Current silver medalists and five-time European champions Finland got the 2024/25 IFAF Men’s European Championship tournament off to a winning start with a 28-6 victory in the Czech Republic.
At Městský Stadion in Ústí nad Labem on Sunday, with 18-year-old quarterback Amos Feranec under center, the Czechs passed for more yards than their number two overall seeded visitors, but two interceptions returned for touchdowns proved their undoing.
After a scoreless first quarter, Finland’s Timi Nuikka returned a pick six and Anssi Ruohonen’s first of four successful extra points opened a 7-0 lead.
Finland quarterback Ambro Urjannson found Janne Särkelä over the middle to set up a spectacular diving grab by Verneri Rainio in the corner of the end zone for a 14-0 lead.
Photo: Jarmo Vehkomäk
A scrambling Urjannson then connected with Rainio on a 40-yard completion and with 41 seconds remaining in the half, before dropping a perfect pass in to the hands of Joel Särkelä in the end zone for a second passing touchdown and what looked like a 21-0 Finland halftime lead.
Feranec had other ideas and as time expired in the half, the composed passer was patient when flushed from the pocket, threw across his body, and put up a pass that Jakub Wolesky caught before stretching to breach the end zone for a 40-yard touchdown.
The 21-6 halftime score remained on the board until a heads up play by Finland’s Aatu Tuokko, who read a pass attempt and stepped in front of the intended receiver to race untouched for a 40-yard pick six and a 28-6 final score.
“A phenomenal match from the defense, it was decisive today,” said Finland head coach Mikko Koikkalainen. “The offense had a slightly slow start and minor errors throughout the match and this took points off the board. But overall, the game was under our control. Rene Rautainen made a great entrance to the national team. On defense, Timi Nuikka was everywhere.”