Source: http://ift.tt/2dNj2L1 --- Wednesday, October 12, 2016
Maple League action between the Wasa Royals and the Helsinki Roosters (photo courtesy of Samppa Toivonen, Wasa Royals) When it comes to American Football in Scandinavia, one would be hard-pressed to find a country with a more successful, storied past than Finland. Dating back to the formation of the American Football Association of Finland (SAJL) in 1979, the sport has experienced significant growth year after year, especially in the last two decades. In the beginning, Football was brought to Finland in the mid 1970’s through high school exchange students who experienced the sport during their time in the United States. By 1976, the first high school game was played in Finland, catalyzing the formation of the SAJL three years later. Today the SAJL is home to 37 member clubs , which consist of over 2,800 players in both men’s and women’s leagues across multiple age levels. The Finnish league contains five senior divisions for men and two for women, along with five youth divisions and various flag Football leagues. In addition to the SAJL, Finland has been a pioneer for international play throughout its history and fields some of the world’s most decorated national teams. In 1983, the Finnish men’s squad was one of the participants in the first-ever European Championship of American Football, held in Italy . They have returned to each of the following 13 tournaments, winning five times and placing second on four other occasions. Th ...
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