Atlantis FC - History

History

The club was founded in late 1995 when Johanneksen Dynamo (founded 1980) and FC Norssi (founded 1985) merged. The name "Atlantis FC" was created by Gösta Sundqvist, singer of Leevi and the Leavings.

The team began to play in the third tier of Finnish football (the Kakkonen) in 1996 and in 1997 they were promoted to the Ykkönen. In 1999 the club reached the playoffs for promotion to the first tier (Veikkausliiga, or betting league in English, named for its sponsor) but lost to Vaasan Palloseura. The following year they achieved promotion to the Veikkausliiga. In 2001 Atlantis finished seventh in the league and won the Finnish Cup.

The club fell into financial difficulties and went bankrupt 2002 and their place in the Premier League was given to AC Allianssi. The club's reserve team is Atlantis Akatemia (Atlantis Academy) still continued in second division. 2003 it changed its name to Atlantis FC and in 2004 the club was promoted to the Ykkönen.

Atlantis' current manager is Markku Ritala and they play their home matches at Helsingin Pallokenttä. In June 2009 players Ville Rapeli, Timo Aaltonen, Esa Terävä, Kalle Vasse, Miikka Kärkkäinen, Max Thibault, Petteri Paajanen, Adel Eid, Xhevdet Gela, Janne Arolinna, Jasper Valentin and Zakaria Kibona left the club. Many former Lithuanian league players came to the club. Lithuanian Saulius Sirlemis took charge of the club after former manager Pasi Pihamaa left his post as manager.

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