PREVIEW: IFAF Europe Champions League; Helsinki Roosters Host Copenhagen Towers
The Helsinki Roosters will their start 2015 season on Saturday May 2nd at 3p local time as hosts of a IFAF Europe Champions League first round match against the back-to-back Danish champion Copenhagen Towers at the Helsinki Velodrome in Helsinki, Finland.
The Towers suffered a 34-9 loss on April 18th in the first round of games in IFAF Europe Champions League game at the hands of the Carlstad Crusaders.
The Towers American running back B.J. Lee had many touches and the team rotated Danish quarterbacks Kasper Skyum Jensen and Christian Lisby. Their main target was tall WR Lasse Tor.
On defense, the Towers defensive line was very active with different stunts and LB Philip Hargett led the side in tackles.
The Roosters have loaded up with imports, American and European, as they prepare to defend their 2014 IFAF Europe Champions League title.
Helsinki Roosters head coach Juha Hakala commented the upcoming season opener game.
“Our defense will have to play good assignment football and control the line of scrimmage. We also have to have good pursuit and sure tackling on Towers fast running back B.J. Lee. Also when Towers choose to pass our defensive backs have to keep plays in front of them and make big stops when needed. It will also be exciting to see all our new defensive players in action. From last years defense we only have two starters left, so I expect great things from DL Ville Valasti, LB Dustin Illetschko, DBs Niko Kuikka, Ville Rontu and Austrian Benjamin Bubik who all will get their first starts as Roosters.”
The Roosters offense will be run by new QB Josh Hollingsworth.
RB B.J. Lee, photo by Michael Quist
Coach Hakala on his offense:
“Our offensive line has to help out as much as possible in creating enough time for passing and good running lanes for running backs. Josh has been doing a great job in practice and our offense is looking more crisp by every practice, so I’m excited to see him finally in full action. Our wide receiver group has a new talented player Antti Miettinen who will also be interesting to follow.”
You can follow the game via Live Stats.
