2024/25 IFAF Men’s European Championships: Austria and Italy dominant winners

Reigning champions Austria and bronze medalists Italy began their 2024/25 IFAF European Championships campaigns in dominant fashion with convincing wins over Hungary and Switzerland respectively.

Austria 58 – Hungary 3

At Kincsem Park in Budapest, Austria triumphed 58-3 as quarterback Nico Hrouda threw three touchdowns and fellow passer Alexander Reischl accounted for two more. Wide receiver Yannick Mayr (pictured) caught a pair of those scores, with one each through the air for tight end Richard Weber and receivers Julian Kapellari and Johannes Schütz.

On the ground, Hrouda breached the end zone along with running backs Tobias Bonatti and Florian Wegan. Kicker Oskar Herz made all seven extra point attempts and Oskar Herz split the uprights with a field goal.

Defensive coordinator Michael Hönig’s charges held Hungary to only a field goal, with Jan Mayerhofer and Leonhard Gerner each producing interceptions.

“When we wear the Austria jersey, we give one hundred percent – no matter who the opponent is,” said head coach Max Sommer. “I’m extremely happy with how our guys pulled through and never left any doubt about who is the better team on the field. That’s how we want to see Team Austria and I’m extremely proud of that.”

Austria’s title defense continues at home to Serbia in Salzburg on October 27, while Austria travel to Zrenjanin to face the Serbs next week on October 29.

Italy 45 – Switzerland 0

Italy also won on the road, shutting out Switzerland 45-0 at Stadion Lachen in Thun as running back Cosimo Casti paved the way with an early 80-yard touchdown run and Matteo Felli tagged on the extra point for a 7-0 lead.

Italy quarterback Luke Zahradka twice found tight end Carlo Tassan open in the end zone only for penalties to negate the scores and he did finally stretch the lead to 13 points with a pass over the outside shoulder of Simone Alinovi.

Zahradka found receiver Tamsir Seck inside the red zone early in the second quarter before Casati again ran untouched up the middle for a 20-0 lead

Seck reeled in a scoring grab to make it 28-0 after a successful two-point conversion, then Zahradka connected with Frankie Stola over 68 yards to effectively end the contest less than a minute before halftime as Italy led 36-0 at the interval.

On the first play after the break, Raffaele Rotelli came up with an interception to set up a Modeste Pooda scoring run. A fourth quarter Felli field goal completed the win.

Switzerland travels to face Denmark next weekend, while Italy will host the Danes on October 26 in Milan.

The Level 1 Euros action continues on Sunday when Czechia takes on last year’s silver medalist Finland at Městský Stadion in Ústí nad Labem (kickoff 1pm CET), and Sweden hosts Great Britain at the Sola Arena in Karlstad (kickoff 3pm CET). Visit IFAF.TV for live streams.

Group A:

October 12      Hungary 3 Austria 58                 Budapest

October 19      Serbia vs Hungary                      Zrenjanin

October 27      Austria vs Serbia                        Salzburg

Group B:

October 13      Czechia vs Finland                     Ústí nad Labem

October 20      France vs Czechia                      Lille

October 26      Finland vs France                      Vantaa

Group C:

October 12      Switzerland 0 Italy 45                  Thun

October 19      Denmark vs Switzerland             Copenhagen

October 26      Italy vs Denmark                          Milan

Group D:

October 13      Sweden vs Great Britain         Karlstad

October 19      Great Britain vs Germany       Coventry

October 26      Germany vs Sweden                Krefeld

Photo: Hannes Jirgal