Poland’s debut at the IFAF Under 19s level was a stunner and almost produced an upset for the ages as they narrowly lost 16-13 away to Finland in Group C.

A potential game-tying field goal attempt inside the two-minute warning had the distance from 40 yards but flew agonizingly wide left as the hosts breathed a sigh of relief.

Competing in the IFAF U19 European Championships for the first time, Poland made an instant impression in the first game of the 2026/27 cycle. They shocked a Finland team that has won the bronze medal at the past two tournaments and is a three-time winner by taking a 13-0 first quarter lead and stayed out in front 13-7 at halftime.

It took two touchdown passes from quarterback Aleksi Peltokangas to MVP Hermanni Raitanen, both on long yardage situations, for Finland to seal victory. Peltokangas completed 14 of 25 pass attempts for 251 yards with a pair of touchdowns and interceptions, while Raitanen caught 3 balls for 137 yards and those 2 touchdowns.

Poland kicker Maciej Ciurkot scored his nation’s historic first points in IFAF U19 action with an impressive 44-yard field goal then team MVP Oliver Zarembski, who rushed for 98 yards on the day, ran over left tackle from a yard out near the end of the first quarter to open a 10-0 lead. Ciurkot tagged on the extra point and then extended the advantage to 13-0 from 37 yards out.

Finland critically put points on the board before halftime on a third and 20 play. Peltokangas threw deep down the middle to Raitanen and he raced clear from the 50-yard mark for a spectacular 82-yard touchdown.

Four turnovers hurt Poland, and it was a third quarter safety that gave Finland two important points, and they trailed 13-9 going into the final period at the MUP-Stadion in Vantaa.

The decisive score that hauled Finland back from the brink of defeat was a Peltokangas connection with Raitanen for 49 yards on third and long for a touchdown.