As the Vienna Vikings prepare for the 2024 ELF championship next week, it's important to remember how they got there, currently holding an impressive perfect 13-0 record on the season. 

Four key players to the success of the Vikings this year have been Finnish imports Karri Pajarinen, the teams leading rusher with 1,123 yards and 13 touchdowns. Pajainen is joined by  offensive lineman Tony Kosinen, receiver Kimi Linnainmaa, and defensive back Elmeri Laalo. The Vikings also have Marianne Pahkala from Finland who is the teams special teams coordinator, running backs coach, and strength and conditioning coach. 

“It's cool to have each other here. Not just football wise, but also just being here with other Finns. We can maybe relate to each other better than to other guys. I mean, it's very unique. If you think about other European teams, I don't even know if any other ELF team has any other nationality import group to this extent other than Americans.” - Elmeri Laalo

The four Fins take pride in representing their country at the European stage, especially with the championship coming up next week.

“It's a statement that Finland has some high quality players that can play on this level. It's a really good thing to see that we have so many Finnish players in the league.” - Karri Pajarinen

Pajarinen and Laalo continue to develop in year 2 in Vienna

Pajarinen and Laalo were both members of the 2023 Vikings and decided to return to Vienna this season. For Karri Pajarinen, the league's second leading rusher, it was the team brotherhood that made it an easy decision to wear purple again:

“It was an easy decision to come back here with this special team culture. It's more like a friend group and a brotherhood. It's totally different to your traditional professional football team. It’s an atmosphere where you feel like everyone wants to work together to win that championship. Everyone's there working towards the same common goal.”

Laalo, a young prospect who has put together two strong seasons in Vienna had an all-star level season this year putting up 47 tackles, 3 sacks, and 8.5 tackles for a loss.

“The Vikings have been a great organization in Europe for a long time, and you can see we have guys who have played together for a long time. A lot of guys on the defense have played together since they were 10 years old. So there's always that special culture around you as a player.”

OL Tony Kosinen joins his countrymen abroad

One new addition to the Finnish group is offensive lineman Tony Kosinen. The 6 '4 offensive lineman played in 2022 with the Raiders Tirol before returning home to Finland last year to complete his studies. However, this past off-season he was lured to Vienna by his countrymen. 

“I remember I got the chance to get an interview with the Vikings. I was super happy about that. But I was definitely recruited by these guys for sure.” 

WR Kimmi Linnainmaa hoping to become a champion once again

One of the original Finnish Vikings is Kimmi Linnainmaa who played for the team back in 2022 winning MVP of the ELF Championship game. The champion compared this years squad to the one that he hoisted the trophy with in 2022.

“It's a very similar feeling in the team, I would say, first of all, just a great group of guys with great leadership. Everybody is bought into what we want to do. We have some of the same coaches, but also the new coaches are just experts in what they do, and they just fit into the Vienna Vikings culture. I think culture is the big thing, and it's very similar. It's the same culture and the same same feeling."

Vienna Vikings head of communications Kiki Klepsch added how working with the Finnish players has been a pleasure for the organization:

“They're extremely smart, athletic, and low maintenance when it comes to player personnel. It's just wonderful working with these guys. I'm extremely happy to have all four of them on our team. It brings a little more Vikings spirit into the team!"

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