LIVESTREAM: Finland – Tampere Saints @Helsinki Roosters, Thurs. July 18, 6:30p (5:30p CEDT, 11:30a EDT)

| American Football | 07/18/2019

The 5-1 Helsinki Roosters will play host to the last place (1-5) Tampere Saints as Thursday Night Football continues in Finland’s Maple League, Thursday, July 14.

The Roosters seem to have regained the form that won them their seventh Finnish title in a row last year.

After the Roosters dropped their opening game of the season, losing 57-41 to the Kuopio Steelers, they have reeled off four in a row. Last week they beat the Porvoo Butchers 66-34 and the week before they dumped the previously unbeaten Helsinki Woverines 42-13.  They had downed the Wasa Royals 28-7, Seinäjoki Crocodiles 29-21 and the Butchers 53-20.

Roosters running back Karri Pajarinen leads the league in rushing averaging 137.2 yards a game in the five games he has played. He has rushed for 686 yards on 97 carries and so is averaging 7.1 yards a carry. In the game against the Wolverines, he rushed for 223 yards while in the first game against the  Butchers, he ran for 200 yards and a touchdown. Quarterback Miro Kadmiry is now the leading passer in the Maple League having thrown for 1,833 yards and a league-best 30 touchdowns in the six games. Last week, in the  win over the Butchers, he threwfor 496 yards and seven touchdowns.

The Saints finally picked up a win last week, edging the Wasa Royals 6-0. This came after Tampere had dropped five in a row, losing to the Butchers 27-14, Wasa Royals, 47-32, Kuopio Steelers 34-0, Helsinki Wolverines 66-27 and their opening game of the year, 20-7 to the Seinäjoki Crocodiles.

Tampere quarterback Raymond Cotton has played in three games, taking over from  Tuscani Figaro (Nichols State) who started the first two. Cotton has thrown for 417 yards in three games but only threw for 90 in the win over the Royals. Muncie roberts WR/DB from Belahaven will be a big target today and CJ Okpalobi will always be a threat in all phases.

This could be a long night for Tampere but last week’s win could give them some momentum.

Watch the game live here. Tampere Saints @Helsinki Roosters, Thurs. July 18, 6:30p (5:30p CEDT, 11:30a EDT)

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