The Men’s World Floorball Championships will be played in Tampere this December, bringing the sport into the spotlight across Finland. For Tampere native Nico Salo, the home championships carry special meaning—but there is still plenty of work to do before then.
We caught up with Salo in June after Finland’s first international match against Czech Republic at Kauppi Sports Center in Tampere. Finland won the opening practice match 5–1, while Czech Republic came back from a two-goal deficit to claim a 5–4 victory in the second game at Eerikkilä the following day.
– Tampere is my hometown, so of course it’s something really special. I want to be part of it, which means there’s a big summer of hard work ahead. We’ll keep working, and it was great to have these matches against Czech Republic as part of our preparations, Salo states.
The Finnish men’s national team gathered at Eerikkilä in June for a training camp ahead of the two international matches. The main focus was on developing the team’s game with the ball while also refining its defensive play.
– We’ve spent a lot of time working on our ball possession and the pace of our game so we can create more scoring opportunities and effective forechecking situations.
The team was able to put those improvements to the test immediately in two high-level international matches.
– It was great to play in Tampere in front of our home crowd. We put together a solid performance and stayed in control throughout the game.
Home Championships Are a Source of Motivation
For many athletes, competing at home brings added pressure. Salo sees it differently.
– Playing at home just adds even more excitement and enjoyment to December. It’s a fantastic opportunity to play in front of our own fans. For me, it’s only a positive.
The Tampere native is especially looking forward to the atmosphere the Finnish fans can create.
– I hope the whole country gets behind us so we can fill Hakametsä and Nokia Arena with an incredible atmosphere and real floorball excitement.
His expectations are based on personal experience. Salo still vividly remembers Finland’s home World Championships back 2010.
– The first thing that comes to mind is the 2010 home WFC in Helsinki. I was in the stands, the atmosphere was absolutely incredible, and Finland won the world title. It’s one of my strongest memories from my youth.
Fierce Competition for a Place in the Squad
Although the national team has gathered during the summer, the final WFC roster has not yet been announced. Salo knows that every training camp and every international match is also an opportunity to earn a place on the team.
– The competition is incredibly tough. We have so many talented players in Finland, including a couple of newcomers in this camp. At the same time, we’re all competing for places in the WFC squad, so the level is extremely high.
The experienced versatile player knows that even a long international career guarantees nothing when it comes to selection. That is exactly why the home championships in Tampere mean so much to him.
– I want to keep playing at the highest level even though I’m now over 30. And with the WFC being played in Tampere, it would be a really important milestone in my career to be part of that team.
If selected, the home tournament in Tampere will be Salo’s seventh appearance at the Men’s World Floorball Championships.
The Men’s World Floorball Championships will be played in Tampere, Finland, 5–13 December 2026.
Words: Milla Hämäläinen
Photos: Juha Hautakangas