The Porvoo Butchers are Finland’s 2023 Maple Bowl Champions, but can they do it again in 2024? I have gone on record plenty of times comparing the prestigious team as the “Dallas Cowboys of Finland”, due to their high expectations and talent level combined with lack of championships to show for it. But all of that is OVER, the 2023 Porvoo Butchers team proved to be the real deal (Unlike the 2023 Dallas Cowboys)! With the monkey off their back, are the Butchers poised to make another run at the title, or was last season a one-off situation?
HISTORY FAVORS THE BOLD
Most fans following football in Europe have very little historical background on the Maple League in Finland. That’s not your fault, but allow me to give you a quick crash course. From 2020 to 2022 the Kuopio Steelers won 3 consecutive Maple Bowls, creating what could be considered a mini-dynasty.
Before that, the Helsinki Roosters owned Finland’s title as the best in the country, winning every championship from 2012 to 2019. Most football enthusiasts have lived to know about the Roosters Dynasty, which saw the organization compete internationally and be successful in the process. I have to admit, some of the best football teams I have seen play in Europe would be from a few of the Roosters squads in the “Red Era”.
In 2011, the Helsinki Wolverines claimed Finland’s Maple Bowl title. Before that season, Finland football belonged to the Porvoo Butchers. From 2005 to 2010, the Butchers won 6 consecutive Maple Bowls, in what could only be considered the “Golden Era” in Finland. The era was a time when domestic players had a large role in the success of their teams, as import players were less common before the 2010s.
Excluding last year’s championship, the Butchers team has not been a Maple Bowl participant since 2010, despite having some very talented teams during that period. One characteristic that has stood out about the Butchers during their Maple Bowl hiatus, as well as during their 2023 championship run, is their commitment to having Finnish-born players contribute to their team’s success. This philosophy is a major reason why we could be seeing the beginning of the Butchers’ second Dynasty run, starting with a 2024 back-to-back title.
IF NOT NOW THEN WHEN
Football is a chemistry sport that relies on a lot of players, coaches, and staff working together to have success. The biggest obstacle to that success is the inevitable change of personnel. It happens in all sports, but is one of the main reasons for the parity in the sport of American Football. Finland’s football landscape is no different. A constant for the “Red Era” and the Kuopio Steelers Mini-Dynasty were having key personnel remain the same, or very similar, to keep the cohesiveness of the team. The 2024 Porvoo Butchers have that recipe in hand, so there isn’t anything standing in their way from winning another title.
NEW IS NOT ALWAYS BETTER
There are plenty of reasons why the Butchers can repeat as champions this season, but none as important as what their opponents have done this offseason. The majority of teams in the Maple League have made significant changes to their personnel, meaning they will have to build cohesiveness throughout the season. Here are a few changes that teams have made, which actually help the Butchers chances of winning.
Seinäjoki Crocodiles change Head Coach & Quarterback - The Crocodiles were the league favorite last year, and were expected to win the Maple Bowl. Despite the championship loss, they would have remained a contender for 2024 with a majority of their roster intact. But all that goes out the window when you bring in a new Head Coach & signal caller. They could still be very good, but will have a learning curve to combat early in the season.
Helsinki Roosters change their Defensive Coordinator & Quarterback - The Roosters finished last season on a tear offensively. They have decided to change those pieces this year, turning to an underdeveloped Finnish quarterback, as well as bringing in a different group of foreign skill players. In a league where everyone scores points, the Roosters will be handicapped in that area. On the defensive side of the ball, we can only wait to see how those units adjust to a new leader after having the same DC and for almost a decade in helsinki.
Lohja Crusaders Change Key Positions - The Crusaders have a new Head Coach and Defensive Coordinator. That alone is enough change to slow down any progress they want to make from last year. But they will also have an entirely new crop of foreign players to mix in with the changes in leadership.
Wasa Royals are the Wasa Royals - I honestly don’t know what changes the Royals have made, but I do know that it doesn’t matter, they will be a good team by the end of the season. But those early games when they have to figure out what they are good at is when the Butchers get a leg up on them long term.
Kuopio Steelers change Head coach & Personnel - With the Mini-Dynasty over, it looks like the Steelers are heading in a new direction for the 2024 season. The new Head Coach has recruited an interesting group of players and coaches to Kuopio, but only time will tell how the group gels together throughout the season.
Helsinki Wolverines Players will be Brand New - The Wolverines basically took last season off to play their young talent. That means they will have a brand new team of players this year, with all of the confusion of blending them together.
RUN IT BACK
Similar to other teams in the Maple League, the Butchers will have changes, but not in their key positions. The personnel that were pillars in their championship run have remained, decreasing the amount of cohesiveness that has to be built throughout the season. The Butchers will be the only team in Finland continuing from last season instead of re-adjusting. Here are a few constants that will help the team run it back in 2024.
Head Coach Lasse Voipio Remains - Voipio will be able to build on last season instead of installing culture and plays during the offseason.
Quarterback Brandon Gwinner Returns - Butchers will have a new OC, but that matters very little when Gwinner will be returning for his third consecutive season as the Porvoo signal caller
Offensive Weapons Return - Receiver Mikko Seppänen & athlete Micky Kyei lead a talented group of skill players that are familiar with Gwinner and have built a connection that led them to a championship last season.
Player of the Year Returns on Defense - Defensive Back Zach Wright returns to a bend, but don’t break defense. It takes more than one player of course, but Zach proved with his play last season that as long as he is on the field his team has a chance to win.
IF YOU DON’T BELIEVE ME JUST WATCH
Last season only true Porvoo fans believed the team had what it took to win a Maple Bowl title. Unfortunately, I was not one of those fans. I will not make the same mistake, as this team gears up to solidify themselves as a force in Finland for 2024. I suggest that if you are reading this with any bit of skepticism that you pay close attention to Finland’s Maple League this year, and remember that I put you onto the Butchers before it all went down. You can catch them in action May 17, when they replay the 2023 Maple Bowl against the Seinäjoki Crocodiles.
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