Men's Box Lacrosse National Team EC2026 - Final Dance in Prague
September 2025, Turku, Finland
“September in Turku can be cold, wet and bleak, especially if the previous evening’s red wine had been particularly tannic. But Coach Kelusky did not feel the chill. As he looked his lacrosse family in the eye at Parkki Field, the fire in their eyes warmed his weathered lacrosse heart. A smile spread across his face, now he knew. The journey to the European Championship had begun..”
The Journey Begins
The 2026 European Championship represented a major commitment for the Finnish national team. The team management had persuaded both the old warhorses and the younger prospects, as well as the coaching staff, to commit once more to a shared goal: one last dance and the pursuit of success in Prague.
This time, we wanted to do everything properly. The 2022 European Championship in Germany had ended in disappointment, with Finland failing to beat any of Europe’s major lacrosse nations. Throughout the winter, the team trained together at least once a month. That meant countless kilometres on the road, journeys across Finland and long sessions in cramped sports halls through a dark and seemingly endless winter. By far the greatest responsibility for the team’s winter training fell to Pentti Pekkonen, whose selfless dedication, encouragement and high standards ensured that the team continued to develop throughout the winter.
The players brought the right attitude to every practice. In a physical sport, that occasionally led to confrontations, but the training season was largely constructive and positive. Over the winter, it became clear that competition for roster spots would be tougher than ever. If the players could remain reasonably healthy, Finland would be able to field its strongest team of all time.
In April, the team had an opportunity to measure its level at the E-Box tournament and the Aleš Hřebeský Memorial in Prague. Heavy defeats at E-Box and elimination before the AHM playoffs provided a timely reality check and a much-needed wake-up call. There was still work to do. The team was selected soon after the tournaments, and an exceptionally close selection process inevitably brought some bitter disappointments.
The team continued to train intensively until the European Championship. In June, the coaching staff received an important addition when offensive coach Kyle Goundrey joined the team.
On 22 June, the team took over the picturesque village of Libuš, south of central Prague, which became the perfect base for the tournament. Before the competition began, the team spent two days training, building cohesion and adjusting to Prague’s scorching heat. The opening days of the tournament were exceptionally hot, with temperatures climbing close to the Czech national record of 42 degrees Celsius.
Apart from one hamstring that gave out during the final practice, everything was ready for the tournament.
Pool Play Games
Finland opened the European Championship with an overtime thriller
Ireland–Finland 10–11 OT
Finland’s European Championship campaign began with one of the most dramatic games of the tournament. Ireland raced to a 2–0 lead in the opening period, but Finland responded quickly. Roope Jokela and Jarno Aaltonen scored power-play goals just 15 seconds apart, before goals from Robert Raittila and Peter Hrynuik turned the game in Finland’s favour. Finland led 5–3 at the first intermission.
Finland held the lead for a long time. Ireland drew level in the third period, but Roope Jokela restored Finland’s advantage with a short-handed goal. Raittila’s second goal of the night then stretched the lead to 9–7.
Ireland came back again late in the game and moved ahead. Matt Duncan made it 10–9 with less than two minutes remaining, but Finland refused to fold. With only 39 seconds left in regulation, Jokela equalised from passes by Brett Kujala and Hrynuik.
Alex Kiviniemi became the overtime hero. After working tirelessly throughout the game, he powered the ball into the Irish net. The goal, assisted by Jokela at 66:21, secured an 11–10 victory and a perfect start to the tournament. Jokela led the Finnish offence with three goals and four assists.
Game statistics · Game recording
Finland came back from five goals down to beat the reigning champions
England–Finland 12–13 OT
For a long time, Finland’s second game appeared to be slipping into England’s control. Simo Teperi tied the score at 1–1 in the opening minutes, but the reigning European champions then scored four unanswered goals. When England scored again on the first possession of the third period, Finland trailed 6–1.
That was the start of a fierce comeback. Joakim Miller, Robert Raittila and Roope Jokela began to cut into the deficit. England continued to answer Finland’s goals, but the gap gradually narrowed. As the game entered its final ten minutes, Finland scored three times in three minutes, with two goals from Raittila followed by Kujala’s equaliser.
England moved back in front at 12–11 with less than two and a half minutes remaining. Once again, Jokela provided the answer. He tied the game at 58:15 and sent it to overtime.
Overtime lasted only one minute and 39 seconds. Jokela scored his third goal of the night to complete Finland’s remarkable comeback and seal a 13–12 victory. Raittila finished with four goals and three assists, Jokela with three goals and three assists, and goalkeeper Lauri Uusitalo made 47 saves.
Game statistics · Game recording
Finland sealed first place in the group in emphatic fashion
Finland–Netherlands 17–2
The Netherlands surprised Finland by scoring what had almost become the customary opening goal after just 43 seconds. From that point on, however, the game produced an almost flawless Finnish performance. Jarno Aaltonen equalised, Brett Kujala put Finland ahead and Roope Jokela completed the first-period scoring at 3–1.
Finland’s offence broke loose in the second period. Kujala, Jimi Wiren and Aaltonen put together a five-goal run in less than three minutes. The Netherlands could not slow Finland’s ball movement, and the score had reached 10–2 by the halfway point.
Finland did not allow another goal. Jokela, Peter Hrynuik, Wiren and Juho-Pietari Aaltonen continued to extend the lead, and the 17–2 final score secured Finland a perfect group-stage record and first place in the group.
Kujala led all scorers with four goals and four assists. Jokela scored four goals and Aaltonen recorded three goals and three assists. Finland also received strong goaltending: Riku Jokela made 14 saves in the first half, while Lauri Uusitalo kept a clean sheet after entering for the second half.
Across its three group-stage games, Finland had shown that it could both recover from difficult situations and control a game from start to finish.
Playoff Games
Czechia fell in front of the home crowd as Finland reached the semifinals
Finland–Czechia 14–10
Finland had started its games poorly and kept that tradition alive by allowing the hosts to take the lead after only 19 seconds. Czechia led 2–0 and later 3–1, but Finland did not waver. Brett Kujala began the comeback before Roope Jokela, Jimi Wiren and Alex Kiviniemi lifted Finland into a 4–3 lead. Czechia equalised short-handed, but Jokela’s second goal sent Finland into the first intermission ahead 5–4.
Finland began to take control in the second period. Robert Raittila scored on the power play, Jokela completed his hat trick and Jarno Aaltonen made it 8–5. Aaltonen and Wiren extended the lead in the third period, and Finland entered the final period ahead 11–7.
Czechia closed to within two goals and made it 12–10 with six minutes remaining. Finland withstood the pressure. Kujala scored the relieving 13–10 goal, and Raittila sealed the victory on the power play.
The 14–10 final score sent Finland into the final four. Aaltonen recorded three goals and four assists, while Jokela finished with three goals and three assists. Lauri Uusitalo made 33 saves in a game in which Czechia took 77 shots in total.
Game statistics · Game recording
Seven-second miracle sent Finland to a historic final
Finland–England 10–9 OT
The semifinal against England was remarkably even from start to finish. Jimi Wiren put Finland ahead, but England turned the score around to lead 2–1. Brett Kujala equalised with only four seconds left in the opening period.
Robert Raittila and Peter Hrynuik gave Finland a 4–3 lead in the second period, but England tied the score just before the intermission. After the third period, Finland was again chasing the game at 7–5.
Finland fought back in the final period. Roope Jokela scored on the power play, Raittila equalised and Hrynuik put Finland ahead 8–7. England answered with two goals and appeared to have one foot in the final with less than a minute remaining.
Finland called a timeout at 58:52 and set up one final possession. The decisive breakthrough came with only seven seconds left: Kujala converted Jokela’s pass to tie the game at 9–9.
Only 47 seconds of overtime were needed. Jokela found Joakim Miller, who scored the golden goal and sent Finland to a major championship final for the first time. The victory also guaranteed the best major championship finish in Finnish lacrosse history.
Game statistics · Game recording
Historic European Championship ended with silver
Ireland–Finland 9–6
Finland faced Ireland in the final, having beaten them in overtime during the group stage. The championship game was just as physical, evenly matched and low-scoring.
Ireland opened the scoring on the power play, but Roope Jokela equalised. Ireland moved into a 3–1 lead before Jokela’s second goal of the night reduced the deficit to 3–2. Ireland extended its lead to 5–2 in the second period, but Peter Hrynuik brought Finland back within two goals with only three seconds left before the intermission.
Robert Raittila’s power-play goal made it 5–4. Finland remained within striking distance in the final period: Hrynuik scored to make it 6–5, and Jimi Wiren brought Finland back to 7–6 with just over five minutes remaining.
Ireland’s Conor Foley responded quickly and restored the two-goal margin. Brian Gillis made it 9–6 in the final minute, securing the European title for Ireland.
Lauri Uusitalo kept Finland in the game with 46 saves. The defeat did not diminish the significance of the achievement: Finland finished the tournament with European Championship silver and the best result in its history in any form of lacrosse.
Afterwords
In the end, the difference between gold and silver was almost imperceptibly small. One loose ball, a rebound from a save, slightly better timing or one successful decision could have changed everything. That is why the moments from the final still return to mind. What could we have done differently? Where could we have been a little better? Would one small change have been enough to turn the game and rewrite the end of the story?
When the goal is to win the championship, disappointment is naturally the first emotion after the final buzzer. Now that some time has passed, it is possible to look beyond that feeling and admit that, in truth, it went remarkably well.
The players remained largely healthy throughout a long tournament. The team’s physical conditioning withstood the Prague heat, the demanding games and the decisive moments. The game plans worked. The runners fulfilled their roles, the goalkeepers delivered, and the team played better than ever before.
Most importantly, the team learned to believe in itself. The players no longer merely hoped that they could beat Europe’s best; they knew they could. When the games were at their closest and the pressure at its highest, the team dared to play to win. It found a way through the difficult moments, as shown by three overtime victories.
Things also fell into place away from the rink. Libuš became an important base for us. Our accommodation was excellent, and we received a warm welcome at our practice rink. It was where the team prepared, recovered and lived together throughout the tournament. The local kebab shop owner must have enjoyed the best week of his life.
Exceptional support work also stood behind the performances. Mika and Katja made sure daily life ran smoothly and the equipment was ready. Jenni and Jaska kept the players fit to play and helped them withstand the strain of the tournament. Chris tirelessly built the players’ confidence and put in long hours compiling statistics. Kayne, who joined the team as an intern, made a lasting impression with his work rate, attitude and willingness to become part of the group. Every contribution mattered. Without them, this journey would not have ended the same way.
The coaches complemented one another exceptionally well. Pentti has carried much of the responsibility for the team’s training in Finland for a long time, giving an enormous amount of his time, knowledge and heart to this group. Kyle added new dimensions to the offence and, above all, confidence. When Tracey had to be away, Kyle took charge of the team from the end of the group stage all the way to the final. His calm manner and high standards kept the team on course and helped it continue winning until Tracey returned for the decisive game.
The journey with Tracey, which began in 2015, has been long, difficult at times and ultimately deeply emotional. It has included countless practices, tournaments, disappointments and moments when the future was uncertain. In Prague, all the hard work over the years finally led us to the place we had been pursuing all along. It was not quite the brightest possible destination, but it was closer than Finnish lacrosse had ever come before.
One of the greatest and most unexpected aspects of the tournament was the huge number of supporters who travelled from Finland. Friends, family members and familiar faces came to Prague to cheer for the team. Their presence could be seen and heard in the stands, but above all, it could be felt on the rink. It meant a great deal to see how many people wanted to be part of this moment and share the journey with us.
On 4 July, every member of the team had tears in their eyes. Of course, some of them came from losing the final. More than anything, however, they reflected the finality of the moment. An extraordinary journey had come to an end, and it would never continue again in the same way or with the same group.
It is a strange feeling to stand beside people who matter deeply to you while already missing everything you have experienced together over the past ten years. When the final buzzer sounds, you understand that time cannot be turned back. There will never be another opportunity quite like this one.
That is why the defeat hurt so much. It is also why the silver medal means so much.
With time, its colour has begun to shine more brightly. We will surely think about the final and those small, decisive moments for a long time. Alongside them, however, has come an understanding of what an exceptional achievement this team produced. Almost everything fell into place. Almost everything was perfect. The gold medal remained just beyond our reach, but no one can take away what we achieved.
Beneath all the disappointment, pride, longing and sense of finality, the strongest feeling that remains is gratitude.
Gratitude for this team. For these people. For all the years together and all the small moments.
Gratitude for the entire journey.
Tuomas Tilkanen
#4
General Manager 2020–2026
Team Finland 2026
Team members
00 Lauri Uusitalo
44 Riku Jokela
4 Tuomas Tilkanen
7 Kalle Hukkanen
8 Peter Hrynuik
9 Jarno Aaltonen
11 Henrik Haarala
16 Rasmus Tenho
17 Luke Lehtimäki
18 Vinski Nipuli
21 Alex Kiviniemi
33 Anssi Kaisalmi
48 Simo Teperi
49 Juho Aaltonen
50 Roope Jokela
52 Severi Koskinen
61 Robert Raittila
71 Markus Mattila
77 Joonas Sundman
81 Joakim Miller
88 Akseli Rantanen
91 Brett Kujala
92 Jimi Wiren
Head Coach: Tracey Kelusky
Coach: Kyle Goundrey
Coach: Pentti Pekkonen
Physiotherapist: Jenni Vainionpää
Equipment Manager: Mika Kiviniemi
Equipment Staff: Katja Kiviniemi
Statistics and Hype: Chris Hackel
Team Doctor: Jaakko Kosunen
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