14.7.2012
The teams include the US, Australia and the Iroquois Nationals
The Lacrosse U-19 World Championships in Turku
The Lacrosse U-19 World championships take place in Turku from 12 to 21 July. You can watch the championships at Urheilupuisto and Kupittaa, where 12 countries from around the world will compete. The game was developed by North America’s indigenous tribes and the continent remains the centre of the game and both the United States and Canada are here in Turku along with the Iroquois Nationals.
Finland will begin its fight for a medal on the opening day of the games against the Czech Republic. The home team is in a lower level group along with Germany, the Czechs and Wales.
"I am very happy with the composition of our team. Compared to earlier competitions we have a more experienced and skillful team. I know that lacrosse is still a young sport in Finland, but I hope that people will come and watch one of the world's fastest growing sports. The games will definitely be a great experience for the crowd," says the Risto Worthington, Finlands Head Coach.
Lacrosse was originally developed in North America among its indigenous peoples, and the sport has a special significance for native American tribes. So much so that an American Indian team is granted the right to compete at major international lacrosse competitions. The Iroquois Nationals team play their first match on Friday against England. The United States and Canada – the other powerhouses of the game – play each other on Saturday night.
The Iroquois team's participation was in danger because the Haudeosaunee passports the team travel on meant entry into Finland and their home continent was not assured. For that reason the team had to withdraw from the men’s World Championships in Manchester in 2010, when the team members could not be assured of free movement.
The opening and closing ceremony, and the majority of matches will be held on Urheilupuisto’s upper field. All other matches will be hosted at Kupittaa and they will be free to watch.
The Iroquois team's participation was in danger because the Haudeosaunee passports the team travel on meant entry into Finland and back to their home continent was not assured. For that reason the team had to withdraw from the men’s World Championships in Manchester in 2010, when the team members could not be assured of free movement. However, that problem has been overcome.
The opening and closing ceremony, and the majority of matches will be held on Urheilupuisto’s upper field. All other matches will be hosted at Kupittaa and they will be free to watch.
The fastest game on legsLacrosse is a ball game developed long ago by North American Indians and which is played by almost all native American tribes in North America. American Indians called the game "tewaraathon," which means the "little brother of war", because it was used to practice warfare. It is also a game of great religious significance to American Indians.
The game got its current name from the French Jesuit missionary Jean de Brébeuf. He refered to it in French as “la crosse” (the stick) after the type of stick the players use.
Lacrosse has been Canada's national game since 1859.
Lacrosse is played with two teams of 10 people, on a pitch roughly the size of a football field. Lacrosse is played with a stick that has a head that is roughly triangular in shape and has loose netting that can be used to carry the ball as well as catch, pass and shoot it.
There are three defenders, who use long sticks of approximately two meters in length; a three man midfield; and three attackers, who use sticks of about one metre in length. The goalkeeper has a stick with a larger head and net.
A lacrosse match consists of 4 periods lasting 20 minutes. Players are allowed to tackle players who do not have the ball. Players can also be suspended from play from 30 seconds to three minutes for foul play.
Well known lacrosse players include ice hockey greats such as Wayne Gretsky, Brendan Shanahan and Joe Sakic. |
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