Turku Trojans Explained

Turku Trojans[1] is one of the oldest American football teams in Finland, established in 1982. Turku Trojans in 2024 play in Division 2 (Tier 3). The Trojans previously have played in the Maple League Vaahteraliiga (highest level) in Finland operated by American Football Association of Finland.[2] Finnish champions in 2003. Maple Bowl championship game appearances in 1984, 1987, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1998, 1999, 2002, 2004 and 2014. Third place in 1991, 1997, 2000 and 2001. After the 2012 season the Trojans decided to voluntarily drop one level down and play the next season in 1st division (2nd tier league below Maple League). In 2013, the Trojans won all the regular season games, the semifinal game and the Spaghetti Bowl. After a perfect season the Trojans was granted a Maple League Vaahteraliiga license and this season (2014) the team will play again in the highest level. Former Trojans head coach in 1993-94 Ken Meyer is the most accomplished Trojans alumni having coached many years in the NFL and top college level in USA before coming to Finland. Meyer also led the Finland national American football team to win the European championship in the 1990's.

Lineup

Roster 2014

-taulukon määrite->Quarterbacks
  • 4 Teemu Thorström
  • 12 Jonathan West - USA
Runningbacks
  • 1 Jocques Crawford - USA
  • 26 Mikael Koho
  • 29 Tuomas Tuominen
  • 44 Samuli Alppiranta
Offensive line
  • 60 Tobias Pirttikangas
  • 62 Kamran Osman
  • 63 Heikki Nevalainen
  • 64 Tuomas Tammero
  • 65 Mikko Saksi
  • 66 Emil Vänskä
  • 67 Mikael Lindroos
  • 69 Jani Nurmi
  • 75 Tuomas Valtonen
  • 79 Karri Kuuttila


Wide receivers
  • 5 Joonas Andersson
  • 7 Rodney Brown Jr. - USA
  • 8 Ville Vene
  • 9 Samu Laakso
  • 11 Aappo Saloranta
  • 13 Miko Plihtari
  • 17 Markus Häkli
  • 80 Juuso Mäkinen
  • 81 Kim Madsen
  • 82 Juha Yli-Arvela
  • 84 Tuomas Mankki
  • 85 Martti Kass
  • 88 Valtteri Varjokivi
  • 89 Kimmo Pajunen
Defensive line
  • 50 Jouni Revo
  • 52 Joni Kotro
  • 55 Juha Pennanen
  • 68 Jussi Jalonen
  • 71 Rikhard Helenius
  • 72 Kalle Koivisto
  • 76 Juho Jäntti
  • 90 Aleksi Vuorinen
  • 94 Mika Laine
Defensive backs
  • 2 Jani Karvinen
  • 21 Ville-Valtteri Suojanen
  • 22 Arto Ahtola
  • 23 Kalle Kilickesen
  • 24 Mikael Reponen
  • 27 Jaakko Tirkkonen
  • 28 Iisakki Ullakonoja
  • 34 Miko Ylikoski
  • 35 Matti Partanen
  • 47 Seikko Vennelä
  • 48 Severi Salo


Linebackers
  • 3 Ilkka Koiranen
  • 10 Sami Toivonen
  • 14 Antonio Harris - USA
  • 32 Janne Nevalainen
  • 38 Joonas Raatikainen
  • 40 Ilya Redin
  • 53 Antero Kivinen
Kickers
  • 85 Martti Kass

External links

Notes and References

  1. http://www.turkutrojans.com/news_in_english/ Turku Trojans – English section
  2. http://www.sajl.org SAJL ry – Suomen Amerikkalaisen Jalkapallon Liitto