Well, here's something that you don't see every day; an owl that insisted on watching a soccer game by flying between the two goals. The commentary is not in English, and the video is somewhat pixelated, but there are a few good shots of this bird when it perched on the goal posts. Can you identify the species, dear readers? [5:56]
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Hmm. At first I thought it was a great horned owl, but they seem to be speaking some European language... so I'd guess it's an eurasian eagle owl?
Yes, a Eurasian Eagle Owl does seem to be the consensus for the visitor of this game in Finland...
Yes, Eurasian Eagle Owl, Bubo bubo, and as from behavior, very easily one used to people's presence (this species is popular amongst falconers). Cool way to draw attention to owls, no doubt! Way to go, owl :D
...said Sova (which means "owl" in Serbian)
Ah, the details are in English in Hessari. The Olympic stadium is in central Helsinki, but there is quite a bit of parkland around it (OK, this is Helsinki so there is parkland or woodland near most places).
What is odd is that I didn't recognise the owl, but I did recognise the referee.
Bob
yes, my ID was also a eurasian eagle owl -- thanks to having seen them before on the harry potter films!
Native finn here. It is Bubo bubo as you have figured out. That particular bird is called "Bubi" and he/she has been living in the stadium for a while, but has vanished after that appearance during game.
Follow-up link:
http://www.hs.fi/english/article/Bubi+the+eagle+owl+has+not+returned+to…