LIVESTREAM Finland: Kuopio Steelers @ Helsinki Wolverines, Aug. 17, 16:30 CET (4:30 pm, 10:30 am EDT)

| American Football | 08/17/2023

In the second last game of the Finnish Maple League regular season. the Kuopio Steelers (5-5) head to Helsinki to take on the winless Helsinki Wolverines (0-10) in a must win situation for the Steelers.

Although the season is over for the host team, the Steelers find themselves in a pitched battle with the Wasa Royals and the Helsinki Roosters for the fourth and final playoff spot. Kuopio has won one and lost one to both of the playoff rivals so this race will go down to the wire and probably won’t be decided until the final games of the season.

In the only other game between the two teams this season, the Steelers were easy 45-0 winners.

Watch live. Kuopio Steelers @ Helsinki Wolverines, Aug. 17, 16:30 CET (4:30 pm, 10:30 am EDT)

The Steelers will be facing the worst offensive and defensive team in the league unfortunately as the Wolverines have given up an incredible average of 52.9 points a game while scoring just 6.6 per contest. Quarterback Rasmus Laalo has thrown for just 1,305 yards (130 per game) and five touchdowns in 10 games. And to add to the problems, for this game Laalo will be without the services of his leading pass catcher William Young for an undisclosed reason. He will have to rely on Kevin Adams (50 rec, 545 yds, 4 TDs) and Niko Kantonen (17/168/1). Running back Sebastian Lugora is averaging only 43.8 yards a game, however.

On defense, Helsinki will still be without the services of their leading tackler, Willy Lindfors, (52.5 tackles) so the rest of the crew will need to pick up the slack to have a chance today. Middle linebacker Alvin Reels will be tasked with the job of trying to corral Rowland helped by fellow linebackers Max Poikonen and Santtu Jääskeläinen.

For Kuopio, quarterback Ambro Urjansson, has been steady but not spectacular throwing for 2,014 and 21 touchdowns, completing only 47.7 percent of his passes. However, the Steelers added import wide receiver DeShon Williams (University of Washington) to the lineup last week, in time for the playoffs. Expect Urjansson and Williams to be working to build a chemistry in this game.

Defensively, the Steelers will have a full roster including national team defensive lineman Jonis Heikkinen who had been doubtful, but who is now on the depth chart. Kuopio boasts the top defense in the league against the run and that won’t change against a Wolverines team that only averages 40.8 yards a game.

Although on paper, this looks like an easy win for Kuopio, the Wolverines have nothing to lose. The Steelers coaches cannot let complacency enter the picture with so much on the line.

Watch live. Kuopio Steelers @ Helsinki Wolverines, Aug. 17, 16:30 CET (4:30 pm, 10:30 am EDT)

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