Sweden capitalizes on Finnish mistakes to win the annual national team game

Sweden took 7-13 (7-10) win in the annual Finland - Sweden national team
game at Helsinki this Saturday. Sweden took the lead with a 25-yard field
goal by JENS ALNERVIK near the end of the first quarter. Finland answered
quickly with the only offensive touchdown of the day as MARKO VARTIAINEN
ran the ball into Swedish endzone from the 1-yard line. KARI HYTÖNEN
converted the point-after to put Finland 7-3 ahead. After the touchdown
Sweden did not get their offense running, but after a punt the Swedish
defense stepped in. TOMMI PADATSU fumbled the ball and FREDRIK FLYGHED
picked up the ball and scored with the 10-yard fumble return to put Sweden
up for good. ALNERVIK kicked in the point after to make it 7-10 half time
score.

In the 3rd quarter both teams exchanged possessions and ball moved back
and forth in the midfield as neither team gave the other team no chances
for scoring until ALNERVIK kicked in his second field goal. Sweden lead
7-13 after the 32-yard field goal. In the fourth quarter Sweden marched
closer and closer towards the Finnish end zone, but with KALLE KARPPINEN's
interception at the 9 yard line kept Finnish hopes alive. As Finland
offense was relentlessly pressured by the Swedish pass rush the drives
stopped time after time. But with 5.45 left in the game VARTIAINEN moved
the ball to Swedish 37-yard line with a strong run and the momentum seemed
to switch to Finland. Unfortunately VARTIAINEN went down at the same time
with a broken leg and 116 rushing yards for the day ending the Finnish
come back hopes. Finland had still one late possession with a minute left
in game, but Swedish defense ended the drive with a interception on the
first play.

Finland was plagued with mistakes as they turned the ball over 4 times
ending all those drives with less than 3 downs. As Sweden took better care
of the ball all day, they took win. For Sweden it was the second victory
against Finland, previous one coming from 1993. Finland leads the national
team game series 7-2. Teams will meet next year in the A-group European
Championships semifinals in Malmo, Sweden.

game stats: http://www42.gmx.net/de/cgi/derefer?TYPE=1&DEST=http%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Esajl%2Eorg%2Fimages%2Fliitetiedostot%2FFINSWE04%2EHTM