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| Established | 1979 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Based in | Helsinki, Finland | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Home stadium | Helsinki Velodrome | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Head coach |  Juha Hakala | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| League | Vaahteraliiga | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| League titles | 22 Vaahteraliiga titles 1 Eurobowl title 1 Champions League title | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Current uniform | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Helsinki Roosters is an American football team based in Helsinki, Finland established in 1979. The team plays in the Vaahteraliiga Maple League in Finland and their home field is the Helsinki Velodrome.
Roosters were founded in 1979 and the club is a founding member of the American Football Association of Finland (SAJL). The team has played in every season of the Vaahteraliiga and has only been left out of the playoffs twice. The Roosters have won the regular season 11 times and have gone the whole season unbeaten for five times (in 1983, 1988, 1999, 2002 and 2013). [1] The Roosters have friendly rivalry with local Helsinki Wolverines and Helsinki 69ers.
Roosters have also been successful in international competitions. In 1988 they won the Eurobowl II in London, where the Roosters beat Amsterdam Crusaders 35–14. In 1989 Roosters came third-placed. In 1994, Roosters took part in the Football League of Europe. Roosters participated in the European Club Championship European Football League in 1996, 1997, 1998 and 1999. Roosters tour yearly to play international friendlies and were the first Finnish team ever to play in United States in 1985. [2]
Roosters won the first IFAF Europe Champions League in 2014. They beat Vukovi Beograd 36–29 in the final, held in Elancourt, France. [3] [4]
Robert Johnson League MVP from Texas Tech. Sonté Wong (WR) Tuomas Kivisaari Iiro Luoto Roope Noronen Petrus Penkki Michael Quarshie Josh Hollingsworth Matias Sarvela 
Brad Tayles Mike Kane Running back for Roosters- 1988 Eurobowl Champions Tim Johnson (American football coach) Import player in mid to late 1980's Jaycen Spears (RB) League MVP. Purdue University Scooter Molander QB 1997-1998 Brandon Connette QB from Duke University.The Roosters men's first team plays in Vaahteraliiga, the top American football league in Finland. Roosters also have 5 boys' youth teams: U20, U17, U15, U13 and U9.
Rooster Ladies, the women's first team plays in Finnish championship series, the highest tier of American football for women in Finland. The women's team played semi-contact football before, but from 2008 onwards they have played 9-vs-9 full contact football. Roosters have one girls' youth team: U20. [5]
Kenneth W. Meyer was an American football coach at the high school, collegiate and professional levels. He may be best remembered as the head coach of the National Football League (NFL)'s San Francisco 49ers in 1977, and winning two college national championships at Alabama coaching under Bear Bryant. He was a head coach in Finland's top league Vaahteraliiga and for the Finland national American football team.
The Amsterdam Crusaders are an American Football club from Amsterdam, Netherlands founded in 1984. Together with the Rotterdam Trojans and Alphen Eagles, the Amsterdam Crusaders are the oldest surviving Dutch American Football club.
The Vaahteraliiga founded in 1980 is the highest level of American football in Finland played under American Football Association of Finland. The winner of the Vaahteraliiga is the Finnish champion. The Vaahteraliiga season is played in summer, with a schedule usually from May to September.
American Football Association of Finland is the national governing body of American football in Finland. It was founded in 1979 and it is a founding member of the European Federation of American Football, EFAF and International Federation of American Football, IFAF. Since 2000, American football has grown steadily. In 2006 there were 27 clubs playing the sport with over 100 teams and over 1400 players. In 2012, the association's competitions fielded over 150 teams with more than 2200 licensed players.
Seinäjoki Crocodiles are an American football team from Seinäjoki, Finland. The team plays in the Finnish Maple League and it has also played in the European Football League. The Crocodiles are one of the top teams in Finland and Europe.
Turku Trojans is one of the oldest American football teams in Finland, established in 1982. Turku Trojans in 2024 play in Division 2. The Trojans previously have played in the Maple League Vaahteraliiga in Finland operated by American Football Association of Finland. Finnish champions in 2003. Maple Bowl championship game appearances in 1984, 1987, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1998, 1999, 2002, 2004 and 2014. Third place in 1991, 1997, 2000 and 2001. After the 2012 season the Trojans decided to voluntarily drop one level down and play the next season in 1st division. In 2013, the Trojans won all the regular season games, the semifinal game and the Spaghetti Bowl. After a perfect season the Trojans was granted a Maple League Vaahteraliiga license and this season (2014) the team will play again in the highest level. Former Trojans head coach in 1993-94 Ken Meyer is the most accomplished Trojans alumni having coached many years in the NFL and top college level in USA before coming to Finland. Meyer also led the Finland national American football team to win the European championship in the 1990's.
Tampere Saints is an American football club in the city of Tampere, Finland. Its men's senior team currently play in SAJL second highest league 1st division.
Helsinki Velodrome is an outdoor velodrome, American football and field hockey stadium in Helsinki, Finland. The protected functionalist concrete building was designed by Hilding Ekelund.
The Austrian Football League (AFL) is the highest level of American football in Austria founded in 1982. The AFL has always been considered among the best and strongest leagues in Europe. The league plays by rules based on those of the NCAA.
Helsinki Wolverines is a Finnish American football club based in Helsinki and was founded in 1995. The clubs Top Men's Team plays in the Vaahteraliiga of the American Football Association of Finland which is the highest ranking level of American football in all of Finland. The league in Finland was established in 1980.
The 2013 Vaahteraliiga season was the 34th season of the highest level of American football in Finland. The regular season took place between May 19 and August 18, 2013. The Finnish champion was determined in the playoffs and at the championship game Vaahteramalja XXXIV the Helsinki Roosters won the Helsinki Wolverines.
The 2012 Vaahteraliiga season was the 33rd season of the highest level of American football in Finland. The regular season took place between May 26 and August 13, 2012. The Finnish champion was determined in the playoffs and at the championship game Vaahteramalja XXXIII the Helsinki Roosters won the Helsinki Wolverines.
Matt Bassuener is a former American football quarterback. He was signed by the Louisville Fire as an undrafted free agent in 2008. He played college football at Georgetown University. He has played professionally in the Vaahteraliiga Finland, for the Seinäjoki Crocodiles and in Sweden Superserien for the Uppsala 86ers. Bassuener was part of the U.S. National Team that won the 2011 IFAF World Championship.
Robert Johnson is an American football player, notable for his professional career in the Finnish league Vaahteraliiga. Johnson played his college career at Texas Tech and he signed overseas Finland in 2007 as he wasn't drafted to NFL. He is currently an assistant coach for the United Newland Crusaders in Finland. Johnson has also played in the Italian Football League.
The Helsinki 69ers are an American football club from Helsinki, Finland. The club was formed in 1991, and its men's first team is currently playing in the third highest level league of American football in Finland.
Andrew "Scooter" Molander is a former American football quarterback who played three seasons in the Vaahteraliiga in Finland for the Helsinki Roosters and Espoo Colts. Molander played four seasons in the Arena Football League (AFL) with the Charlotte Rage, Las Vegas Sting and Anaheim Piranhas. He first enrolled at Phoenix College before transferring to Colorado State University. He attended Corona del Sol High School in Tempe, Arizona. Molander was also an off season and practice squad member of the Cleveland Browns, Kansas City Chiefs, New York Giants, and New York/New Jersey Knights.
The IFAF Europe Champions League was a European Cup-inspired tournament for European Gridiron teams affiliated to IFAF Europe. It has been held annually between 2014 and 2016.
The 2018 Vaahteraliiga season was the 39th season of the highest level of American football in Finland. The regular season took place between May 10 and September 9, 2018. The Finnish champion was determined in the playoffs, and at the championship game Vaahteramalja XXXIX the Helsinki Roosters won a league record seventh consecutive championship, this time against the Kuopio Steelers.
Kuopio Steelers are an American football team originally from Varkaus, Finland in years 1991-2005, and since 2006 from Kuopio, Finland. The team plays in the Finnish Maple League and it has also played in the European Football League. The club's home field is Väinölänniemi Stadium in the Väinölänniemi district.
