2014 PM

Denmark lose 35 – 10 to the physically stronger Team Finland

In the opening game of the under 19 Nordic Junior Championship, Denmark faced Finland on their home ground at Rønne stadium Nord on Bornholm. It was a tough game for the Danes, who despite an early lead in the game, found themselves constantly behind, and were eventually vanquished 35 – 10 to a physically bigger and stronger Finnish Team.

It was clear from the start of the tournament that the Danes are a team in development, whereas the Finns are at their peak. This was especially noticeable in the 2nd half, with the Finns being physically stronger than their Danish opponents.

The Finns were, from the outset, fired up and were ready to win; they bawled as they ran onto the field. Unlike the Danes who entered just before them, in a much more reserved manner.

Denmark first to get points on the board, with a pass from #4 QB Lukas Ravn to #83 Victor Staun Jensen for the initial touchdown, with #10 Peter Hobitz Juel converted the extra points giving Denmark a flying start with the score at 7-0. The subsequent kickoff return was returned by Finland’s #9 Jaska Värinen who ran all the way to the endzone. The extra points were secured with the score levelled at 7-7. The scoreboard didn’t remain at 7-7 for long, shortly into the 2nd quarter #9 Jaska Värinen once again scored a touchdown. Finland went for 2 points and #9 Jaska Värinen was again successful and Finland found themselves on the right end of the 15-7 scoreline.

After a high snap, which cleared the head of #9 QB Philip Linderberg the ball flew through the Danish endzone for a safety and an easy 2 points for Finland.

The teams went to the break with the scoreline at 17-7.

Denmark started the 3rd quarter brightly with #10 Hobitz Juel converting a field goal, after a Finnish fumble, which meant that Denmark reduced the score to 17-10, this though was the end of the Danish momentum. Not just once, but twice, again #9 Jaska Värinen scored successive touchdowns. Denmark did though prevent the Finnish from scoring a 2-point-conversion, leaving the score by the middle of the 4th quarter at 29-10.

With two touchdowns during the 2nd half of the game, the young Danish team lost their impetus, and could not thwart Finland’s #19 Karri in his attempt to score a final touchdown leading to the final score of 35-10 to Finland.

MVP for Denmark: Nikolaj Kjærgaard Stidsen

MVP for Finland: Jaska Värinen

Sweden win comfortably 19-0 over Finland

It was clear from the outset that Finland were tired from yesterday’s game against Denmark, and the Finns were unable to get points on the board against a strong Swedish team. Sweden go into the final game of the championship with a comfortable 19-0 victory over Finland under their belts.

For long periods of the game there was not too much between the two teams. It was though the strong Swedish defense that was the reason that Finland failed to get points on the board from numerous close drives. It was a good way into the 1st quarter, that Sweden showed their tenacity, on a punt return from Sweden’s #1 Daniel Gunnarsson who scored the first touchdown of the game after running all the way to the endzone. With the extra points being converted, Sweden were on their way.

After a long pass by QB #12 Jonathan Paul to WR #81 Gaston Gunnberg Querat all the way to the Finnish 5 yardline, Sweden’s RB #21 Max Bergström scored a touchdown giving a 13-0 half time lead to the Swedes.

During the 2nd half it was clear that the Finns were playing their 2nd game in as many days, and despite several strong runs by yesterday’s MVP for Finland RB #9 Jaska Värinen, the Finns couldn’t take advantage of the many chances they had on the Swede’s 1 yard line.

RB #20 Mardin Sarhangi scored the game’s final touchdown, giving a final score of 19-0 to Sweden.

The game’s MVP for Sweden: RB #20 Mardin Sarhangi

The game’s MVP for Finland: LB #43 Benjamin Ylipää