January 2023 – 20 April 2023)
  • Finland Jani Honkavaara (21 April 2023– 31 December 2024)
  • Finland Jarkko Wiss (1 January 2025 – 31 December 2025)
  • Finland Miika Nuutinen (1 January 2026 – present)

References

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  1. ↑ "Finnish League Premier Division All-Time Tables 1930–2007". rsssf.org Archived 28 January 2023 at the Wayback Machine. (12 March 2008)
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 Karjalainen, Markus; Huttunen, Jouni (2005). Kuopion Palloseura 1923–2004. Kuopion Palloseura.
  3. 1 2 "Historia & Saavutukset". KuPS – Kuopion Palloseura (in Finnish). Retrieved 13 April 2024.
  4. ↑ "Tilastot ja taulukot". KuPS – Kuopion Palloseura (in Finnish). Retrieved 12 April 2024.
  5. ↑ "Finland – List of League First Level Tables". Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. Archived from the original on 17 July 2010. Retrieved 9 March 2017.
  6. ↑ "Finland – List of League Second Level Tables". Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. Archived from the original on 24 September 2022. Retrieved 9 March 2017.
  7. ↑ Jättisiirto: Suomen mestari myy tähtihyökkääjänsä hurjalla siirtosummalla, MTV Oy, 12 February 2026
  8. ↑ Jymypaukku! Bundesliigaseura ostaa Otto Ruopin ennätyssummalla, Ilta-Sanomat, 31 January 2026
  9. ↑ Jättisiirto! Matias Siltanen Ruotsin suurseuraan, Ilta-Sanomat, 22 January 2025
  10. 1 2 Tony Miettisestä muhkea korvaus – Se kuitenkin kalpenee KuPSin ennätyssiirroille, Savon Sanomat, 7 February 2024
  11. ↑ SS: KuPS myy timanttinsa seurahistoriansa suurimmalla siirtokovauksella, suomifutis.com, 15 June 2018
  12. ↑ Tähtipelaajan lähtö yllätti KuPSin täydellisesti – mestaruushaaveille raskas isku, Ilta-Sanomat, 3 September 2021
  13. ↑ KuPS. "KuPS miehet edustusjoukkue 2025". kups.fi. Retrieved 22 July 2025.
  14. ↑ "Kuopion Palloseuran valmennustiimi 2026". KuPS.fi. Retrieved 20 January 2026.
  15. ↑ "Kuopion Palloseura Oy - Hallinto". KuPS.fi. Retrieved 20 January 2026.
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