The Finnish national team is beginning to take shape for the IFAF Women’s World Championship.
Finland’s women’s national team is deep in preparation for women’s full contact American football’s premier event.
In March, the Finnish American football f]Federation (SAJL) hosted a camp to begin the selection of the team. The camp drew nearly 90 players and head coach Mika Eloranta was pleased with what he saw in the women.
In August of 2015, the Finnish women’s team won the Women’s European Championship topping Great Britain 50-12 in Granada, Spain. The Finns are surely among the favorites going into this summer’s IFAF Women’s World Championship.
“The level of the Finnish women is good and there is plenty of material to choose from the players to the next camp,” Eloranta comments. “Although the European Championship team players is a strong side, new players have emerged.”
The next selection camp will be held May 13-14. Eloranta estimates the final cuts will be difficult. Sixty-two atheletes are vying for 45 rosters spots on Team Finland.
The IFAF Women’s World Championship will be played from June 22 to July 1, in Langley, Canada. Finland is the reigning European champion and has won the bronze medal at the last two World Championships.
The summer’s World Championshps include the reigning champion Canada, the United States, Australia, Mexico, and the United Kingdom.
Finnish women’s national team’s World Cup preparation schedule:
May 13-14, 2017: Round II qualification
June 17-21, 2017: to 45 preparatory camp
June 22 to July 1: IFAF Women’s World Championships in Langley, Canada
Finland Qualifying players to the camp:
Quarterbacks: |
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| Hakkarainen | Jonna | Helsinki Wolverines |
| Kosonen | Pia | Hyvinkää Falcons |
| Pelkonen | Jenni | Hämeenlinna Huskies |
Running backs: |
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| Kilpeläinen | Jenni | Helsinki Wolverines |
| Kuusinen | Tytti | Seinajoki Crocodiles |
| Linden | Jenni | Helsinki Roosters |
| Pulkkinen | Laura | Kuopio Steelers |
| Rasilahti | Anne | Helsinki Roosters |
| Suninen | Satu | Kouvola Indians |
| Turpeinen | Maija | Helsinki Roosters |
Receivers: |
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| Järn | Emmi | Helsinki Wolverines |
| Kuosmanen | Sari | Helsinki Roosters |
| Maunula | Jessi | Hämeenlinna Huskies |
| Nirhamo | Kirsti | Helsinki Wolverines |
| Olavuo | Nana | Helsinki Roosters |
| Seiles | Janna-Jemima | Helsinki Roosters |
| Seppälä | Sanni | Helsinki Wolverines |
| Välimäki | Janica | Helsinki Roosters |
Offensive line: |
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| Hurme | Minttu | Helsinki Wolverines |
| Hästbacka | Sara | Oulu Northern Lights |
| Kamula | Kaija | Oulu Northern Lights |
| Koskenniemi | Riikka | Helsinki Roosters |
| Kumpulainen | Noora | Jyväskylä Jaguars |
| Lehtonen | Sara | Seinajoki Crocodiles |
| Leppäaho | Eeva | Seinajoki Crocodiles |
| Mäntyniemi | Suvi | Turku Trojans |
| Peltonen | Annukka | Helsinki Roosters |
| Saarenpää | Anna-Kaisa | Helsinki Wolverines |
| Stjernberg | Henrika | Helsinki Roosters |
| Tykkyläinen | Satu | Joensuu Wolves |
Defensive line: |
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| Abbas Mamode | Milena | Tampere Saints |
| Chichaeva | Julija | Mikkeli Bouncers |
| Kallio | Riikka | Helsinki Roosters |
| Lehen | Janina | Helsinki Wolverines |
| Pekkarinen | Laura | Mikkeli Bouncers |
| Rahkonen | Hilkka | Helsinki Roosters |
| Ristimäki | Jenni | Helsinki Wolverines |
| Saarinen | Katrina | Turku Trojans |
| Seppälä | Elina | Helsinki Wolverines |
| Vaara | Nelli | Helsinki Roosters |
| Ziemann | Merle | Helsinki Roosters |
Linebackers: |
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| Carlson | Kaisa | Tampere Saints |
| Kemppi | Emilia | Mikkeli Bouncers |
| Kero | Elina | Helsinki Wolverines |
| Kosonen | Matilda | Porvoo Butchers |
| Moisanen | Minna | Oulu Northern Lights |
| Möttönen | Tiina | Porvoo Butchers |
| Rohkimainen | Mia | Helsinki Wolverines |
| Roiha | Satu | Oulu Northern Lights |
| Turunen | Julia | Helsinki Roosters |
Defensive backs: |
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| Byman | Saga | Helsinki Roosters |
| Bäckman | Anette | Helsinki Wolverines |
| Juntunen | Anna-Reetta | Oulu Northern Lights |
| Laajapuro | Evi | Kuopio Steelers |
| Mäkinen | Terhi | Turku Trojans |
| Nikander | Janika | Helsinki Wolverines |
| Pudas | Johanna | Helsinki Wolverines |
| Raipela | Marfa | Tampere Saints |
| Rantanen | Heta | Helsinki Wolverines |
| Tuovinen | Jonna | Jyväskylä Jaguars |
| Tähkänen | Iina | Tampere Saint |
Coaches:
Head coach/offensive line: Mika Eloranta
Offensive coordinator: Petteri Salovalta
Defensive coordinator/linebackers: Toni Luomajoki
Quarterbacks: Teemu Kuusisto
Running backs: Mikko Rissanen
Defensive line: Heikki Kuusela
Defensive backs: Mikko Soininen
Special teams and scouting: Samu Juppo
Manager: Petra Eloranta