Finland narrowly escapes upset by Poland in U19 European Championship opener

In a nail-biting finish, the Finland U19 national football team secured a hard-fought 16-13 victory over the Poland U19 team in their opening game of the 2026 IFAF U19 European Championships, played in Myyrmäki, Vantaa. Despite a valiant effort from the debuting Polish squad, Finland’s experience ultimately prevailed in a game that kept fans on the edge of their seats.

Poland’s impressive start
Poland made a stunning entrance into the tournament, taking an early 13-0 lead in the first quarter. Kicker Maciej Ciurkot made history by scoring Poland’s first-ever points in IFAF U19 action with a remarkable 44-yard field goal. Shortly after, team MVP Oliver Zarembski powered through for a one-yard touchdown run, extending the lead to 10-0. Ciurkot added another field goal from 37 yards, putting Poland ahead 13-0 and leaving the Finnish crowd in shock.

Finland fights back
Finland, however, was not about to back down. With time running out in the first half, quarterback Aleksi Peltokangas connected with MVP Hermanni Raitanen on a spectacular 82-yard touchdown pass, narrowing the gap to 13-7. Raitanen, who switched from basketball to football, finished the game with two touchdowns and 137 receiving yards, earning him the MVP honors. This crucial score shifted the momentum in favor of the hosts, who entered halftime with renewed energy.

Turning the tide
The second half saw Finland continue to apply pressure. A critical safety in the third quarter brought the score to 13-9, setting the stage for a dramatic final period. Finland’s defense tightened, forcing Poland into mistakes that would ultimately prove costly. The Polish team struggled with four turnovers throughout the game, including two missed field goal attempts by Ciurkot, which hampered their chances of maintaining their lead.

Decisive moments
The game turned decisively in Finland’s favor when Peltokangas found Raitanen again, this time for a 49-yard touchdown on a crucial third-and-long play. This score not only gave Finland the lead at 16-13 but also showcased the chemistry between the quarterback and his star receiver. As Poland attempted a game-tying field goal in the closing moments, the kick from 40 yards fell agonizingly wide left, sealing Finland’s victory.

With this win, Finland begins their campaign on a high note, while Poland leaves the field with their heads held high after a commendable performance in their first U19 championship game.