Finland: Historic Helsinki derby opens 2025 Maple League season
The Helsinki Velodrome will be the host venue for a pivotal clash on June 5 as the Helsinki Wolverines (0-0) face the newly promoted East City Giants (0-0) in the Finnish Maple League opener.
Marking the Giants’ return to the top tier after a 24-year absence, this intracity duel pits two teams predicted for lower-table finishes against each other, offering an immediate test of their early-season resolve.
Wolverines’ reinforced roster
The Wolverines, sixth-place finishers in 2024, enter the game with a reshaped roster bolstered by returnees from the Lohja Crusaders and strategic non-EU signings. Four American players are contracted, though immigration delays will likely sideline offensive lineman Bennie Anderson for the opener. Key additions include Joshua Youngblood, a dynamic NCAA Big 12 Special Teams Player of the Year (2019), positioned as a receiver. Veterans Alvin Reels Jr. (linebacker) and Tyran Dixon (defensive line), both U.S. imports, anchor the defense alongside domestic reinforcements. The Wolverines’ revamped lineup aims to leverage Youngblood’s versatility and Reels’ experience to counter the Giants’ energy.
Giants’ youthful ambition
The East City Giants, back in the Maple League after decades, rely on a roster steeped in junior league success. Retaining much of their Spaghetti Bowl-winning core, the Giants blend homegrown talent with three non-EU signings: quarterback Rayna Stewart III (German second-division experience), offensive lineman Jared Almeida, and defensive back Nolan Bernat (ex-Helsinki Roosters). Averaging the league’s youngest lineup, their energy and cohesion from years of development could disrupt more seasoned opponents. Stewart’s dual-threat capabilities and Bernat’s defensive leadership will challenge the Wolverines’ reshaped unit, while the Giants’ collective hunger to prove their top-flight credentials adds intrigue.
Kickoff details
The season opener kicks off on June 5 at Helsinki’s Käpylä Velodrome. With both teams eager to defy preseason predictions, the game promises a compelling start to the Giants’ top-flight resurgence and the Wolverines’ bid for redemption.
As Helsinki’s rivals collide, the Velodrome crowd will witness whether the Giants’ youthful exuberance or the Wolverines’ tactical adjustments prevail in this historic derby.
