Finland and Italy face each other at the Myyrmäki football stadium in Vantaa on Saturday, September 21, aiming to keep pace with France in Group A of the 2024/25 IFAF U19 European Championships.
Finland sees action for the first time, while Italy hopes to bounce back after they lost 32-21 to France back in May having led 21-16.
A defeat will eliminate Italy from the opportunity to qualify for next year’s three-team round robin tournament that will crown the European champion. A Finland win will set up a winner takes all meeting with France and the chance to join Austria and either Germany or Sweden from Group B. Austria qualified as reigning champions and in June won the bronze medal at the IFAF U20 World Junior Championships in Canada by beating the United States in the third-place playoff game.
Italy has never beaten the Finnish national team in junior European competition and will be hard pressed today despite a strong showing against Team France.