Sport in Finland
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Sport is considered a national pastime in Finland and many Finns visit different sporting events regularly.[1][2] Pesäpallo is the national sport of Finland, although the most popular forms of sport in terms of television viewers and media coverage are ice hockey and Formula One. In spectator attendance, harness racing comes right after ice hockey in popularity.
Other popular sports include floorball, bandy, football, ringette, and Pesäpallo.
Popular sports in Finland
Ice hockey
| Year | Location | Result |
|---|---|---|
1995 |
Stockholm / Gävle  Sweden |
Gold |
| 2011 | Bratislava / Košice  Slovakia |
Gold |
| 2019 | Bratislava / Košice Slovakia |
Gold |
| 2022 | Tampere / Helsinki  Finland |
Gold |
Football
Football in Finland, unlike in most
Floorball
Finland has hosted Men's World Floorball Championships in 2002 and 2010 and will host it again in 2020. The game is played similar to floor hockey, with five players and a goal keeper on each team. The game is played indoors for men and woman, using 95 to 115.5 cm. sticks, and a plastic ball. The length of the game is three twenty minute periods.
Motorsport
Motorsport became popular in Finland in the 1950s with the birth of
Currently the most popular form of motorsport is
Other forms of motorsport popular in Finland include
-
Folkrace and Rallycross -
Lancia Delta at the 1987 WRC season -
Kimi Räikkönen driving for Scuderia Ferrari at the 2009 F1 season -
Bottas driving for Mercedes at the 2017 Malaysian Grand Prix
Bandy
Bandy is played throughout Finland. It was the first team sport with a national Finnish championship. The Bandyliiga is still popular. In 2004, Finland won the Bandy World Championship. The game consists of two teams whose goal is to put a single ball in opposing team's goal to score. The game is played on ice, with both teams on skates. In terms of licensed athletes, it is the second biggest winter sport in the world.[17] Finland's Bandy Association (Finnish: Suomen Jääpalloliitto, Swedish: FinlandsBandyförbund) is the governing body for the sport of bandy in Finland.
Pesäpallo
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Developed by Lauri "Tahko" Pihkala in the 1920s and often considered as a national sport of Finland, pesäpallo has a steady popularity around the country, especially in the Ostrobothnia region. The main national league, Superpesis, has an attendance average of about 1,600 in men's and 500 in the women's league.[18]
Ringette
In 1979, Juhani Wahlsten introduced ringette in Finland.[19] Wahlsten created some teams in Turku. Finland's first ringette club was Ringetteläisiä Turun Siniset, and the country's first ringette tournament took place in December, 1980. In 1979 Juhani Wahlsten invited two coaches, Wendy King and Evelyn Watson, from Dollard-des-Ormeaux, a suburb of Montreal, Quebec, Canada, to teach girls of various ages how to play ringette.[20] The Ringette Association of Turku was established in 1981 and several Canadian coaches went there to initiate the training and help establish the sport. The ski national week then organized an annual tournament to bring together all the ringette teams.
Internationally Canada and Finland have always been the most active ambassadors in the International Ringette Federation. Canada and Finland regularly travel across various countries to demonstrate how ringette is played.
Ice cross downhill
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Racers are typically athletes with a background in ice hockey, however competitors from the sports of bandy and ringette have also competed with great success, such as Salla Kyhälä from Finland's national ringette team, who also played in Canada's National Ringette League and Mirko Lahti has win Finnish downhill skating championship two times 2020 and 2021. Junior World championship 2017-2018 and Men`s World championship 2022-23.
Synchronized Skating
Inline skating originated in Finland in the 1980s and was initially known as group patterning. The first Finnish Synchronized skating team, The Rockets (HTK; now Helsinki Rockettes), was founded in 1984. Today, Finland is one of the top countries in figure skating - the teams have done well in international competitions for years. There are more than 100 Synchronized skating teams in Finland.
Skiing
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FIS Nordic Wolrd Ski Championships Seefeld 2019 - Men 15 km Interval Start Classic. Picture shows Iivo Niskanen (FIN). Finland has always produced successful competitors in the disciplines of
Finland has been the most successful nation in
As a country strong in both cross-country skiing and ski jumping Finland has also enjoyed success in
Although traditionally not as strong as Norway, Sweden, Germany and Russia in biathlon, Finland has had world-class competitors in this discipline.
In recent years Finnish skiers have enjoyed success in the technical disciplines of
Athletics
The sport of
Combat sports
Wrestling
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Wrestling was a successful sport for Finns in the early 20th century. The first wrestling club was the Helsingin Atleettiklubi founded in 1891, and the Finnish championship series (SM-kilpailut) were organized for the first time in 1898.[21] Verner Weckman won his series At the 1906 Athens Intermediate Olympics and achieved Finland's first official Olympic victory two years later in London.[22] In total, Finns won 20 Olympic gold medals in wrestling between 1908 and 1936, thirteen of them in Greco-Roman wrestling and seven in freestyle wrestling. From the period after the Second World War, Finland has six wrestling gold medals, five of which are from Greco-Roman wrestling.[23] The last Finnish men's world champion is Marko Yli-Hannuksela from 1997, but the European Finns have won championships even in the 2000s, when women's wrestling became more common, and in 2018 Petra Olli became the first Finnish female wrestler to win the world championship.
Boxing
Finnish boxing championship competitions started in 1923.[24] Finnish Olympic champions are Sten Suvio from 1936 and Pentti Hämäläinen from 1952.[25] However, the most famous Finnish boxer of the 1930s was Gunnar Bärlund, who was the second challenger to world champion Joe Louis in the professional boxing heavyweight rankings.[26] The first Finn to compete in the professional world championship was Olli Mäki, who lost to Davey Moore in the World Championship match at the Helsinki Olympic Stadium in August 1962.[27] Mäki is the only Finn who has won both the amateur and professional European championships.[28] The amateur WC medal has been achieved by Tarmo Uusivirta 1978 and 1982, Jyri Kjäll 1993[29] and Joni Turunen 1995 and 2001. Women's boxing n's biggest star is Eva Wahlström, who in 2015 was the first Finn to win the world championship in professional boxing.[30] Today, Robert Helenius is Finland's most successful boxer.
Mixed martial arts
In judo, Finland's only World Championship medal has been achieved by
American Football
American football has a long history in Finland. The American Football Association of Finland is the governing body and the Vaahteraliiga founded in 1980, is the highest level in Finland signing import talent from North America and Europe. The Finland national American football team has won five European championships.[31]
Basketball
As Finland appeared at the
As in many countries worldwide, Finland has shown some major improvements in its professionalization of the game of basketball recently. Its Korisliiga sends teams to European competitions and has drawn the interest of an increasing number of talents especially from North America but also from Southeastern Europe.[33]
Volleyball
- Finland men's national volleyball team has often participated in the EuroVolley Championships and succeeded steadily. the World Championships also made a comeback in 2014, challenging the big volleyball countries to finish in 9th place. Finland Volleyball League is highest level in Finland.
Finland featured a women's national team in beach volleyball that competed at the 2018–2020 CEV Beach Volleyball Continental Cup.[34]
Disc golf
Disc golf is the fastest growing sport in Finland.[35] According to the Finnish Research Institute for Olympic Sports (KIHU), it is more popular among Finns than ball golf, volleyball, basketball and tennis.[36] As of June 2020[update], there are approximately 700 disc golf courses in Finland.[37]
Harness racing
Harness racing in Finland is characterised by the use of the coldblood breed Finnhorse along with modern light trotters such as the Standardbred. In lack of gallop racing culture, harness racing is the main equestrian sport in Finland. Horses used for harness racing in Finland are exclusively trotters.
Racing back home from church had been a tradition long before the first organised race was held in 1817. Modern racing started in the 1960s, when light breeds were allowed to enter the sport and Parimutuel betting gained foothold as pastime. Nowadays harness racing remains popular, with the main events gathering tens of thousands of spectators in the country with a population of some 5 million.
Rugby union
Rugby union is a minor but growing sport. With both Men's and Women's 15's teams are represented in world rankings and both Women and Men's Sevens teams competing internationally. Finland Men's 15's team is currently ranked 86th out of 105 by World Rugby.[38] Finland Women's 15's team is currently ranked 47th out of 56 by World Rugby.[39]
Sport shooting
The
Tennis
Tennis came to Finland in 1881. The first club was Wiborgs lawntennisklubb, founded in 1898. The Finnish Tennis Federation was founded in 1911, and it immediately joined the international tennis federation. The first Finnish championship was won in 1912 by Boris Schildt. in 2023 Finnish team advanced to the Davis Cup final tournament for the first time and knocking out 32-time champions USA to reach the quarter-finals for the first time. Henri Kontinen has involved in winning Wimbledon Championships – Mixed doubles and Australian Open – Men's doubles, Harri Heliövaara has involved in winning US Open – Mixed doubles. Jarkko Nieminen is the highest-ranked Finnish tennis player ever in the world and the only Finn to win an ATP singles tournament.
Skittles sports
Finnish skittles (Kyykkä), is a centuries-old game of Karelian origin. Mölkky is modern version of Kyykkä.
Cue sports
Ball hockey
Finland has participated in the sport's World Championships since the 2009 Games. The first Finnish tournament was organized in 2018. Finnish Ball Hockey Federation was founded in 2017 and its belongs to the ISBHF (International Street & Ball Hockey Federation).
Controversies
Arto Halonen made a documentary about doping in sport in Finnish winter sports in 2012.[40] Janne Immonen, Jari Isometsä and Harri Kirvesniemi were convicted in October 2013 by the Helsinki District Court.[41]
International championships hosted by Finland
See also
- Finland at the Olympics
- The Flying Finns
- Sportspersons on List of Finns
- Finnish Wheelchair Curling Championship
References
- ^ "How Finns Make Sports Part of Everyday Life". NPR.org.
- ^ Suominen, Seppo. "The Geography of Sport in Finland" (PDF). www.athensjournals.gr.
- ^ "SM-liigan katsojat 2010–2011". SM-liiga. 2011. Archived from the original on 27 September 2011. Retrieved 9 January 2012.
- ^ "Leijonien MM-finaalista historian katsotuin jääkiekko-ottelu Suomessa!". mtv.fi. 23 May 2016. Retrieved 23 May 2016.
- ^ "NHL announces World Cup of Hockey for 2016". The Canadian Press. 24 January 2015. Retrieved 29 January 2015.
- ^ Blinder, Alan (19 February 2022). "Finland beats Russia, 2-1, for the gold in men's hockey". The New York Times. Retrieved 20 February 2022.
- ^ Ellis, Steven (20 February 2022). "Finland Defeats ROC to Win Men's Olympic Hockey Gold". The Hockey News. Retrieved 20 February 2022.
- Yle News. 20 February 2022. Retrieved 20 February 2022.
- ^ "Lajeja paikan päällä vähintään kerran vuodessa seuraavien määrä lajeittain 19-65-vuotiaiden keskuudessa" (PDF). Kansallinen liikuntatutkimus 2005–2006. Ministry of Education. 2006. Retrieved 13 February 2010.[permanent dead link]
- ^ a b "Suomen Palloliitto". Football Association of Finland. Archived from the original on 12 February 2010. Retrieved 13 February 2010.
- ^ "Info". Finnish Ice Hockey Association. Archived from the original on 27 February 2010. Retrieved 13 February 2010.
- ^ a b "Urheilulajien harrastajamäärät 19-65-vuotiaiden keskuudessa" (PDF). Kansallinen liikuntatutkimus 2005–2006. Ministry of Education. 2006. Retrieved 13 February 2010.[permanent dead link]
- ^ a b c "Urheilulajien harrastajamäärät 8-13-vuotiaiden keskuudessa" (PDF). Kansallinen liikuntatutkimus 2005–2006. Ministry of Education. 2006. Retrieved 13 February 2010.[permanent dead link]
- ^ a b "Jalkapallo kasvussa Suomessa ja maailmalla". refers to FIFA Big Count 2006. Football Association of Finland. 19 June 2007. Archived from the original on 20 July 2011. Retrieved 13 February 2010.
- ^ Neste Rally Finland – Kosunen Racing
- ^ Why is Jyväskylä The Capital of Sport? – Jyvaskyla.fi
- ^ "Bandy destined for the Olympic Winter Games!". Archived from the original on 17 October 2018. Retrieved 4 January 2017.
- ^ "Pesäpallon katsojakeskiarvot 1990–2010". 2010. Retrieved 9 January 2012.[permanent dead link]
- ^ (in Finnish) History Archived 2011-09-07 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "Ringette Suomessa". Wrc2015.com (in Finnish). Retrieved 4 May 2022.
- ^ Pihlaja 1994, p. 473.
- ^ "Weckman, Verner (1882 - 1968)". Kansallisbiografia. 13 June 2008.
- ^ Pihlaja 1994, pp. 482–483.
- ^ Pihlaja 1994, p. 454.
- ^ Pihlaja 1994, p. 463.
- ^ Lunasheimo, pp. 523, 536.
- ^ Lounasheimo, pp. 659–660.
- ^ Lounasheimo, p. 651.
- ^ Pihlaja 1994, p. 464.
- ^ "Wahlström hit Finnish boxing history". Yle. 26 April 2015. Retrieved 11 May 2015.[dead link]
- ^ All you need to know About American Football in Europe - Franchise Sports
- ^ FIBA (31 August 2014). "Fan power! Finn power! The tournament "begins" on a winning note for Dettman's team". FIBA.com. Archived from the original on 14 October 2017. Retrieved 2 November 2014.
- ^ JAVIER GANCEDO (31 August 2014). "Koponen, thousands of fans send basketball flying high in Finland". Euroleague.net. Retrieved 2 November 2014.
- FIVB. 22 June 2021. Retrieved 7 August 2021.
- ^ Dahlström, Sebastian (12 July 2019). "Swish genom luften och klirr i kedjorna - frisbeegolf är Finlands snabbast växande idrottsgren". svenska.yle.fi (in Swedish). Retrieved 16 June 2020.
- ^ Toivonen, Kari (12 August 2019). "Now it is Official – Disc Golf is Enormously Popular in Finland". Parked. Retrieved 16 June 2020.
- ^ "Advanced Course Search - Finland". Professional Disc Golf Association. Retrieved 16 June 2020.
- ^ worldrugby.org. "Men's Rankings | World Rugby | worldrugby.org". www.world.rugby. Retrieved 21 April 2020.
- ^ worldrugby.org. "Women's Rankings | World Rugby | worldrugby.org". www.world.rugby. Retrieved 21 April 2020.
- ^ "Sinivalkoinen valhe". Archived from the original on 21 October 2013. Retrieved 21 October 2013.
- ^ ski stars convicted of perjury in decades old doping scandal 18 October 2013
External links
| Summer Olympic Sports |
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| Winter Olympic Sports |
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| Other IOC Recognised Sports |
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| Others Sports |
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