Tim Sparv
Encyclopedia
Tim Sparv is a Finnish
footballer who plays for FC Groningen as a midfielder
.
, Ostrobothnia
, Sparv signed for Southampton
in 2003, leaving the Finnish third division outfit Norrvalla FF. He spent three years in the renowned youth academy of Southampton
. He was a member of Southampton's youth team that reached the final of the FA Youth Cup in 2005, where he played alongside Theo Walcott
, losing on aggregate to Ipswich Town
. He was named in the first team squad for 2006–07 season and made numerous reserve team appearances but, as Southampton had a plethora of midfielders from which to choose, he was unable to break through into the first team itself. On 7 January 2007, he moved to Halmstads BK
to play in Allsvenskan
, on the advice of both his father and former Halmstads BK player Michael Svensson
. On 1 May 2008, he was loan
ed out to Vaasan Palloseura
after suffering illness as well as a lack of playing time with Halmstads.
In August 2009, he was close to a move to Groningen, but Halmstad refused to let him go at that point. On 14 August, FC Groningen announced Sparv will be joining them as of 1 January 2010. He scored his first goal for Groningen in the opening match of the 2010−11
season, in a 1−1 draw against AZ.
played at home but did not make an appearance in the tournament. He made his Finland U21
debut on 7 October 2006 and played a big part in the successful 2009 European Championship qualifying
campaign, playing in 9 out of 10 games and scoring three goals. He was made team captain during the 2009 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship
and scored a penalty in a 2–1 defeat by England
on 15 June 2009.
On 4 February 2009, Sparv made his debut for the senior team
in a friendly match against Japan
, which ended in a 5–1 defeat.
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Finland
Finland , officially the Republic of Finland, is a Nordic country situated in the Fennoscandian region of Northern Europe. It is bordered by Sweden in the west, Norway in the north and Russia in the east, while Estonia lies to its south across the Gulf of Finland.Around 5.4 million people reside...
footballer who plays for FC Groningen as a midfielder
Midfielder
A midfielder is an association football position. Some midfielders play a more defensive role, while others blur the boundaries between midfielders and forwards. The number of midfielders a team uses during a match may vary, depending on the team's formation and each individual player's role...
.
Club career
Born in OravaisOravais
Oravais is a former municipality of Finland. It is located in the province of Western Finland and is part of the Ostrobothnia region. The municipality had a population of 2,189 and covered a land area of . The population density was...
, Ostrobothnia
Ostrobothnia (region)
Ostrobothnia is a region of Finland. It is located in Western Finland. It borders the regions Central Ostrobothnia, Southern Ostrobothnia, and Satakunta and is one of the four regions making up the historical province of Ostrobothnia....
, Sparv signed for Southampton
Southampton F.C.
Southampton Football Club is an English football team, nicknamed The Saints, based in the city of Southampton, Hampshire. The club gained promotion to the Championship from League One in the 2010–2011 season after being relegated in 2009. Their home ground is the St Mary's Stadium, where the club...
in 2003, leaving the Finnish third division outfit Norrvalla FF. He spent three years in the renowned youth academy of Southampton
Southampton F.C. Academy
Southampton Football Club Academy or Saints Academy is the youth organisation run by Southampton Football Club to encourage and develop young footballers in the South of England...
. He was a member of Southampton's youth team that reached the final of the FA Youth Cup in 2005, where he played alongside Theo Walcott
Theo Walcott
Theo James Walcott is an English footballer of Jamaican descent who plays for Arsenal and the England national team. Walcott is a product of the Southampton F.C. Academy. He is a striker who is usually deployed on the right wing as a wide forward to exploit his speed...
, losing on aggregate to Ipswich Town
Ipswich Town F.C.
Ipswich Town Football Club are an English professional football team based in Ipswich, Suffolk. As of 2011, they play in the Football League Championship, having last appeared in the Premier League in 2001–02....
. He was named in the first team squad for 2006–07 season and made numerous reserve team appearances but, as Southampton had a plethora of midfielders from which to choose, he was unable to break through into the first team itself. On 7 January 2007, he moved to Halmstads BK
Halmstads BK
Halmstads Bollklubb, also called HBK or just Halmstad, is a Swedish football club located in Halmstad in the southwest of Sweden. The club, formed 6 March 1914, competes in the highest Swedish league, Allsvenskan, and has won 4 national championship titles and 1 national cup title...
to play in Allsvenskan
Allsvenskan
Allsvenskan is a Swedish professional league for association football clubs. At the top of the Swedish football league system, it is the country's primary football competition. Contested by 16 clubs, it operates on a system of promotion and relegation with Superettan...
, on the advice of both his father and former Halmstads BK player Michael Svensson
Michael Svensson
Michael Lennart Svensson is a Swedish professional footballer who plays as a centre back for Halmstads BK in Superettan. He is best known at club level for his playing career with Southampton...
. On 1 May 2008, he was loan
Loan (football)
In sports, a loan involves a particular player being allowed to temporarily play for a club other than the one he is currently contracted to. Loan deals may last from a few weeks to all season-long....
ed out to Vaasan Palloseura
Vaasan Palloseura
Vaasan Palloseura is a Finnish football club, based in Vaasa. It currently plays in the Finnish Premier Division . The club's manager is Tommi Pikkarainen and assistant manager is Petri Vuorinen. The club plays its home matches at Hietalahti...
after suffering illness as well as a lack of playing time with Halmstads.
In August 2009, he was close to a move to Groningen, but Halmstad refused to let him go at that point. On 14 August, FC Groningen announced Sparv will be joining them as of 1 January 2010. He scored his first goal for Groningen in the opening match of the 2010−11
2010–11 Eredivisie
-Managerial changes:-League table:-Results:...
season, in a 1−1 draw against AZ.
International career
Sparv was the second youngest player in the squad for the 2003 FIFA U-17 World Championship2003 FIFA U-17 World Championship
The FIFA U-17 World Championship 2003 was held in the cities of Helsinki, Tampere, Lahti, and Turku in Finland between 13 August and 30 August 2003...
played at home but did not make an appearance in the tournament. He made his Finland U21
Finland national under-21 football team
The Finnish national under-21 football team is the national under-21 football team of Finland. The team qualified for the UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship final tournament in 2009.-UEFA U-21 Championship Record:...
debut on 7 October 2006 and played a big part in the successful 2009 European Championship qualifying
2009 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship qualification Group 6
The teams competing in Group 6 of the 2009 UEFA European Under-21 Championships qualifying competition are Denmark, Finland, Lithuania, Scotland and Slovenia.-Standings:Key:...
campaign, playing in 9 out of 10 games and scoring three goals. He was made team captain during the 2009 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship
2009 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship
The 2009 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship began on 15 June 2009, and was the 17th UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship. This was the first tournament after the competition reverted to a two-year format, following the single-year 2006-07 competition, which allowed the change to...
and scored a penalty in a 2–1 defeat by England
England national under-21 football team
England's national Under-21 football team, also known as England Under-21s or England U21, is considered to be the feeder team for the England national football team....
on 15 June 2009.
On 4 February 2009, Sparv made his debut for the senior team
Finland national football team
The Finland national football team represents Finland in international football competitions and is controlled by the Football Association of Finland....
in a friendly match against Japan
Japan national football team
The Japan national football team represents Japan in association football and is operated by the Japan Football Association, the governing body for association football in Japan...
, which ended in a 5–1 defeat.
International
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External links
- Profile at fcgroningen.nl
- Profile at FA of Finland's official website
- BBC profile
- HBK Profile
- Profile at ESPNsoccernet