Finland Chase Sixth Consecutive Win over Great Britain

Finland’s men’s national American football team will open their IFAF European Championship campaign against Great Britain at home in Myyrmäki, Vantaa, on Saturday, 24 October. The winner will advance directly to the medal games in summer 2027.

Great Britain are familiar opponents for Finland. The teams have met eight times, with Finland currently on a five-game winning streak in the series. All previous meetings have taken place at European Championships, and Finland lead the series 6–2.

Great Britain’s victories came in 1989 and 1991, when they ended Finland’s hopes of gold in two consecutive European Championship finals. In Hamburg in 1989, Great Britain won the final 26–0. Two years later, Finland lost 14–3 in front of 11,000 spectators at Helsinki’s Olympic Stadium.

Since 1997, Finland have dominated the series. Semifinal victories in Bolzano in 1997 and Helsinki in 2000 paved the way for European titles. In 2005, Finland defeated Great Britain in the bronze medal game in Malmö, and a win in 2010 secured Finland’s place in the European Championship’s top division.

Eight years have passed since the teams last met. In the opening game of the 2018 European Championships in Vantaa, Finland’s strong running game and solid defence powered the hosts to a 28–7 victory. It has now been 35 years since Finland last lost to Great Britain, one of the dominant nations in the early years of European American football.

Finland’s last defeat to Great Britain came in the 1991 European Championship final in front of a record crowd (Photo: SAJL archives).
The teams’ last meeting in 2018 ended in a 28–7 victory for Finland in Myyrmäki (Photo: Jari Turunen).


Men’s National Team Set for 80th Official International

The European Championship game in Myyrmäki will be Finland’s 80th official men’s international. Europe’s most successful men’s national team have won 48 of their 79 games. Finland lead the European Championship medal table with five golds, six silvers and four bronzes.

Sweden are Finland’s most frequent opponents, with 31 meetings. The game in Myyrmäki will bring Great Britain level with France as Finland’s second most frequent opponents, with nine meetings each.

Read also: History of the IFAF Men’s Tackle European Championships

Cheer Finland on to the Medal Games

Finland’s clash with Great Britain will bring the domestic American football season to a close. A place in next summer’s European Championship medal games is at stake in Myyrmäki.

Join us and cheer Finland on to victory! Tickets are now available at Lippu.fi.

Buy tickets: Lippu.fi