LIVESTREAM Finland: Porvoo Butchers @ Helsinki Wolverines July 31st, 15:30 CET, (3:30 pm, 9:30 am ET)

| American Football | 07/31/2022

The Helsinki Wolverines (5-3) host the Porvoo Butchers (3-4) in Helsinki in this crucial late-season Maple League matchup. These teams met just two weeks ago with the Wolverines winning a shootout 48-34. Porvoo is hoping to be able to defeat Helsinki to make a push at the postseason.

Porvoo Butchers @ Helsinki Wolverines July 31st, 15:30 CET, (3:30 pm, 9:30 am ET)

The Wolverines are coming off a disappointing loss to the Helsinki Roosters last week, as they fell 11-6 in a defensive struggle. In that game, quarterback Jabari Harris was sacked five times and held to under 80 yards passing. In fact, the entire Wolverines team was held to 61 yards of total offense by a swarming Roosters defense. Harris and playmakers RJ Long, former CFL Global Draft pick Sebastian Sagne, Martin Emos, Matias Tuominen, and William Young will need to play better to get the win today. The Wolverines offensive line has to improve as well if they are going to challenge the Steelers for the Maple Bowl.

Defensively, head coach Michael Mattingly will be keyed in on stopping the Crocodiles‘ run game featuring Seth Rowland and Brandon Gwinner. Defensive backs Eric Irvin, Curtis Slater, and Darius Lewis match up well with the Butchers receivers. In the trenches, the Wolverines defensive line features James Perrineau, Ville Valasti, Benjamin Egbudiwe, and Jonis Heikkinen, all should be able to make some plays today against the Butchers offensive line.

The Porvoo Butchers come into this week looking to pull off an upset and get back in the playoff hunt Quarterback Brandon Gwinner has been playing well this season. The dual-threat passer put on a show against the Wolverines two weeks ago racking up three touchdowns and 275 total yards. Expect him to get the ball to former Tennessee State running back Seth Rowland and Mikko Seppanen often.

Defensively, veteran Timi Nuikka, Anthony Figueroa, and the rest of the Butchers will have their hands full against a talented Helsinki offense. If the Butcher’s defensive line can create some havoc, they could pull off the upset and help their playoff positioning. Last time out they were torched by Helsinki giving up four second half touchdowns.

LIVESTREAM Finland: Porvoo Butchers @ Helsinki Wolverines July 31st, 15:30 CET, (3:30 pm, 9:30 am ET)

Alex is a former NCAA and semi-pro American football player who is now located in London, where he works in digital marketing. His goal in writing for AFI is to stay involved with the game that has given him so much. Alex enjoys covering leagues and