The Finns are mad
keen on sport. Athletics, roller-blading, ice hockey,
baseball, swimming, sailing and the list goes on
and on.
Helsinki has both natural and
artificial ice rinks, stadiums, several swimming pools, sixty sport
halls and over 180km (112 miles) of ski trails, so there is plenty
on offer.
The national game is pesäpallo, which is derived
from American baseball. HJK
Helsinki is the city’s main football club, based at the
Finnair Stadium,
Urheilukatu 1 (telephone number: (09) 7421 6300). In November 2002,
the team proved itself to be Finland’s most successful football
team, by securing its 20th Finnish Championship title.
Recent Finnish successes also include Mika Häkkinen,
who was the 1998 and 1999 Formula One motoracing champion.
The Sports Museum of Finland (telephone
number: (09) 434 2250) is located in the Olympic Stadium, Paavo
Nurmentie 1 (telephone number: (09) 440 363), which is also the
location for the international football matches and games.
Tickets
Tickets to sporting events are available online through Finland’s
nationwide ticket retailer, Lippupalvelu
Oy (telephone number: (09) 613 8611, fax number: (09) 6138 6299).
Fitness centres
Frisk Alexium,
Aleksanterinkatu 15 (telephone number: (09) 612 9010) is a fully
equipped health and fitness centre, open every day.
Golf
Helsingin golfklubi,
Talin kartano
Telephone number: (09) 550 235
Fax number: (09) 565 3596)
Helsingin golfklubi
offers 27 holes to visitors until 1400 hrs, at a cost of €23.50.
Keimola Golf Club,
Kirkantie 32,
Vantaa
Telephone number: (09) 276 6650
Fax number: (09) 896 790)
Keimola Golf Club
is located near the airport and has an 18-hole course, with green
fees start at €33.50 from Monday-Friday and €37 at the
weekend..
The courses have a restaurant, pro shop and other facilities. Players
to have a registered handicap to play.
Roller-blading
Blading gear can be hired from Cat Sport Oy, Töölönlahti,
a kiosk on the Finlandia Hall shore and prices start at €4
for 30 minutes of hire.
Swimming
One of the best places for a dip is the summer open-air pool, Hammarskjöldintie,
near the Olympic Stadium (telephone number: (09) 3108 77854).
Otherwise the Olympic Stadium, Stadium Tower, Paavo
Nurmentie 1 (telephone number: (09) 440 363), and the Serena
Leisure Centre, Tornimäentie 10, Espoo (telephone
number: (09) 8870 5555), both have large pools. Other places for
visitors to bathe during the summer include Hietaranta Beach
and Seurasaari and Pihlajasaari islands.
Tennis
Helsinki has 31 tennis clubs and 8 tennis centres. Outdoor courts
cost €10-20 for an hour and rackets can be hired for about
€8.50 a day.
For further information contact:
The Finnish Tennis
Association,
Varikkotie 4
Telephone number: (09) 341 7130
Fax number: (09) 331 105) |
