NEWS
(Updated April 24th 2007)

Last training camp of the spring is now over. Defence coach Jan Vilkko (JV) and offence coach Nikko Olsson (NO) will tell how the camp was and what’s the schedule concerning the EFL

JV: We’re right on schedule though the first real challenge will be in a next week when we play against the Helsinki Wolverines. Last camp was pretty much like the five before that, participation was good, around 30 guys. Tempo and effort was on a good level.

How have you trained offence now that foreign players aren’t here yet?

NO: Offence has been played as in previous years. The fact that QB hasn’t arrived yet hasn’t changed the way we train. We have to pay attention to timing when QB gets here, but when have trained the plays, it will be easier.

I suppose there has been some correspondence about the offence playbook now that the quarterback isn’t here yet?

NO: There has been correspondence. Things are made easier by a relatively same kind of thinking about offence, so there hasn’t been any major problems.

Additionally the quarterback seems to have different qualities than Petrus Penkki. How will that affect?

NO: A bit on the way we play the guys on the offence and how running plays are planned.

There are several QBs in the roster. Playing it safe concerning injuries?

NO: Yeah, exactly. In Eurogames the roster must be announced in March and since we had the chance to agree things with Morris, we took this option.

Have the captains been selected and who are they?

JV: On the last camp the players voted for the captains and they are Pekka Piminäinen, Pasi Lautala, Marko Luoma, Mika Marttila and Ville Palikainen.

Have there been setbacks in training or have you proceeded as planned?

JV: We’ve proceeded as planned.

How is the drive with the players and, above all, is the “Eurobowl” on schedule?

JV: We have set the goals inside the team as well as the goals regarding Eurogames and Finnish League on motivating level…

What kind of extra boost do you expect when the foreign players arrive?

JV: A big one for many reasons. First the arrival of the quarterback influences the fluency of the offence. Second when there are more Americans than in the previous years, they will affect the nature of the practising by their number alone. And of course every American who comes to Finland must be a strengthening element, and through that, the general level of making things happen should rise.

In the roster there are “new” old names such as Juha Havulehto (LB & coach) and Mika Nuikka (DL). What kind of a role these old warhorses have in the team? What should it be like?

JV: Well, Havulehto concentrates on coaching and Nuikka to block the center of the defence as in earlier years. They both are leaders in their own special way.

Moreover, there has been added an interesting name to the roster, when Johan Wickholm switches from an other Porvoo main sport, from basketball team Tarmo to Butchers.

JV: Yes, Wickholm has joined us on his own accord and seems to be serious. His speed and reach are as good any other players’ in the Finnish League. When we get basics on an acceptable level, he will be an interesting addition to the team.