"When I was a kid, I remember playing hockey outside and whenever you did, you thought about playing for Finland vs. Sweden. That's just the way it was"

This quote by Teemu Selanne speaks to the deep-rooted rivalry in between Finland as well as Sweden. As a youngster, Selanne keeps in mind playing hockey outside and also envisioning that he was playing for Finland against Sweden. This talks to the solid sense of national pride and identification that exists between the two nations. It also speaks with the strong competitive spirit that exists between them, as hockey is a preferred sporting activity in both countries. The quote additionally talks with the relevance of sports in the lives of individuals in both nations, as it was a means for them to express their nationwide pride as well as identity. It likewise speaks to the solid sense of community that exists between both countries, as they were able to come together and also share a common interest for the sporting activity.