Villikortti

Villikortti is a Finnish term that translates to "wild card" and is commonly used in the context of sports. It refers to a special entry or invitation granted to a participant in a competition, typically one who has not qualified through the usual means. This could be an athlete who did not meet the standard entry requirements but is deemed worthy of participation by the organizers, or a team that receives an automatic spot despite not winning a qualifying tournament.

The purpose of a villikortti is often to increase the appeal of a competition by including popular athletes or teams, to provide opportunities for developing talent, or to ensure representation from different regions or countries. The criteria for awarding a villikortti can vary significantly depending on the sport and the specific event. It is a flexible mechanism that allows organizers to curate the field of participants beyond strict qualification rules. In some cases, the term might also be used more generally to describe an unexpected or unconventional entry into any kind of contest or situation.