LIVESTREAM IFAF European Qualifier: Finland @Czech Republic, October 16, 13:00 CET (1 PM, 7:00 ET)

| American Football | 10/16/2022

Finland makes the trip to the Czech Republic to take on a formidable opponent in this IFAF European qualifier.

Finland is fresh off a 60-13 beatdown of Denmark at home. Now they look to make it two in a row and keep the momentum the program has been building.

On the other side, this is the first action for the Czechs since they lost to Serbia 16-0 in 2019.

LIVESTREAM IFAF European Qualifier: Finland @Czech Republic, October 16, 13:00 CET (1 PM, 7:00 ET)

Young Finnish quarterback Ambro Urransson put on a show in his first start for the national team last week. The 20-year-old was 21-32 for 404 yards and six touchdowns as Finland blew out Denmark 60-13.  Urransson showed poise and accuracy making great decisions as Finland’s offense looked crisp putting up 673 yards on the day. At receiver, European League of Football championship game MVP Kimi Linnainma and veterans Micky Kyei and Mikko Seppanen give the young quarterback plenty of options to target.

The young dual-threat quarterback will be joined in the backfield by young Nico Barrow and veterans Tuuka Lehtonen and Tom Suoste. Offensive linemen Tony Koskinen and Aki Aho along with bruising fullback Asko Mantymaki should open holes in the run game.

Defensively, Finland’s strength is up front as Christer Berg, Ville Valasti, and Jonis Heikkinen look to win their battles at the line of scrimmage against a physical Czech offensive line. Linebackers Saidou Jallow and Helsinki Roosters star Taavi Aronpaa hope to contain a talented Danish backfield. Defensive back Elmeri Laalo led the team with 5.5 tackles last week as Finland allowed only five rushing yards to Demark in a swarming and dominant defensive effort.

The Czech coaching staff will look to choose between quarterbacks Pavel Mráz and Michal Stoklásek who both have experience in the national team but similar resumes. Upfront, the Czech’s have a physical offensive line featuring Michal Knotek, Jan Rauš, and the Kysilková brothers. Rauš should know the opponents well after playing last season for Finnish champion Kuopio Steelers.

At running back, it is expected that Jakob Březina, Ladislav Jenšík, and Petr Plaček will rotate. On the outside, receivers Petr Cermak and Vojtech Masita will try to give this run heavy offense a second dimension in the passing game.

The defense of the Czech team will, as in the past, consist primarily of Prague Black Panthers players. Karel Augusta will line up at defense end, in front of veteran linebacker Tomáš Svoboda. Veteran national team players such as Filip Ondrášek, Jan Kabát or Jakub Smutný, and Jan Krs should give this Czech team a good chance to contain an explosive Finnish offense.

LIVESTREAM IFAF European Qualifier: Finland @Czech Republic, October 16, 13:00 CET (1 PM, 7:00 ET)

Alex is a former NCAA and semi-pro American football player who is now located in London, where he works in digital marketing. His goal in writing for AFI is to stay involved with the game that has given him so much. Alex enjoys covering leagues and