Finland’s ice hockey gold medal celebrations spared Helsinki’s Havis Amanda statue

Protective plywood shielding placed around Helsinki’s iconic Havis Amanda statue ahead of Finland’s ice hockey world championship victory celebrations proved effective, sports organizer Laura Raitio told Yle’s Jälkihiessä morning program on Monday.

The statue, a frequent target of damage during past hockey celebrations, remained unharmed as crowds gathered at Market Square to mark Finland’s overtime gold medal win. Authorities briefly restricted access to the area due to the sheer number of revelers.

Raitio contrasted Helsinki’s relatively orderly festivities with the “considerable chaos” seen in Paris after Champions League matches, where French police deployed in large numbers. “Helsinki handled it better, in my view,” she said.

She also noted the growing competitiveness in international ice hockey, highlighting Norway’s unexpected bronze medal—defeating Canada—despite the country’s far smaller player base compared to traditional hockey nations. “I never in a million years believed Norway would win,” Raitio admitted.

Three of the four medal-winning teams—Canada, Switzerland, and Norway—will also compete in the upcoming FIFA World Cup, which begins June 11. Finland did not qualify.