The Carlstad Crusaders, eight-time Swedish champions, will stage the second annual Scandic Bowl on May 9, 2020 when they play host to the defending Finnish champions, the Helsinki Roosters at Tingvalla IP field in Karlstad, Sweden.
In this past year’s inaugural Scandic Bowl, Carlstad dropped a 31-14 decision to the Berlin Rebels.
This year, the Roosters, winners of 20 Finnish titles, will make the trip to Karlstad. The last time these two teams met was in the Northern European Football League title game in 2017, when Helsinki came away with a thrilling 21-15 overtime win.
Billy BD Kennedy, head coach of the Carlstad Crusaders:
“Getting the chance to face the Helsinki Roosters again is something we really look forward to. The club has a very strong organization and the men’s team is one of the best teams in Europe. This is a fantastic opportunity for us to measure ourselves against a top international team.”
The Crusaders reached the Swedish final in 2019, losing to the Stockholm Mean Machines. Helsinki won the Finnish crown this past season and also defeated both the Copenhagen Towers and Mean Machines in international play.
A year ago, the Roosters also defeated the Dacia Vienna Vikings in in the Charity Bowl in Austria.
Helsinki Roosters head coach Juha Hakala:
“We look forward to traveling to Karlstad and Tingvalla to face Crusaders on their home turf. We have met each other in several tough games over the years. The Crusaders is a well-coached team and play very physical football and we are confident that they will do everything possible to defend their home ground.”