This weekend is the Division 1 Championship in Finland, called the Spagettimalja or “Spaghetti Bowl”. The winner of this game will be given the opportunity to play in the Maple League next season. This year the Helsinki Wolverines and Kuopio Steelers will be playing in the championship game. These two teams have been the favorites all season and look forward to proving who is the best on Saturday. The Helsinki Wolverines are confident they can come out on top this weekend, so let’s see what they have to say about their chances.

*Full disclosure: I currently play for the Helsinki Wolverines, but this article does not contain any of my personal opinions about the two teams or individual players involved.

ANTONIO HARRIS – LINEBACKER

The past is history, but 69 points is something that haunts a defense. How do you guys plan to prevent a repeat situation in Kuopio this weekend?

We can’t miss a lot of tackles. We have to execute our game plan and make adjustments when needed.

The Wolverines defense is much different than the last time you guys played the Steelers in Kuopio. What changes have you made that will give you a better chance to stop the high-powered defense led by Seth Peters?

Our defensive line have been doing a great job getting pressure on the quarterback. We signed two defensive back imports that can help us in the secondary. Since the signings our Finnish defensive backs have improved as well.

You are the leading tackler in the 1st Division this season, and the heart of the Wolverines defense. What do you have to do individually in this game to help make your team as successful as they can be?

Wolverines on three….1..2..3 WOLVERINES!!

MARCUS SIISKONEN – RECEIVER

Cedric Johnson and Vincent Pervis are two key players for the Wolverines offense, but you, Marcus Siiskonen, in terms of catches, yards, and touchdowns are the best receiver on the team! What will be a key factor to making sure you are able to produce for your team in this matchup?

The key factor will be to play our own game as we have done this far, we need to stick to the game plan and execute it. I need to be secure and catch every ball that is thrown to me.

The Steelers have a lot of talent on the defensive side of the ball, and boast one of the best defensive units in the league. Who are some of the key defenders your offense must account for when attacking the Kuopio Steelers?

The Steelers imports are talented, and we need to be aware of them. Justin Bell can be dangerous on every play. Also, the whole Steelers defensive squad plays hard and tough football, and they seldom make mistakes.

This is your second straight year playing in the Spagettimalja, as well as a lot of your teammates. Does this experience give you an edge of the Steelers players who are most likely playing in the biggest game of their careers?

Hard to tell, we have learned our lesson from last year, and from the last time that we were in Kuopio. Maybe some of us are less nervous than last year. Last year we did drop easy passes and made simple mistakes. As I said earlier, Kuopio seldom makes mistakes.

GAME INFORMATION

The Spagettimalja is Saturday, September 2, in Kuopio, between the Helsinki Wolverines and Kuopio Steelers. Kickoff will be at the Väinölänniemi Stadium at 16:00 UTC+3. Good luck to both teams.