The Finnish U19 national American football team achieved a hard-fought victory against Poland on Saturday in the opening match of the age group European Championship series held in Myyrmäki, Vantaa. Finland rallied to a 16-13 (7-13) win with two touchdowns from Hermanni Raitanen.

The Finnish U19 national team started its European Championship campaign sluggishly. Poland, participating as a new team in the youth European Championship series, took a 0-13 lead in Saturday’s match before the Finnish youth woke up to fight for victory. The beginning of the match was a sorrowful chapter for the Finns due to numerous mistakes. In total, the Finns committed 12 penalties in the game, which allowed the opponent to benefit from a field position of 78 yards. The Poles were recorded with six penalties.

Hermanni Raitanen, who switched from basketball to American football, opened Finland’s scoring in the second quarter and secured the victory with a touchdown at the end of the final quarter. In addition to his two touchdowns, Raitanen accumulated a total of 137 receiving yards and 91 yards from return runs. Raitanen was named the most valuable player of the match.

Poland failed twice in field goal attempts

Finland’s defense played a good game, even though the opponent managed to jump to a 0-13 lead at the start. The only touchdown for the Poles came from a situation where Finland’s offense fumbled the ball on their own one-yard line. Poland’s kicker Maciej Ciurkot succeeded in two 40-yard field goal attempts but failed in the other two, the latter of which came with exactly two minutes left in the game.

The best player for the visiting team was running back Oliver Zarembski, who rushed for 91 yards and scored the team’s only TD.

Among the defenders, Luka Nuorivaara was the most aggressive with seven tackles. Roope Nieminen and Aapo Vainio were credited with 3.5 stops. Viljami Viitasaari managed to intercept the opponent’s pass once.

Finland entered the match as a clear favorite, but the Poles, playing their very first youth series game, came into the match with a physical approach that nearly led to a stunning upset.

Finland’s youth games continue at the end of September. Over the weekend of September 19-20, 2026, they will face Germany, who crushed Hungary in their Saturday game with a score of 79-6.

Check out: Game statistics

Photos: Jari Turunen