Makkabi Helsinki is a Finnish Jewish sports club in Helsinki, Finland. It is the oldest Jewish sports club in the world that has an uninterrupted history.[1] It was founded in 1906 with the name “Stjärnan”' (Swedish for ‘the star’). The current name was adopted in 1936.

In association football, the club played in the top-flight competition Mestaruussarja in 1930, after that on lower levels. These days the main sports are bowling, futsal, basketball and floorball. The club celebrated its centennial in November, 2006.

The president of the club, Dennis Mattsoff, has mentioned Elias Katz as the most celebrated athlete to have represented this club. Katz won gold in the 1924 Olympic Games in Paris with Paavo Nurmi and Ville Ritola in the 3000m team race. He also won a silver medal in the 3000 meter steeple chase race.[1]

According to Mattsoff, the objective of the club is to strengthen the Jewish identity of the community in Helsinki, and to help the youngsters acquire also values other than those relating to competitive sports.[1]

The club had its worst setback in history at the Helsinki Olympic Stadium on 21 June 1938, when its athlete Abraham Tokazier participated in a 100 metre race. He was officially declared to have come fourth, but on the basis of photographs and other pieces contemporary of evidence, it has been surmised that in reality he won the race. A possible reason for foul play on the part of the organisers was the fact that among the spectators there was a delegation from Nazi Germany.[2]

Season to season

Season Level Division Section Administration Position Movements
1930 Tier 1 A-Sarja (Premier League) Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) 7th Relegated
1931 Tier 3 Piirinsarja (District League) Helsinki (SPL Helsinki) Qualifiers for B-Sarja
1932
1933 Tier 2 B-Sarja (Second Division) Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) 5th
1934-35 District Leagues
1936 Tier 3 Maakuntasarja (Third Division) West Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) Promotion Playoff
1937-39 District Leagues
1940-44 Did not participate
1945-46 Tier 3 Maakuntasarja (Third Division) Helsinki Group 2 Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) 6th
1946-47 Tier 3 Maakuntasarja (Third Division) Helsinki Group 2 Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) 4th
1947-48 Tier 3 Maakuntasarja (Third Division) Helsinki Group 1 Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) 5th Relegated
1948 Tier 4 Piirinsarja (District League) Helsinki (SPL Helsinki) Promotion Playoff
1949 Tier 4 Piirinsarja (District League) Helsinki (SPL Helsinki) Promotion Playoff
1950 Tier 4 Piirinsarja (District League) West Group Helsinki (SPL Helsinki) Promotion Playoff
1951
1952 Tier 4 Piirinsarja (District League) Helsinki (SPL Helsinki) Promotion Playoff
1953 Tier 4 Piirinsarja (District League) Helsinki (SPL Helsinki) Promotion Playoff
1954-56 District Leagues
1957 Tier 4 Aluesarja (Fourth Division) Group 1 Helsinki Helsinki (SPL Helsinki) 5th Relegated
1958-71 District Leagues
1972 Tier 5 Piirinsarja (District League) Group 4 Helsinki District (SPL Helsinki) 5th Promoted
1973 Tier 5 IV Divisioona (Fourth Divisiona) Group 3 Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) 6th
1974 Tier 5 IV Divisioona (Fourth Divisiona) Group 2 Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) 6th
1975 Tier 5 IV Divisioona (Fourth Divisiona) Group 4 Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) 8th Relegated
1976-80 District Leagues
1981 Tier 5 IV Divisioona (Fourth Divisiona) Group 3 Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) 7th
1982 Tier 5 IV Divisioona (Fourth Divisiona) Group 1 Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) 10th
1983 Tier 5 IV Divisioona (Fourth Divisiona) Group 2 Finnish FA (Suomen Pallolitto) 12th Relegated
1984 Tier 6 V Divisioona (Fifth Division) Group 2 Helsinki District (SPL Helsinki)

[3]

References

  1. 1 2 3 Vuollet, Anna-Mari (9 Nov 2001). "Takana jo 95 vuotta ('95 Years of History')". Iltalehti. Helsinki.
  2. Jouko Juonala: Oikeusmurha olympiastadionilla (‘Miscarriage of justice at the Olympic Stadium’). Ilta-Sanomat Plussa 22 Dec 2006, p.18, 19)
  3. "Home". finlandfootball.net.


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