Published: 31 October, 2008, 02:52
Edited: 31 October, 2008, 02:52
Russian hockey is expanding into Europe as the KHL holds two games in Finland. Both games have attracted huge interest among local fans.
League president Aleksandr Medvedev says the KHL’s American counterpart, the NHL, “usually opens the season in Europe, so it's a very good idea for the KHL to hold a game in a neighbouring country.”
Hockey-mad Finland has been chosen to host the games in a bid to promote the Russian league abroad.
“I was told those games attracted massive local interest. So we'll continue holding KHL matches in Finland, Sweden and other neighbouring countries,” Medvedev said.
It looks like the plan is working. Former stars of the rink, along with fans, are delighted with the spectacle on the Finnish ice.
The move could also be a big step towards adding more European clubs to the KHL roster in the near future.
The Finns seem to be bitten by the bug already. So it seems like exhibitions of this sort will become more and more common.