Finnish football supporters unveiled a large political banner directed at Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko during a goalless UEFA Nations League draw against Belarus at the Olympic Stadium in Helsinki on Tuesday afternoon.
The League C Group 1 encounter ended in a 0-0 stalemate, leaving Finland in second place in the group standings with four points after two matches, while Belarus sits third with a single point.
The elaborate banner, created in blue and yellow colors to signal solidarity with Ukraine as it defends itself against ongoing Russian military attacks, featured a graphic illustration of an owl attacking a cockroach bearing the face of Lukashenko.
According to Ukrainian sports outlet Sport.ua, the Finnish fans staged the display to deliver a hostile reception to Belarusian representatives in the capital, citing the country's role as an accomplice to Russia in the war. The report highlighted that the owl depicted on the poster resembled the emblem used by HUR, the Main Directorate of Intelligence of the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine.
Ukrainian flags were displayed beneath the main installation, which carried a written message declaring that his day would come, with the words explicitly targeted at Lukashenko.
Nations League standings and upcoming fixtures
The UEFA Nations League serves as a biennial international tournament for European national teams, with League C representing the competition's third tier. Helsinki Olympic Stadium, Finland's largest sports venue, hosted the international match as both teams look to secure promotion to League B.
Lukashenko has held power in Belarus since 1994 and has faced widespread international criticism for his government's alignment with Moscow, allowing Belarusian territory to be used by Russian forces during the ongoing invasion of Ukraine.
Both teams return to Nations League action on 3 October. Finland will host Albania at home in a 3:00 pm kick-off, while Belarus is scheduled to play at home against San Marino at 6:00 pm.
