Tonight and tomorrow the Swedish championship is organized in snowball war in Luleå – where the participants are fighting for a place for the European Championships in Finland.
Students and companies meet on the ice in Luleå’s southern harbor with up to 270 snowballs per match.
– You get a proper thigh cake if you meet, but it’s worth it to one hundred percent, says participant Joel Tjäder.
The 20 teams have prepared carefully for the competitions. The goal is to meet as many opponents as possible or conquer their flag.
– I would hardly call them snowballs, they are rather iceballs when they are well done, says Joel Tjäder.
The sport originated in Japan, where it is called the yukigassen. SM in snowball war is organized by prospective mechanical engineers at Luleå University of Technology.
– It is a fun thing for the students mainly, so that they can join in and do something other than just sit and plug maybe, says organizer Alica Gabrielsson.
“It’s more of a play”
The name “snowball war” may feel controversial in view of war in the world, but the organizers see it as an innocent game.
– It’s more of a game. You have done snowball war since you were little, I think, says Alica Gabrielsson.
The final will be held on Saturday, and the winning team will receive a ticket to the European Championships in Finland. Last year it became bronze for the Swedish team.