Jr. Florida Vikings FC represents USA at Gothia Cup Innebandy

The team views the tournament as a valuable opportunity to develop and promote floorball in the USA.

Jr. Florida Vikings FC from Florida appreciates the intensity of Gothia Cup Floorball and views the tournament as an opportunity to develop their game and gain experience to promote floorball in the USA.

Jr. Florida Vikings FC is the only American team participating in Gothia Cup Floorball 2025.

- It’s been a fun experience, says team captain Luke Williamsson.

The team has had a tough start to the tournament but isn’t letting that hold them back.

- We’ve been trying our best, we’ve gotten a lot of opportunities. We played three games. We don’t like the results but it’s been fun so far., says Luke Williamsson.

It’s not the first time the team has competed in Gothia Cup Floorball. Luke Williamsson himself participated when the team played in the tournament back in 2020.

The captain highlights several lessons they’ve learned during the tournament, including adapting to positioning, which has been a learning curve. However, he’s also keen to focus on their strengths.

- I think we have good speed and good shooting. The playing style is very intense here, Luke Williamsson observes.

Jr. Florida Vikings is the only floorball club in Florida, and the team has many ties to European floorball, with several players having Swedish and Czech heritage.

- Our mission is to develop floorball in the US. There’s not much floorball in the US but it’s definitely growing.

One way they’re working toward this is by gaining experiences that can benefit them in the future.

- The level here definitely exceeds the level in the USA. It’s been tough for us, but we’re here to develop our game and that’s our goal, says Luke Williamsson.

Having traveled such a long way to play, what motivates the team to compete at Gothia Cup Floorball?

- There’s nothing like it in the US. It’s a great experience to come here, especially when you make friends and play floorball. It’s what you want to do. My favourite thing with Gothia Cup is the competition and the intensity. It really helps us grow and get better, concludes Luke Williamsson.