World championships 2011
15th and 16th July

The History of Swamp Soccer

The forefather of swamp soccer is known as Esa Romppainen, Vuokatti Ski Team's skier from Hyrynsalmi who wanted to intensify his summertime training using the swamp.

The notion of swamp soccer was brought up, and mad brainstorming ensued to consider the possibilities for the sport to become a success. The concept blew the council decision-makers off their feet, and the first competition was organised with a great deal of effort from volunteers in the summer of 1998. The very first Finnish Championships saw 13 teams participate.

There was soon an explosion in competition appeal, and already the following year saw four times as many teams competing in the tournament. The last competition of the millennium was the European Championships with 57 teams.

Swamp soccer has been played as a World Championship since 2000 and the number of participants has increased each year. Over the decade, 250 – 300 competition, novice, women’s and business series teams have become established with players from Finland, United Kingdom, Netherlands, Sweden, Russia, Scotland and Iceland.

Swamp visitors, including spectators, moving around the area during the event weekend total at best 30,000. This helps to create a unique atmosphere around the event that even fascinates those not interested in the sport.

Rules

The rules are a compilation of features and rules from a number of different games, but most important of all is to remember that the pitch is pretty wet and muddy throughout, so the referee will be on the pitch to ensure player safety.

Twenty pitches will be used on Friday and Saturday. The Competition Jury is entitled to independently move matches from one pitch to another. Pitch changes will be focused on Sunday in particular, which is when some of the pitches will be taken out of use - so please remember to check the pitch number! The size of the pitch is approximately 60 x 35 metres.

Team members of the Competition and Business divisions should wear the same kit. Humorous costumes are permitted for matches belonging to other divisions. Costumes that may cause harm to opponents are forbidden. It is not permitted to play without a kit. Football boots may not have metallic replaceable studs or similar spikes, and they may not be a hazard for other players. All jewellery and watches must be removed before playing. The referee will order rectifications of any deficiencies.

Teams shall make sure they are ready to play at the specified match time. An acceptable waiting time is set at a maximum of five minutes. Arriving late will forfeit the match. Each team needs to take into consideration the possibility of delays when travelling to the match.

Rules of the game:

Game time is 2 x 10 minutes - quickly changing ends. The group stage matches may end in a tie. Extra time is awarded to a maximum of 10 minutes with "golden goal" principle. If no result is achieved, a penalty shootout will be used, first with three different players, then with individual new players until victory.

The team comprises a goalkeeper and five (5) other players. There is no limit on the number of substitutions, but each team must have at least four (4) players on the pitch. In the mixed team divisions, a team must have at least two (2) female players on the pitch at a time.

Free, flying substitutions take place from the centre line of the pitch. The substitution has been done correctly if the player going to the bench has left the pitch before the new player steps on the pitch. The referee can issue a two (2) minute penalty for incorrect substitutions or award a free kick to the opposing team, to be taken from the centre line. Any goal scored by the penalised team will not nullify the penalty time.

The referee may issue a red card to any player who is seen as purposefully attempting to hurt another player. The referee therefore ensures safety, although some leaning is permitted, but all intended tackling of other players will receive a warning. Receiving two warnings during the same match will lead to a red card and the player will be sent off. Any sending off will result in a one (1) match ban.

  •   The distance of the wall made for any free kicks should be three (3) metres
  • The goal keeper may handle the ball to a maximum distance of approximately five (5) metres from the goal
  • Goals scored by the goalkeeper's goal kick will not be accepted
  • If the ball is passed back to the goalkeeper after the goalkeeper starts the game, the goalkeeper may not handle the ball before an opponent has had contact with the ball, or the ball has entered the attacking area
  • There are no offsides
  • Penalty shots, corner kicks and sideline kicks are performed using hand-held kicks
  • All free kicks, corner kicks and sideline kicks are indirect
  • No player may play in more than one team in the same division (borrowing players for another team during the tournament is strictly forbidden!). Playing in other divisions is allowed.
  • Placings are specified according to the competition rules: reciprocal match(es), goal difference, goals scored, draw
  • If a team concedes games played on Friday, any possible games played will be null and void, and the team will be removed from the series. In cases such as these, the team waives the possibility to participate in the following year's Snow Soccer and Swamp Soccer events.


Points distribution:

  • 3 points for a win
  • 1 point for a draw (a group series game may end in a tie)
  • no points for losing a match


If teams in the group series end with the same number of points, victory will be decided on the basis of:

  1. results of reciprocal matches
  2. goal difference
  3. goals scored
  4. draw

Any game that ends in a draw in the semi-finals will have ten minutes of extra time, using the golden goal principle, followed by a penalty shootout if necessary.

  1. three (3) shots per team
  2. if no result is achieved after three shots, sudden death will be used

Competition Jury

  • Competition Director Petteri Widemark
  • Jury Representative Risto Karjalainen
  • Organiser's Representative Tiina Ruotsalainen

Any protests should be submitted within fifteen (15) minutes of the game ending.
The referee's decisions may not be appealed.
The jury can make various decisions on a case-by-case basis or for sports related reasons.
The referee/jury is entitles to prevent a player or even an entire team from playing a match.

 

Swamp Soccer Middle Europe's Championships 2012 in Germany in May 2012

The official partner of Swam Soccer organisation, Zing-Event is organising Swamp Soccer's tournament in Germany 5.5.2012. For further information click here.