PRESS RELEASE
SAJL - FINLAND

SAJL 25-years - FINLAND VS SWEDEN game to start celebrations

Senior National team of Finland will meet Sweden Saturday 2nd of October
at the Helsinki Velodrome. Last year Finland beat Sweden 20-7 (7-0) with
the help of strong kicking game and tough defense. The game will also give
some perspective to next summers A-group European Championships as the two
teams will meet in the semifinals. Finland leads the series 7-1. Kick-off
is scheduled for 1pm. Game will be televised on Finnish Urheilukanava on
Saturday 2.10. from 6pm to 9pm.

Team Finland held its preparation camp last weekend at the Pajulahti
sports center and named the 45-player playing squad for Saturday. Head
coach TUOMAS HEIKKINEN was happy after the camp: "On offense we have very
good set of the best players without more than normal number of injuries.
On the defense though we are missing some players in few positions who
have contributed in the national team in previous years. Overall I believe
that even with the short preparation time, we can field a team that plays
good on Saturday.

The game is also SAJL-FINLAND's 25th anniversary game. In the evening SAJL
will host a gala dinner where this years best players and all-star will be
awarded. Also the SAJL will announce the Hall of Fame of Finnish American
Football and the opening class of 2004.


FINLAND-SWEDEN game history (year, venue, winner, score winner first
2003 Helsinki FINLAND 20-7
1998 Helsinki FINLAND 23-3
1997 Tukholma FINLAND 7-6
1996 Helsinki FINLAND 17-16
1995 Tukholma FINLAND 30-7
1994 Helsinki FINLAND 14-0
1993 Tukholma SWEDEN 22-20
1992 Helsinki FINLAND 37-7
(information does not include games played in other tournaments)


TEAM FINLAND
QB's: (3)
Lyyra Mikko Jyväskylä Jaguaarit
Nieminen Jarkko Porvoo Butchers
Penkki Petrus Helsinki Roosters

WR's: (6)
Kivisaari Tuomas Helsinki Roosters
Kurvinen Ville Porvoo Butchers
Myöhänen Henri Helsinki Roosters
Piminäinen Pekka Turku Trojans
Rissanen Marko Seinäjoki Crocodiles
Stockus Christer Helsinki Roosters

RB's: (6)
Leskinen Aku-Matti Jyväskylä Jaguaarit
Löllö Teemu Seinäjoki Crocodiles
Padatsu Tommi Porvoo Butchers
Repo Sami GS Demons Helsinki
Stenroos Antti Jyväskylä Jaguaarit
Vartiainen Marko Helsinki Roosters

OL: (8)
Hölkki Jyri Lappeenranta Rajaritarit
Lehtola Tony Helsinki Roosters
Luoto Iiro Helsinki Roosters
Martikka Antti Helsinki Roosters
Moilanen Sami Seinäjoki Crocodiles
Suhonen Esa Lappeenranta Rajaritarit
Tarvainen Ville Helsinki Roosters
Vartiainen Tero Helsinki Roosters

DL: (8)
Javanainen Jussi Seinäjoki Crocodiles
Landen Reo Jyväskylä Jaguaarit
Lautala Pertti Helsinki Roosters
Luoma Marko Porvoo Butchers
Mattson Lauri Seinäjoki Crocodiles
Puromäki Henri Helsinki Roosters
Rinne Aki Helsinki Roosters
Sillgren Sami Pori Bears

LB's: (6)
Da Silva Kalle Lappeenranta Rajaritarit
Evwaraye Efe Helsinki Roosters
Koivisto Arttu Turku Trojans
Lindqvist Jussi Jyväskylä Jaguaarit
Lottonen Matti Porvoo Butchers
Sjöblom Aarno Helsinki Roosters

DB's: (7)
Jatala Olli Helsinki Roosters
Lehtonen Janne Helsinki Roosters
Karppinen Kalle Helsinki Roosters
Mahkonen Simo Porvoo Butchers
Riionheimo Miikka Turku Trojans
Sainio Jarno Helsinki Roosters
Östman Thomas Helsinki Roosters

K: (1)
Hytönen Kari Helsinki Roosters

Coaching
Head coach and offence coordinator: Tuomas Heikkinen
QB's and WR's: Kim Wikström
RB's: Heikki Halttunen
OL: Jarmo Lahti
Defense coordinator and DB's: Kari Titola
LB's: Harri Pystynen
DL: Arttu Suokas
Special teams: Vesa Peltola

Staff:
Team doctor: Peter Åström
Physiotherapy: Mikael Allenius
Trainer: Sami Ranta
Trainer: Sini-Maria Heikkinen
Trainer: Putte Partanen
Trainer: Joni Nyholm

Team Managers:
General Manager: Roope Noronen
Team Manager: Morad Maher
Team Manager; Mikko Vento

For more information:
SAJL Roope Noronen +358-40-732 1469 or roope.noronen@sajl.org