More Peacocks…

…from Helsinki zoo. He certainly looks like one of the stars of the World Cup, doesn’t he? Not like Wayne Rooney or Lionel Messi though.

Art Meets Sand…

…at Helsinki zoo. Impressive sand sculptures can be seen at the zoo as long as they last. That will be a lot longer than the average sand castle.

Earlier in Art Meets Ice there were ice sculptures such as this frog and this princess.

In the photo Sand Baby by Donatas Mockus and Salmon embrace by Bruno MacDonald.

Horrible Day for Referees…

…at the World Cup. Fortunately the better teams won but big mistakes by the referees robbed the underdogs the chances for surprises.

Just before the games Finnish tv showed a documentary Kill the Referee about Euro 2008 referees by Yves Hinant and Jean Libon. The Italian ref of the Argentina-Mexico game was one of the persons that they followed. I really should have watched that…

Unfortunately the use of video technology won’t guarantee correct decisions either. A few years ago a Swedish video referee accepted Finland’s goal against USA in ice hockey’s world championships although the puck went in from the wrong side of the post probably through a hole in the net.

Photo from Helsinki Cup 2008.

Love Triangle…

…from Helsinki zoo.

Typical Finnish Midsummer Day Memories…

…from the night between Thursday and Monday. The sun might be up 19 hours a day in Helsinki but the memories from the most important celebration of the year can still be a bit hazy for many.

Taken a few days ago with my camera that is currently being serviced. Although the loss of memory due to too much drinking is often called “filmi poikki” (a film that has been cut), this looks more like a case where the shutters don’t stay fully open.

It’s Midsummer Day’s Eve…

…and everybody is either drunk or passed out when Finns have left the cities to celebrate the highlight of the year. Read more from last year’s entry.

In Finland Midsummer’s day is always on Saturday near the summer solstice and the preceding Friday is a day off from work.

Photo from a performance by La Fiamma Di Danza that you have seen earlier.

I Had to Send My Camera to be Serviced…

…because it took far better photos than I ever could!

The problem doesn’t affect most photos so in a few days you are going to see the same subject in a more traditional way. Or do you already know what this is?

World Cup 2010 is So Last Season…

…when you can already enjoy World Cup 2011 qualifiers!

Finnish women have an excellent chance to qualify for the 2011 World Cup in Germany.

In practice the winner of today’s Finland-Italy match will win the group and qualify for the World Cup if they are also able to beat the winner of another European qualification group. In Italy the teams played a tie.

In the past two European Championships Finland has reached the semi-finals and the quarter finals.

Beware of Hedgehogs…

…in Käpylä.

Regular readers might remember a similar sign from neighbouring Kumpula.

The Sharpest Man…

…in town. Click the image to see it larger.

He is having a ride on the historical tram you saw some days ago.