Team Santa Claus

Last update 24 December, 2013 by Alberto Llopis

Lapland. The northernmost geographic region of Europe. The place where the sun does not set in summer and the place where the moon is always seen in the middle of winter. A hidden and wonderful conclave that extends across northern Norway, Sweden, Finland and northwestern Russia. Where the world seems to end, where igloos are the preferred habitats for those peculiar inhabitants called Lapps. And where too, the famous northern lights appear in the sky.

The place where Santa Claus was born, its most illustrious inhabitant, It is also a place to play soccer. And if approaching the city Rovaniemi is not enough, the administrative capital of Finnish Lapland. In this population of barely 35.000 inhabitants but with a large university and tourist movement, football is since 1992 an attraction for thousands of people. The reason?. Santa's team plays there.

Legend has it that Santa Claus and his helpers They were passionate about football, and when they weren't busy wrapping presents or feeding the reindeer, They played with a leather ball in the snow. This led to 1993, two clubs from the municipality will merge to create a group with great social significance, el FC Santa Claus.

Logically, The merger was made respecting the hallmarks of such an emblematic figure with the colors red and white in power.. Also with special distinctive touches such as photos everyone dressed as Santa Claus, training in the snow or preparing some surprises for rival teams.

Located in the Second Division of Finnish football, in 2010 He even had the opportunity to rise to the Finnish elite. He didn't do it, but maybe that was the least of it. The important thing, is that today, It is one of the most representative teams in the country and of course in the region, and it is also a source of work. Although the players on the squad are not professionals, It is estimated that the entity provides many jobs to thousands of people for the Christmas campaign, which usually brings together 500.000 tourists per year.