Niilo Tammisalo
Finnish multi-sport athlete, coach, and sports administrator.
Niilo Rudolf Tammisalo was a Finnish multi-sport athlete, coach, and administrator active in the early 20th century. He played for the national teams in football, ice hockey, and bandy, and won Finnish championships in all three sports. Tammisalo was a founding member of the Ilves Sports Club and led Ilves to two Finnish ice hockey titles as head coach.
Quick Facts
- Birth name
- Niilo Rudolf Ekbom
- Nickname
- Palloprofessori "The Ball Professor"
- Born
- 15 October 1894
- Birthplace
- Helsinki, Grand Duchy of Finland
- Died
- 5 February 1982
- Place of death
- Helsinki, Finland
- Resting place
- Hietaniemi Cemetery
- Height
- 1.73 m / 5 ft 8 in
Facts from the source article.
Playing career
Tammisalo was a goalkeeper for Helsingin Jalkapalloklubi (HJK), joining their representative team in 1911 at age 17. Over sixteen seasons he helped HJK win seven Finnish Championship Cups in football. He is noted as the first Finnish goalkeeper to punch the ball away from the goal. In bandy he won four Finnish championships with HJK. In ice hockey he won Finnish championships with HJK in 1929 and with Tampereen Palloilijat in 1931. While captaining and coaching Tampereen Ilves, he earned a bronze medal in 1934.
International play
Tammisalo played seven games for the Finnish national bandy team. He took part in the 1919 Finnish Winter Games match, the first game representing independent Finland, a 4-1 victory over IFK Uppsala. He was one of only three players from a club other than Viipurin Sudet on that roster. In ice hockey he made one appearance for Finland, in a three-game friendly series against Sweden in Stockholm in February 1933.
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where was Niilo Tammisalo born?
Niilo Tammisalo was born on 15 October 1894 in Helsinki, Grand Duchy of Finland.
When did Niilo Tammisalo die?
Niilo Tammisalo died on 5 February 1982 in Helsinki, Finland.
More in Ilves Players
Spotted an error? Know more?
Reader corrections go straight into our review queue. Suggest an edit · How this site is sourced