2018 IFAF European Championships: Team Austria overpowers Sweden to advance to gold medal game

Team Austria has advanced to the gold medal final of the 2018 IFAF European Championships by dominating Sweden from the opening whistle beating them 41-3 in Vantaa, Finland.

Austria jumped out to a 14-0 lead within the first three minutes of the game and never looked back.

Austrian starting quarterback Alexander Thury was an efficient eight of 10 in passing throwing for only 117 yards and one touchdown. His favorite receiver, Bernhard Seikovits had three catches for 48 yards and a touchdown while running back Sandro Platzgummer scored three touchdowns, two rushing and another on a 92 yard kickoff return. Anton Wegan also scored a rushing touchdown while Thomas Pichlmann kicked two field goals and five PATs.

For Sweden, quarterback Philip Juhlin completed 16 of 30 passes for 137 yards but was picked off twice. Wide receiver Jacob Dahre caught seven of those passes for 65 yards and also kicked a field goal to account for Sweden’s only points.

The Austrians took control of the game on the opening kickoff,  with Sandro Platzgummer returning it 63 yards to Sweden’s 36 yard line. Two plays later quarterback Alexander Thury laid it perfectly into the hands of Bernhard Seikovits from 33 yards out and Austria led 7-0 with fans still finding their seats.

On the next series, Juhlin was picked off by defensive back Patrick Pilger who returned it to the Swedish 17 yard line. Two plays later, Platzgummer burst through the line and scored and suddenly, less than three minutes into the game, Austria held a 14-0 lead.

Two possessions later, with both teams having been forced to punt, Juhlin went to work, mounting a seven play drive down to Austria’s five yard line. The drive stalled bu Dahre kicked a 23 yard field goal to pull Sweden closer, 14-3 and give the offense a shot of confidence.

That disappeared on the ensuing kickoff as Platzgummer showed off his speed and elusiveness returning the ball all the way to the end zone giving Austria a 21-3 lead with just over a minute left in the first quarter.

Against, Juhlin marched his team, this time from his own 25 yard line down to Austria’s five in 15 plays. The drive ate up almost half of the second quarter, but then Muller picked off a Juhlin pass intended for xxx and six plays later Anton Wegan found a seam and scored from the 10 yard line increasing the lead to 28-3.

Austria was not done yet. Muller was having an outstanding day and on the next series he forced a fumble recovering the ball. Four plays later, Pichlmann kicked a 35 yard field goal and Austria went into the break leading 31-3.

Sweden’s offense came out flat in the second half not being able move the ball. Austria took over after the punt and drove 40 yards with Platzgummer scoring from the 10 yard line, adding to the lead 38-3.

Team Sweden continued to struggle on offense and with Austria inserting backup quarterback Ruben Seeber in the game, the tempo seemed to slow down. Pichlmann added another field goal midway through the final quarter and Austria simply ran out the clock on their final drive to finish with a 41-3 victory and a berth in the gold medal final on August 4..

Sweden will play for the bronze medal.

Check out he highlights.

Watch the post-game press conference