The board of the Finnish American Football Association has selected Mikko Koikkalainen to lead the men’s national American football team in the European Championships 2026–27. Koikkalainen has previously led the Finnish men to the European Championship final twice in a row and continues now as the head coach of Europe’s most successful American football national team.

Under Mikko Koikkalainen’s leadership, Finland has achieved two consecutive European Championship silver medals (2023, 2025). He was named the SAJL Coach of the Year in 2019 and the Youth Coach of the Year in 2016. At the club level, Koikkalainen has coached in Helsinki’s Roosters and 69ers, winning one championship as head coach of Roosters (2019), two as offensive coordinator, and three in various assistant coaching roles. Additionally, his trophy cabinet includes numerous medals from youth leagues in different coaching roles for Roosters’ junior teams.

Koikkalainen shares his feelings about the continuation of his term:

-I am incredibly happy to continue as the head coach of the national team. This position has been the greatest honor of my career, and it is wonderful to keep working. We have experienced great successes in recent years, and we will continue with the same goals moving forward. Thank you to the association for the trust and, above all, thank you to all the players, to whom the greatest credit for our success belongs.

SAJL’s chairman Roope Noronen commented on the selection and Koikkalainen’s significance:

-Mikko Koikkalainen has demonstrated strong expertise and commitment to the development of Finnish American football. His experience and vision are key as we build a successful national team for upcoming championships, and we are confident that under his leadership, the team will continue its upward development.

According to the SAJL’s operating rules, the positions of national team head coaches are temporary, and now that the terms are ending, the positions are opened for public applications. The position of head coach for the men’s national team was opened for applications at the beginning of November.

Photos: Jari Turunen, Jarmo Vehkomäki