Nokian Tyres returns as swamp football championships sponsor

The World Cup is drawing to a close, but those who can’t get enough football action can take solace is the knowledge that even after Germany/Argentina (delete where applicable if reading this on Monday) has taken home the sport’s most-coveted title, a whole host of football world championship action still awaits us this month. And like the FIFA version in Brazil, it is sponsored by a tyre maker.

The 15th Swamp Soccer World Championships will take place at the ‘legendary’ Vuorisuo bog in Ukkohalla, Hyrynsalmi between 18 and 19 July. Organisers anticipate the participation of some 250 teams, with nearly 5,000 players getting bogged down and more than 10,000 spectators watching matches from the sidelines. Nokian Tyres serves as title sponsor for an event described as being “the complete opposite of the ongoing World Cup.”

The two-day event comprises 700–800 matches on twenty 35 x 60 metre bog fields with various densities. There are six series in the competition, and each team fields a goal keeper and five other players. The rules are similar to ordinary football, but the main differences are the smaller field and the shorter, 20-minute matches.

So why has Nokian Tyres chosen to sponsor the championship? “Swamp soccer and developing tyres for the demanding Northern conditions both require perfect management of extreme conditions, seamless teamwork, passion, and dedication,” explained Antti-Jussi Tähtinen, vice-president, Marketing and Communications at Nokian Tyres. “Furthermore, swamp soccer is fun like our products that enable safe and comfortable driving.”

In the 2013 Swamp Soccer World Championships, all six series were won by Finnish teams. This year’s competition includes teams from Germany, Russia, Sweden, and Iceland, among others. The sport has become so popular in Iceland that the annual competition is the largest summer event in the country.