what i found to be most interesting was not the game itself or even the absolutely hilarious mascot (seriously, watching a dude dressed in white tights and a massive bird-costume dancing to the beat is much more amusing than it initially may sound) but the atmosphere; how the 12 500 finns all unanimously cheered for the team with flags and chants and wild applauding. there were men in suits who showed their support in a subtle manner with a team scarf around their necks; and there were the more visible and audible fan groups with painted faces, team shirts and ample amount of different kinds of related accessories. and both of the mentioned categories as well as everyone in between cheering for the men with sticks skating after a puck; a group of skilled individuals majority of the audience has absolutely nothing to do with and yet embrace as their "own", representatives of our small country. it was almost like a mass-hypnosis; and i have to say that it was contagious.
i think sports in general has a magnificent power to bring people together. when you're watching a game, be it ice-hockey, soccer or something else, people tend to forget the differences that otherwise separate us in our daily lives. when your country scores it doesn't matter so much if you are a CEO or work in the gas station; you share the same joy and that joy brings you an inch closer to one another. i guess to an extent this has something to do with a sense of nationality and identity, even self-esteem; but what would be interesting to know is how to expand from that. obviously we are capable of being on the same side; obviously we don't have to fight one another. if we have something we can all stand behind of, then we can work together and feel that same kind of unity as we do in the seats of an arena.
