LIVESTREAM Finland: Women’s Semifinal – Helsinki Wolverines v. Turku Trojans, Aug. 22, 15:30 EEST (14:30 CET, 8:30 ET)

Women’s football in Finland is headed into the playoff stage Saturday, August 22 as the Helsinki Wolverines take on the Turku Trojans in the Maple League semifinals.

Finland’s Women’s Maple League featured only four teams for the shortened 2020 season, the Helsinki Wolverines, Tampere Saints, Turku Trojans and the West Coast Phoenix.

The Saints, Trojans and Wolverines all finished with 2-1 records with the West Coast Phoenix ending without a win.

In the three-game regular season, the Wolverines defeated Turku 14-0.

Helsinki has won three straight Finnish titles and the last time they did not was 2017. Surprisingly, the Wolverines lost to the Tampere Saints in the final round game leaving three teams tied with 2-1 records in the standings.  The Saints had the most away wins and  so finished first in the standings.

On today’s semifinal, both teams are packed with national teams players who helped Finland win the 2019 European Championships in Chelsea, England.  The Wolverines star player is running back Tytti Kuusinen who had been expected to play this season with Boston Rebels before the coronavirus pandemic. She has struggled on the field though this year with teams keying on her. She was held to a single touchdown during the regular season. However, rain is expected for the playoff game so her running abilities will be valuable for Helsinki.

For the Trojans,  quarterback Jonna Hakkarainen is the key and led Finland’s most effective offense averaging 165 yards a game during the season.

The Tampere Saints and West Coast Phoenix will square off in the other semi-final.

The Women’s Maple Bowl will be played September 5 and will be livestreamed.

Watch the semifinal here. Helsinki Wolverines v. Turku Trojans, Aug. 22, 15:30 EEST (14:30 CET, 8:30 ET)