Austria to host IFAF Men’s European Championship final against Finland

Austria will host Finland in the final of the 2023 IFAF European Championships in men’s tackle football on Saturday, October 28, at the NV Arena in St. Pölten.

Two-time runners up Austria dethroned reigning champions Italy 24-14 in August to reach the final, while five-time winners Finland were 33-14 victors over Sweden.

Finland head coach Mikko Kolkkalainen has been a member of his nation’s team at all five previous continental victories, the last of which came in 2000. Austria head coach Max Sommer seeks a first victory on home soil.

“It is a fantastic opportunity to be able to host the European Senior American Football Championship in Austria,” said IFAF President Pierre Trochet. “IFAF is proud of this opportunity to expand our European activities in Austria following the recent opening of an office in Vienna. We have full confidence in the Austrian American Football Association (AFBÖ) to host a great event.”

The NV Arena in St. Pölten has an 8,000 capacity and was the scene for Austrian Bowl XXXVIII where 4,839 spectators attended.

AFBÖ President Michael Eschlböck:

“I am very happy that our national team will have the chance to write history in front of their own fans. Most of our players already have championship titles from the U19 national team. Everybody is on fire to put on the European crown. All of that on the Saturday after Austria’s national day.”

Austria’s championship pedigree includes a narrow 30-27 defeat to Germany in front of a crowd of 27,000 at the Ernst Happel Stadion in Vienna in 2014, and then four years later another silver medal against France. Austria also claimed bronze in 1995 and 2010.

Finland has participated in every one of the previous 15 European Championships, finishing as runners up in the inaugural tournament in 1983. They then beat Italy in 1985, twice lost the title game to Great Britain and won four straight crowns in 1993, 1995, 1997 and 2000. Finland have medaled in four tournaments since they last ruled the continent.

Suomen Amerikkalaisen Jalkapallon Liitto (SAJL) President Roope Noronen:

“It is with great pleasure that we can play the European Championship final in Austria, where a great game day experience is always delivered by AFBÖ staff, volunteers and partners. I am sure that fans of both teams as well as the European football community will enjoy the event both on site and across the continent through the game broadcast.”

Tickets will soon be available on www.oeticket.com.