1980 – Poli, Espoo
1981 – Majs, Helsinki
1982 – Helsinki Roosters
1983 – Helsinki Roosters
1984 – Helsinki East City Giants
1985 – TAFT, Vantaa
1986 – Helsinki Roosters
1987 – Helsinki Roosters
1988 – Helsinki Roosters
1989 – Munkka Colts
1990 – Helsinki Roosters
1991 – Helsinki East City Giants
1992 – Helsinki East City Giants
1993 – Helsinki East City Giants
1994 – Helsinki East City Giants
1995 – Helsinki Roosters
1996 – Helsinki Roosters
1997 – Helsinki Roosters
1998 – Helsinki Roosters
1999 – Helsinki Roosters
2000 – Helsinki Roosters
2001 – Seinäjoki Crocodiles
2002 – Helsinki Roosters
2003 – Turku Trojans
2004 – Helsinki Roosters
2005 – Porvoo Butchers
2006 – Porvoo Butchers
2007 – Porvoo Butchers
1981 – Majs, Helsinki
1982 – Helsinki Roosters
1983 – Helsinki Roosters
1984 – Helsinki East City Giants
1985 – TAFT, Vantaa
1986 – Helsinki Roosters
1987 – Helsinki Roosters
1988 – Helsinki Roosters
1989 – Munkka Colts
1990 – Helsinki Roosters
1991 – Helsinki East City Giants
1992 – Helsinki East City Giants
1993 – Helsinki East City Giants
1994 – Helsinki East City Giants
1995 – Helsinki Roosters
1996 – Helsinki Roosters
1997 – Helsinki Roosters
1998 – Helsinki Roosters
1999 – Helsinki Roosters
2000 – Helsinki Roosters
2001 – Seinäjoki Crocodiles
2002 – Helsinki Roosters
2003 – Turku Trojans
2004 – Helsinki Roosters
2005 – Porvoo Butchers
2006 – Porvoo Butchers
2007 – Porvoo Butchers
The Vaahteraliiga "Maple League" is the highest level of American football in Finland played under the American
Football Association of Finland. There are also teams that compete in the 1st and 2nd divisions. In 2007 there are
plans to open 3rd division. The winner of the Vaahteraliiga is the Finnish champion. The season is played in
summer, with a schedule usually from May to September.
The first season of the Vaahteraliiga was played in 1980. The name Vaahteraliiga, "Maple League" comes from
the name of the championship trophy Vaahteramalja, "Maple Bowl", which is a gift from the embassy of Canada in
Finland.
The National Champion is determined in the Maple Bowl. The Finish elite has been the Helsinki Roosters with 13
National Championships as of 2008. The Finnish senior leagues have grown and has 25 teams playing in three
levels. Teams can move both up or down through promotion and relegation games. Currently 9 teams play in the
Maple League, 8 teams in 1-division and 6 teams in 2-division. Games are played with IFAF rules that are almost
the same as NCAA rules with few exceptions. Quarter length however is 12 minutes. Final and play-off games are
televised but the general interest towards football, though currently growing, remain moderate as top games
attract little over one thousand spectators. The leagues clubs are non-profit organizations and participating players
are not professional players. Club teams also participate in European Football League with top clubs teams
across Europe. Top players are also playing other European domestic leagues (Italy, Spain, Sweden and
Germany especially) and some have departed from youth teams to US universities for example offensive line
players Seppo Evwaraye (University of Nebraska) later with the Minnesota Vikings and defensive tackle Michael
Quarshie (University of Columbia) later with the Oakland Raiders. From senior teams top players have played in
former NFL-Europe league, where tight ends Klaus Alinen bounced to the Atlanta Falcons organization and Iiro
Luoto to the New York Jets.
Football Association of Finland. There are also teams that compete in the 1st and 2nd divisions. In 2007 there are
plans to open 3rd division. The winner of the Vaahteraliiga is the Finnish champion. The season is played in
summer, with a schedule usually from May to September.
The first season of the Vaahteraliiga was played in 1980. The name Vaahteraliiga, "Maple League" comes from
the name of the championship trophy Vaahteramalja, "Maple Bowl", which is a gift from the embassy of Canada in
Finland.
The National Champion is determined in the Maple Bowl. The Finish elite has been the Helsinki Roosters with 13
National Championships as of 2008. The Finnish senior leagues have grown and has 25 teams playing in three
levels. Teams can move both up or down through promotion and relegation games. Currently 9 teams play in the
Maple League, 8 teams in 1-division and 6 teams in 2-division. Games are played with IFAF rules that are almost
the same as NCAA rules with few exceptions. Quarter length however is 12 minutes. Final and play-off games are
televised but the general interest towards football, though currently growing, remain moderate as top games
attract little over one thousand spectators. The leagues clubs are non-profit organizations and participating players
are not professional players. Club teams also participate in European Football League with top clubs teams
across Europe. Top players are also playing other European domestic leagues (Italy, Spain, Sweden and
Germany especially) and some have departed from youth teams to US universities for example offensive line
players Seppo Evwaraye (University of Nebraska) later with the Minnesota Vikings and defensive tackle Michael
Quarshie (University of Columbia) later with the Oakland Raiders. From senior teams top players have played in
former NFL-Europe league, where tight ends Klaus Alinen bounced to the Atlanta Falcons organization and Iiro
Luoto to the New York Jets.
American Football Association of Finland – SAJL is the government approved non-
profit organization governing both American football and flag football activities in
Finland. Established in 1979 the Association has grown to 28 member clubs and over
1,200 licensed players. In 28 years SAJL National teams have taken 5 senior and 3
under-19 European Championships and one ladies flag football title in Euro Champs.
SAJL is the only national federation in Europe to participate in all 10 Senior European
Championships. As a member federation for both IFAF (International Federation of
American Football) and EFAF (European Federation of American Football) the SAJL is
actively participating in getting American football an IOC acceptance.
profit organization governing both American football and flag football activities in
Finland. Established in 1979 the Association has grown to 28 member clubs and over
1,200 licensed players. In 28 years SAJL National teams have taken 5 senior and 3
under-19 European Championships and one ladies flag football title in Euro Champs.
SAJL is the only national federation in Europe to participate in all 10 Senior European
Championships. As a member federation for both IFAF (International Federation of
American Football) and EFAF (European Federation of American Football) the SAJL is
actively participating in getting American football an IOC acceptance.
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| © 2008 World Sports Scouting is in association with Athletic Enterprises |
| World Sports Scouting |
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The Helsinki Roosters raise the Maple Bowl
Championship trophy. They have held it high
for a total of 14 terms.
Championship trophy. They have held it high
for a total of 14 terms.
| World Sports Scouting |
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