Finnish youngsters test their skills

Over 1,000 youngsters in Finland were given the chance to show off their skills as the Football Association of Finland (SPL-FBF) linked up with local clubs to organise events as part of the country's celebrations for UEFA Grassroots Day.

The activities, in Kouvola and Jyvaskyla, were part of the Nordea Ball Games, a series of eight events spread over the year at locations around Finland. The focus was various skills tests, including shooting, dribbling and football bowling, while there were also small-sided matches for the youngsters involved. Local football stars were on hand to offer advice amid festivities hosted by Finnish television stars, The Duudsons.

The event in Jyvaskyla was organised by local teams Jyväskylän Jalkapalloklubi and Jyväskylän Jalkapallokerho, while in Kouvola the Kaakko district FA were the principle organisers. Meanwhile, a busy week of activities for UEFA Grassroots Day in Finland also included three football festivals; in Hamina (involving 450 children), the Helsinki district of Vuosaari (150) and Koria (177).