Fotboll i Finland på Svenska: Berättelser från början av 1900-talet

This article presents how printed media introduced, referred to and used football at the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century in Finland. The sources focus on popular press in Swedish that have existed in Finland since the 1820s. The presence of a strong Swedish-speaking minority, access to Scandinavian cultural influeces and historical connections to Sweden made it possible for new sport ideas to travel to Finland. As presented in the text, early football material includes anecdotes about female football teams, local patriotism and emotional engagement. A new and exciting game from England was popularized by the press, and used to highlight different societal issues. Early football in Finland was an exciting mix of social positions and engagements.