Miina Laukkanen will line up for Finland this weekend against Germany at the Myyrmäen Jalkapallostadion in Vantaa in the battle for the 2023/24 IFAF Women’s European Championships silver medal. IFAF asked the teenage WR/DB about following in her mother’s footsteps on the gridiron.
How did you start playing American football and how old were you? I started playing in Kouvola Indians when I was 8 years old when my mom played in the women’s team and I had been watching their practices and games and wanted to try by myself, but in the first year I didn’t play, I just trained with boys. And then I played with the boys’ team for about five years.
Your mother still plays football. Please tell us about her career. She started playing in 2012 with the Kouvola Indians (where I also started). She started off playing OL and DL and also later she played linebacker. Then we played our first season together in 2020 with the Lahti Panthers, where she also played running back. She played there in 2021 when I played with the Mikkeli Bouncers.
In 2022 we played again in the same team with the Kotka Eagles, and she continued playing in Kotka in 2023 when I moved to Tampere and played there. Now for 2024 we are together again with Tampere. Football has always been a hobby for her and just for having fun, so she hasn’t been in interested in making the National Team that much except one time when she participated in a National Teams tryout camp.
What is it like playing on the same team together? We have played two years on the same team and this summer is our third. Playing in the same team with my mom has changed our mother-daughter relationship and now we are closer and have of a like friendship, which is great.
How was your mother an inspiration for you? She has taught me to not give up and to chase my dreams even when it’s not easy. She has also made me play hard and work even harder.
As a DB/WR with the Tampere Saints which position do you prefer, offense or defense? I have been playing more offense in the past, but defense has become more my thing in the past couple of years.
What is the highlight so far for you playing football? My highlight so far is that I have won the U20 Finnish championship three years in a row and this spring we are fighting for the fourth one. Also, my biggest highlights have been when I was chosen as Rookie of the year 2021 in the women’s Maple League and was part of the All Stars team in 2023.
What experience do you have with the national team? Last year I went to technique camp organized by the national team. Then I got invited to a women’s nationals team tryout camp, where the coaches choose players for the team. I also got a message that because I’m too young I couldn’t be chosen last year, but I can come to the camp to have quality training with tough players. And this year when I’m turning 18, I had the opportunity to be chosen for the team.
Finland losing to Spain was a surprise and next you play Germany, a team that beat Great Britain, so how difficult do you expect the game to be? I think that the game is not going to be easy, but we have very tough and talented team with experienced coaches, so I think that it's going to be a tight game, but we really have a chance to win the game.
What are the strengths of the Finland team? Strengths of the team Finland are an aggressive defense and a skillful throwing offense with strong run plays.
Do you like the format with games spread across two years or would you prefer to play in a tournament at one venue? I think both sides have positives. When the games are spread across two years, teams have more time to prepare for the games and heal possible injuries, but in a tournament at one venue it’s a bigger event and the championship would be won faster.
What are your hopes for the Finland national team? My hopes are that every player plays hard and gives 110% for the team and other players. I also hope that the team will be strong, united and play as a team.
Photo: Tytti Martikainen.
