Joy and focus at Heden when the tournament got going

IF Helsinge Atlas is the only Finnish team in the tournament, and they represent their country with style.

On Tuesday, the Partille Cup kicked off for real. Unlike yesterday's playful mini-handball tournament, today there was a sense of competitive focus over Heden. However, despite the seriousness, the joy was still obvious around the playing fields, as seen in the Finnish team IF Helsinge Atlas in the B15 class.

When the Finns faced the Danish team FIF Håndbold, blue and white flags fluttered along the entire Finnish section of the sideline. On the field, the players fought in blue custom camouflage jerseys with the Partille Cup logo printed over the right shoulder.
– We wanted to make the trip extra special, more remarkable. That's why we travel in unified colors and with Finnish flags. We are here as representatives, says the team's coach Jonathan Juslin.

IF Helsinge Atlas has crossed the Baltic Sea as the only Finnish team in the tournament, apart from the Finnish national team playing in the European Open Championship.
– Handball is a relatively marginal sport in Finland. Traveling here and facing the biggest and best clubs in the world is therefore very valuable to us, Juslin continues.

Moreover, the Finns are enjoying the Partille Cup as a holistic experience.
– This is a fantastic event. So far, we've had a great time, and the atmosphere is absolutely fantastic, concludes Juslin before the Finnish representatives' flag parade moves on through the bustling Heden area.