Finland

For a first time visitor, Finland can be a strange and curious experience. People don't talk much, winters seem to last forever, and the quality of football leaves much to be desired. Having said that, many people - Finns and foreigners alike - are proud to call this Nordic country their home. There are many aspects of the Finnish lifestyle (even football!) that are loveable, and in some cases even addictive.

Finnish winters are something to experience. When the ground is white with powdery snow, the sky is bright blue, and all is quiet, it feels like you are in a magical place. In the summer, on the other hand, you can swim in the thousands of lakes, enjoy the midnight sun, and simply relax after a long winter.

For obvious reasons, ice-hockey is the number one sport in Finland. Football is also appreciated, but not to the same extent as in some other countries. This also has a bright side since you are almost always guaranteed a seat in a pub or a stadium if you go there to watch football.

Finnish football, if not quite world class, is still as interesting as anywhere else. The national team has been on the brink of international recognition for years, but somehow always just failing to qualify for major tournaments. The Finnish league is also of a reasonably low standard due to the best players emigrating to big European teams. The quality of Finnish football (league and national alike) has, however, improved in recent years, and it is only a matter of time until Finnish teams are among the finest in the world. OK, it will be a very long time, but you never know...

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