Tuomas Kivisaari is the head coach for Finland’s teams who will open the IFAF European Youth Flag Football Championships in Innsbruck on Thursday.

Kivisaari played American football for 17 years in Finland, representing the Helsinki Roosters before coaching junior teams for six years, winning the national championship every season. In the last four years of that stretch, his team went undefeated.

He began coaching flag football in early 2023, when Finland made its debut at the IFAF Youth European Championships in Grosseto, Italy.

Kivisaari answered three questions about the tournament and highlighted a few players to watch when the games are streamed live on IFAF.TV.

How excited are you and your team about playing in Austria?

“We’re extremely excited. Flag football is still a relatively new sport in Finland, so most of our youth national team players come from other athletic backgrounds. Our roster includes basketball players, handballers, footballers, soccer players, and track and field athletes. Our goal has been to recruit the best possible athletes, teach them the fundamentals of flag football, and execute every down with precision. We’re eager to see how we match up against the top teams from other countries.”

What are the strengths of your team and who are some of the players we should watch out for?

“Our U17 Girls are a highly competitive team. Last year’s bronze medal was a major achievement, and the core of that team remains intact. We’re entering the tournament with strong momentum and high expectations. The team’s biggest strength is its overall defensive play. Key players to watch include CB #1 Pinja Paalasvuo, last year’s “interception queen” with nine picks, and talented QB #17 Saara Rämö—both originally basketball players.

“Our U17 Boys are in a challenger position. Last year, mental mistakes cost us, so this season we’ve focused on discipline and execution on every down. I expect our offense to move the ball effectively with a versatile playbook. Standout players include speedy QB #10 Ville Kivisaari, who can stretch the field, agile CB #89 Xolani Vehviläinen, and dynamic WR #11 Hermanni Raitanen, a true all-around athlete.

“Our U15 Mixed Team is the dark horse of the tournament. They’re athletic, and their defense is solid. If they start strong and build early momentum, they have the potential to go far. Watch out for WR #47 Sebastian Lindén and the towering presence in the defensive backfield, CB #43 Matias Forsman.”

How important is participating in this tournament to the continued development of flag football as the sport heads to the Olympics?

“It’s extremely important. Finland has launched its own Olympic project with the goal of qualifying a team for LA28. Participating in the Youth European Championships demonstrates that our flag football foundation is growing. It shows we can compete with the best in Europe and offer our players unforgettable experiences that may stay with them for life. For some, this could be the first step toward eventually crowning their athletic careers by competing in the Olympic Games.”