Finland

Finland is a country in Northern Europe. Helsinki is the capital and largest city.

History of hockey in Finland
The first game somewhat resembling ice hockey as played in Finland in 1899. The game was held in Helsinki, and resembled both Bandy and ice hockey. In 1927, the Finnish Skating Association introduced ice hockey as part of its program, and the first club games were played in Tampere in 1929.

The country joined the IIHF on February 10, 1928, and the Finnish Ice Hockey Association was founded a year later.

The SM-sarja was first contested in 1927, and it operated as the top level of Finnish hockey until the SM-Liiga was founded for the 1975-76 season. Ilves Tampere has won the most Finnish championships, with 16, and Tappara Tampere has won the second most, with 15. The Mestis has operated as the second level league since 2001. From 1976-2001, the I-Divisioona was the second level league. The Suomi-sarja is the third level league, and the II-Divisioona is the fourth level of Finnish hockey.

The men's national team made its international debut in 1928, playing a doubleheader against the Swedish national team, represented by IK Gota. They first participated in the World Championships in 1939, finishing in 14th place. After that, they did not participate in the World Championships again until 1949. They have competed yearly at the World Championships since 1954, winning the gold medal twice, the silver medal six times, and the bronze medal three times. Their first medal, a silver, came in 1992. They won five medals at the European Championships from the combined events with the World Championships. Finland debuted at the Olympics in 1952, and have competed at them yearly since 1960, winning two silver and three bronze medals. They played in the Canada Cup four times, taking third place in 1991. At the World Cup of Hockey, they finished in fifth place in 1996, and as the runner-up in 2004.

The women's national team first appeared on the international scene in 1988, playing in the Nordic Cup, in which they were victorious going 5-0. At the Women's European Championships, they won the gold medal four times and the bronze medal. They have participated in the Women's World Championships since their inaugural edition in 1990, winning the bronze medal 10 times. They have participated in all four Olympics since 1998, winning two bronze medals. At the 4 Nations Cup, they have won the silver medal once, and the bronze medal 10 times. The women's U18 national team has participated in the Women's World U18 Championships annually since 2008, winning the bronze medal in 2011.

The junior national team first appeared at the World Junior Championships in 1974, and they have competed every year since then. They have won two gold medals, five silver medals, and six bronze medals at the world juniors.