Ari Hjelm

Ari - Juhani Hjelm ( born February 24, 1962 in Tampere ), better known as Ari " Zico " Hjelm, is a former Finnish football player and currently coach of the Finnish first division club Tampere United active.

Career

Hjelm, who played in the position of striker, start his career in his homeland with Ilves Tampere. In 1988 he moved to Germany at that Bundesliga side Stuttgart Kickers. With them he dismounted and even played one season in the second division in Stuttgart. He then moved back to Ilves Tampere, before he ventured a second attempt in Germany and the second division club FC St. Pauli 1992 to 1994 played. After that he went to HJK Helsinki, for which he ran aground until 1996.

Hjelm also played 100 internationals for Finland. He held the national record before Jari Litmanen surpassed him in 2006. This sparked Hjelm, which may have 20 international goals from as Top scorer of the association. Since FIFA no longer evaluates international appearances at the Olympic Games since 1999 as 'A' matches, Hjelm is however done in official statistics, only 93 international matches and 18 goals.

Hjelm was voted 1987 Footballer of the Year in Finland. After finishing his career in addition, he was named honorary captain of the Finnish national team.

After the end of his career he became a coach and has so far won three Finnish championships.

Achievements

Player

• Honorary captain of the Finnish national team
• Finnish Footballer of the Year: 1987
• Finnish Football Champion: 1983
• Finnish Cup: 1990, 1996

Coach

• Finnish Football Champion: 2001, 2006, 2007