From Turku to Texas- How Finnish NFL Fans Mix Sports and Online Entertainment
American football is an incredibly popular sport in many corners of the world. While not everyone follows the NFL religiously in Finland, at least the Super Bowl is a massive phenomenon for sports fans in this Nordic country.
One of the things that draws Finnish people into the Super Bowl is the undeniably grandiose spectacle that it is. For one night per year, Finns, too, can bask in the glory of the biggest event in all of sports. In this very article, we take a look at some of the things that Finnish people do to make the most of their NFL and sports experiences.
1. Waking up at weird times to watch sports live
The world of international sports waits for no man. Whenever there is a big sporting event that captures the attention of the whole world, fans in different countries will need to adjust their schedules. This is not only the case with the NFL but also ice hockey, the Olympics, and every other major sport out there.
Since the Super Bowl is a traditional American phenomenon, the only way Finns are able to watch it live is by staying up late. The event usually kicks off at around 6:30 pm Eastern Time, which is as late as 1:30 AM in Finland. On top of this, the event lasts for several hours, which means Finns really need to prepare well to make it through the night without dozing off.
One strategy that some Finns may try is to initially go to bed early. This way, they can get some pre-sleep before ultimately waking up to watch the Super Bowl. Another strategy is to stack up on caffeinated products such as coffee and energy drinks in order to keep the energy up and avoid falling asleep.
2. Getting their bets in
Finns have become very well known for their gambling enthusiasm. Gambling has been legal in Finland since the early 1940s, and online casinos of today have only added fuel to the fire. The somewhat famous comparison site zimplerkasinot is home to multiple links to Finnish online casinos and sportsbooks alike. Many Finns use the brand to find themselves new good and safe places to gamble.
Whenever Finns watch any sporting event, many of them will also end up placing their bets on the outcome. NFL matches, and especially the Super Bowl, are also among some of the more popular events for Finnish sports bettors.
While there are some professional sports bettors in Finland, the vast majority of Finns prefer to simply bet on the teams that they want to win. This kind of casual sports betting is something that most Finnish sports fans cannot be enough of—especially since local Finnish sports teams tend to have high odds in any international sport.
3. Playing sports games online
In Finland, as well as several other places, sports games constitute one of the most successful game genres out there today. EA Sports owns the licenses to most of the biggest sports in the world, including the NHL, NBA, FIFA, and NHL. Every year, the studio comes out with another annual installment and version that features the newest players, player stats, and events.
One of the most exciting ways to experience sports games is by playing them online. This way, players can compete with each other, setting up real-life competitions and tournaments against the best players in the world. In other words, instead of just following these sports, fans themselves can participate virtually.
If you happen to be particularly good at playing video games, you might even end up making a career for yourself as an esports player. Nowadays, this, too, can be an extremely lucrative way to make money, and relatively many Finns have chosen to take this route.
Conclusion
Sports is not only about watching things on television. In today's online environment, watching sports can be more akin to a lifestyle. Fans do not only have to watch sports, they can live and breathe them as well, engaging in online discussions as well as other external activities.
Whether you live in Finland or somewhere else, it is solely on you to choose how you want to enjoy sports!