An eagle-owl in Helsinki for Finland's Independence Day

© Markus Varesvuo/Minden Picture

Feathered friend of the Finns. The owl that loved football

As the name indicates, you’ll find the Eurasian eagle-owl across Asia and Europe. The eagle-owl in our photo today lives near Helsinki, Finland. Why an eagle-owl on Finnish Independence Day? When Finland’s national football team were playing a European Championship qualifying match against Belgium in 2007, an eagle-owl flew onto the pitch, delaying the game for several minutes. Ever since, the Finnish team have been nicknamed ‘Huuhkajat’ – the eagle-owls. The owl, called ‘Bubi’, was later named ‘Helsinki Citizen of the Year’.