Veikka Lehtonen will rise to the top of the international game statistics on Tuesday
The Finnish men’s national American football team will face Germany in Krefeld on Tuesday evening in the European Championship final against the defending champion Austria. The captain of the team in lion jerseys, Veikka Lehtonen, will wear the Finnish jersey for the 31st time – more than anyone before him.
The Finnish men’s national team prepared for Tuesday’s final in Düsseldorf, the host city, with walk-through practices on Sunday. The defense captain Veikka Lehtonen was present at the practice, having represented Finland in the national team 30 times, including yesterday’s game against Italy. The European Championship final on Tuesday will be the 31st international match for the 41-year-old linebacker, who started his American football career in Tampere, making him the player with the most international matches in American football history in Finland.
Before the Krefeld Final Four tournament, Lehtonen shared the second place in the statistics with Aarno Sjöblom with 29 national team games. The Italy game elevated him to share the top spot with Santtu Äyräväinen, and on Tuesday, Lehtonen will rise alone to the top of the historical statistics.
In response to the traditional ”how does it feel” question, Lehtonen says:
-I haven’t really thought about that before. I do remember thinking about Aarno’s and Santtu’s incredible number of national team games, and I never really dared to dream that I would get to wear the Finland jersey that many times myself. I have great respect for these gentlemen, and both have been role models and guides for me in my national team career! Thanks to them and a big thank you also to all the players and national team organizations with whom I have had the privilege to represent Finland! So, I would say that I feel very humble and grateful for this achievement.
Lehtonen mentions that his first European Championship games in 2010 at the previous tournament held in Germany have stayed vividly in his memory, but he also has good memories from other tournaments:
-I must mention the home tournament in 2018. At that time, many significant milestones in my life and as a national team player came together. The most important ones include the birth of my first child just a couple of weeks before the tournament began and Finland’s return to the medal standings in front of a home crowd!
So what motivates a player in his forties to return to the field year after year in a position where taking and giving hard contact is inevitable on every snap?
-The Finnish national team and international games. I can’t think of anything as wonderful as representing Finland in tough international matches alongside great teammates, not to forget the coaching staff and all the other amazing members of our organization who do selfless work to ensure that players can focus on playing. One could say that it’s almost the other way around, as representing Finland has motivated me to continue playing all these years!
Over the years, Lehtonen has been asked several times how long he believes his playing career will continue. The answer has mostly been the same each time:
-Good question. Next question. 🙂
In Saturday’s victorious game against Italy, the youngest of Lehtonen’s football-playing brothers, Tuukka, made headlines by scoring Finland’s only touchdown in heavy rain. However, the captain praises the entire lion team equally for their resilience against a strong Italy:
–It was an incredibly great semifinal game — a close and tough battle that ended with our victory as a result of hard work. It was amazing to see how everyone did their utmost for the win, and no one refused to back down at any point. We will go into the final with the same attitude! Go Finland!
Probably a long-lasting record
The 31 international match record that Lehtonen achieved on Tuesday is likely to be long-lasting or even eternal. During the national team history of American football that began in 1983, Finland has accumulated a total of 78 official international matches. At the current pace, two matches are added to the total each year. The next active player on the list behind Lehtonen in terms of international matches is the team’s kicker Akseli Olin, who has 21 games after Saturday.
Closing the nine-match gap between Lehtonen and Olin will require five seasons of international matches at the current pace – assuming that Lehtonen does not accumulate any more after Krefeld. However, based on the man’s statements, this is by no means a settled matter.
International matches played before Tuesday’s Austria game
- 30 international matches, Santtu Äyräväinen, Veikka Lehtonen
- 29 international matches, Aarno Sjöblom
- 27 international matches, Petrus Penkki
- 25 international matches, Pasi Lautala
- 21 international matches, Kalle da Silva, Akseli Olin
- 20 international matches, six players
Finland will face Austria in the European Championship final on Tuesday, October 28, 2025. The battle for the championship, starting at 20:00, will be broadcast live on Ruudussa.
Photos: Jarmo Vehkomäki, Jari Turunen
