Finland’s early sporting pioneers of the last century played an important role in modernising many of the traditional contact sports and martial arts that we know today.

Finns are enthusiastic about their sport, and not just as spectators. Sport is an important part of Finnish culture, and has been for over a century. Ilkka Hartikai-
nen, a physical-culture enthusiast and researcher of historical martial arts, takes us through the early development of Finnish sporting culture.

Tonight (Thursday 18 August), Finland’s reigning champions, HJK, take on the German powerhouse Schalke in Europe’s second-tier competition, the Europa League. Just five months ago the visitors were facing Manchester United in the Champions League semi-finals, meaning this two-legged fixture will represent a massive challenge for Antti Muurinen’s charges.

It has been a tumultuous season for HJK, and one that is far from over. Seventeen wins from 20 league games – including a 100 per cent home record – has them 11 points clear at the top of the league as the domestic campaign begins its turn into the final straight.

Mika Myllylä, a former cross-country skier mired in Finland's long-running doping scandal, was found dead in his Kokkola home on Tuesday, the police said.

The police said a cause of death investigation had been launched, adding homicide had been ruled out.

The police did not disclose details.

HIFK and Jokerit played in Finland’s first Winter Classic at Helsinki’s Olympic Stadium on 5 February.

HIFK narrowly defeated Jokerit 4-3.
The cheerful atmosphere was marred by a mass brawl that erupted after the game, in which almost 100 fans were involved. There is a traditional rivalry between HIFK and Jokerit, as both these teams are based in Helsinki.

However, ice hockey hooliganism as witnessed after the Winter Classic is a rare phenomenon in Finland.

Photo: Kriby Wilson

As Finns work out more, companies have overtaken sports clubs as service providers.

Individual sports have rapidly increased in popularity in Finland. In addition to gyms, running trails have attracted tens of thousands of new runners in just four years.

“I have been running and attending running events just for fun for almost ten years. Now I have a seven-month-old daughter at home, so these are my first runs in a while,” says Paula Kujansivu, who is enjoying a run in the Central Park of Helsinki.

Baseball is one of the world’s most popular team games, but it marches on as a fringe sport in Finland.

“Baseball in Finland? Surely you mean the Finnish variant, pesäpallo?” No siree, Bob. The US national pastime has found a permanent footing on our shores, and there has been a baseball season in Finland every summer since the early 1980s. Without a blip on my radar screen, many point out. Indeed, countless are the victims of stealth, the quintessential sneakiness in the fake throws, base-running dekes, checked swings and feinted tags. Conversely, a transparent fact is that in 2010, a total of 45 top-level games will be played in the Finnish regular season, stretching from early May until mid-August, followed by the play-offs where the championship team will emerge by the onset of September.

The International Ice Hockey Federation’s flagship competition aims to offer sixteen days of riveting action.

Hot on the heels of a fascinating Olympic tournament, the 2010 Ice Hockey World Championships will commence on 7 May in what promises to be yet another enthralling competition. Germany will act as host with the cities of Gelsenkirchen, Cologne and Mannheim chosen for the event.

During its 74-year history the tournament has been held in Germany six times, but this year they are aiming for something special. Gelsenkirchen’s Veltins-Arena is scheduled to host the opening game, and ...

For the beauty of its scenery and outing opportunities the Vantaanjoki area must be one of Greater Helsinki’s best-kept secrets.

When Derek Stewart, 61, a Kiwi by birth but a Helsinki fixture since 1976, wants to feel free, breathe fresh air, and enjoy nature or simply contemplate life he puts on his walking shoes (Masai Barefoot Technology with rounded bottoms) and heads for one of his favourite walking routes: the track beside the river Vantaanjoki. The locals appreciate it, walking their dogs, Nordic walking, jogging, or cycling along it, and it’s a good place for kayaking. For those who do not live anywhere near the river, however, it might turn out to be a real oasis of wilderness, a break from the urban hustle and bustle.

Former European boxing champion Amin Asikainen, 34, will make a comeback to fight the thirtieth match of his professional career in Kirkkonummi on Tuesday 11 May.

The match to be held in Varuboden Arena will be Amin Asikainen’s first since September last year when he lost the middleweights’ European championship match to Matthew Macklin by technical knockout. Since his September defeat Asikainen has been out of the spotlight but has continued training steadily as before, in the precise manner his manager has said he will “never quit.”

Finland’s domestic football league has not always been the most entertaining sporting series, but a host of big names will be looking to change that in 2010.

THE CONTENDERS for the league title may be the same but if Finland’s football journalists are to be believed the balance of power has shifted since 2009. Last spring all eyes were on HJK who were expected to sweep all before them as 30-somethings Aki Riihilahti and Valeri Popovitch looked for one last glorious title.