12 Facts About Niilo Tammisalo

Niilo Rudolf Tammisalo was an influential figure in Finnish sports in the first half of the 20th century.

Niilo Tammisalo was a versatile athlete who represented Finland as a player with the national teams in football, ice hockey, and bandy; he was on Finnish Champion teams in each of the three sports with domestic clubs.

Niilo Tammisalo was the first chairman of Basketball Finland, served as head coach of the Finland national team, was a sports instructor and lecturer at the University of Helsinki, and served as a referee in international competitions for football, ice hockey, and bandy.

Niilo Tammisalo played as goalkeeper at the semi-professional level with Helsingin Jalkapalloklubi.

Niilo Tammisalo began playing on the club's representative team in 1911, when he was 17 years old, and would remain loyal to HJK throughout his sixteen-season football career, helping them achieve seven Finnish Championship Cup victories.

Niilo Tammisalo is credited as the first Finnish goalkeeper to knock the ball away from the goal with his fist.

Niilo Tammisalo was a four time Finnish Champion in bandy with HJK, in 1921,1923,1924 and 1928.

Niilo Tammisalo was Finnish Champion in ice hockey while playing with HJK in 1929 and with Tampereen Palloilijat in 1931.

Niilo Tammisalo played in seven games with the Finnish men's national bandy team.

Niilo Tammisalo participated in the particularly significant match at the 1919 Finnish Winter Games, the first game in which players represented the recently independent nation Finland.

The national team's roster was dominated by players from Viipurin Sudet and Niilo Tammisalo was one of only three players representing a different domestic club.

Niilo Tammisalo is credited with one appearance representing Finland in international ice hockey competition, a three-game series of friendlies against the Swedish national team that were played in Stockholm in February 1933.