Stadin derby


The Stadin derby, also known as the Helsinki derby, is the name for a Helsinki association football fixture played between HIFK Fotboll and HJK Helsinki. The name of the derby derives from the common slang word nickname for Helsinki, widely used by the locals. Both the teams play at the highest level of football in Finland, in Veikkausliiga. Before 2015, the clubs had not faced each other at the highest level since 1972 when HIFK got relegated from the top league, which was then known as Mestaruussarja.
The rivalry extends from 1909 when the two teams faced each other for the first time. HJK used to be associated with the Finnish speaking middle-class population at the time, whereas HIFK was known for being a club of the Swedish speaking middle-class population. The language has been the main reason for the rivalry but to date the importance of it has diminished significantly. Before HIFK got relegated from the top league the fixtures had been played at the Helsinki Olympic Stadium, but are nowadays played at the Bolt Arena. Both clubs play their home fixtures at this particular venue.
The two teams clashed for the first time at the top level since 1972 on 23 April 2015. The match was played at a sold out Bolt Arena and ended in a 1-1 draw.
HIFK Fotboll declared bankruptcy in January 2024, and will operate with a new team in the fifth tier of Finnish football, Kolmonen, for the 2024 season. This has led to speculation among fans regarding when, or if, a match between the two teams will be played again.

Supporters

The supporters of both of the teams are known for the rivalry against each other and winning the derby fixtures decides "Stadin herruus" between the clubs. The team which manages to earn more points from Stadin derby fixtures within a single season, are awarded the Stadin herruus-trophy, which was first awarded in the late 1920s. If the points are even, goal difference decides the winner of the trophy. In case the goal differences are same, the winner will be undecided for the season.
The most renowned supporter group of HIFK is known as Stadin kingit. The supporters of HJK on the other hand are divided into two separate groups: Forza HJK and Sakilaiset. Stadin kingit and Sakilaiset have caused some controversy due to fights and minor football hooliganism between some members of the two groups. For example, prior to a Europa League fixture on 27 November 2014, some supporters of HJK and FC Copenhagen had a fight with each other. Copenhagen supporters were allegedly accompanied by Stadin kingit, as Stadin kingit share a friendship between Copenhagen supporters. Hooliganism is a relatively small issue in Finland and attending football matches in Finland is safe.
According to a 2012 survey, HJK was supported by 25% of all Finnish football supporters and 59% of those living in the Uusimaa region. The HIFK football branch was supported by 7% of all supporters and 12% of those living in Uusimaa. Ultimately both clubs are well supported all over the country as 30% of HJK supporters and 49% of HIFK supporters came outside of the Uusimaa region. However, HIFK's most popular sports section is the ice hockey one.

Matches

''Updated 1.2.2020''

HIFK in the league at home

HJK in the league at home

Cup

Other

Honours

Records

Biggest wins (5+ goals)

Goalscorers

Top 10 scorers (Modern era)

RankPlayerNationalityClubGoals
1Alfredo MorelosHJK3
2Evans MensahHJK2
3Filip ValenčičHJK2
4Atomu TanakaHJK1
5Joni KorhonenHIFK1
6Mike HavenaarHJK1
7Tommi VesalaHIFK1
8Jukka SinisaloHIFK1
9Formose MendyHJK1
10Esa TeräväHIFK1

Top scorers (Mestaruussarja)

RankPlayerNationalityClubGoals
1Holger SalinHIFK15
2Aatos LehtonenHJK12
3Olof StrömstenHIFK8
4Matti PaatelainenHIFK6
5Ernst GrönlundHIFK6

Players for both clubs

This is a list of players who played at least one competitive first team fixture for both clubs either in finnish championship competition or lower division.
NamePeriod at HIFKPeriod at HJKNotes
Verner Eklöf1913–19201920–1927First transfer between clubs
Thor Wikberg1948-19491940-1947
Rauli Hakala1960-1963, 19651948-1949
Hannu Kankkonen1953–19621963-1965
Stig Holmqvist1955-19621963-1964
Jarmo Lindahl1973-19741965-1966
Henry Forssell1966-19671968-1980HJK Hall of Fame member
Tryggve Wahlbäck1966-1972, 1974-19761973
Timo Rahja19721967-1971, 1973-1976
Martti Kuusela1969-19711972Also a head coach for HJK in 1980-1981 and 1990 seasons
Paul Degerth19711969-1970
Markku Viro1969-19711972-1974
Juha-Pekka Laine1971-19731974, 1976-1979
Östen Brännäs1975-19761972-1973
Raine Salmi1972-19751976-1977
Matti Kinnunen1973-19751977-1978
Erkki Salo19871975-1976
Pasi Jaakonsaari1976-19781980-1984, 1991-1992
Adil Ismail1987-19911977-1981
:fi:Risto Salomaa1983-????1978-1981
Reima Kokko1984-19851979-1982
Petteri Paukku1987-19881979-1980
Mika Muhonen1987-19881982-1985
Mika Väyrynen1992-1993, 1995-19971987-1990
Janne Murtomäki2001-20021988, 1993-1994
Erkka V. Lehtola1992, 19991996-1997, 1998
Jari Takatalo1998-20021993
Mikael Forssell20171997-1998, 2012-2014, 2016
Jani Nyholm1999-20012001
Juho Mäkelä2016-20182003-2006,2008-2010, 2012
Otto-Pekka Jurvainen2015-20182004
Antonio Inutile20142006
Tuomas Aho2015-20162006-2008
Mika Johansson2012, 2014-20162007
Ville Taulo2013-20162008-2009
Sakari Mattila2020-2008, 2012-2013
Mika Väyrynen2016-20172012-2014
Fredrik Lassas2015-20172013-2014
Carljohan Eriksson2015-20172014
Moshtagh Yaghoubi2020-2017-2018
Hannu Patronen2019-2017-2018

Other:
  • Tommy Lindholm played for HIFK in 1969 and 1970 seasons and managed HJK in 1996
  • Hannu Kautiainen played for HJK from 1970 to 1976 and coached HIFK for 10 seasons after his playing career
  • Gösta Löfgren was founding member of HJK but left the club before the first finnish championship in 1908 and later joined HIFK
  • Antti Muurinen Head coach for HJK 1997-1999 and 2007-2012 and for HIFK 2016-2017