IFAF U19 Euros: Germany cruises to convincing win over Italy

| 2024/25 IFAF European Junior Football Championships | 04/20/2025

Germany earned a September showdown with either Denmark or the Czech Republic in the race for fourth place overall in the 2024/25 IFAF U19 European Championships with a dominant 55-0 win over Italy as running back Ismael Calatayud Morejon scored four touchdowns.

Germany first struck on their second possession of the game at the Dietrich Lang Sportzentrum in Neu-Ulm as Calatayud Morejon took handoff and broke tackles to fight for a nine-yard touchdown run and Leo Bruggemann tagged on the extra point for a 7-0 lead.

Germany’s advantage doubled before the end of the first quarter with a 26-yard touchdown pass over the middle from quarterback Lennart Thoma to Carlos Speidel.
Calatayud Morejon exposed gaps in the visiting defense as Germany’s hurry up offense caught Italy off guard to race to the end zone for a 54-yard TD rush 20-0. The two-point conversion attempt was ruled out for holding.

Linebacker Hamza Mujkic returned a pick six 68 yards, untouched down the left sideline, and Elias D’Oliveira’s two-point run opened a 28-point advantage.
Italy should have put points on the board just before break, but a dropped ball in the end zone and a catch just a yard short of pay dirt turned the ball over on downs.

Germany’s response was clinical as at the two-minute warning Thoma connected with Speidel who raced to a 98-yard touchdown and the hosts led 34-0 at halftime.
Thoma connected with Ijoma Shortman for a 15-yard touchdown pass then Calatayud Morejon returned a punt 41-yards having broken several tackles and Germany’s advantage increased to 48 points.

The final score of the afternoon came as following an interception Ole Wohlfahrt had a touchdown run called back for holding, but Calatayud Morejon scored again on the following play.

Saturday, April 19: Germany 55 Italy 0, Dietrich Lang Sportzentrum, Neu-Ulm
Sunday, April 20: Denmark vs Czechia, Vejle Atletik Stadion, Vejle, 4pm
September 20/21: Germany vs winners of Game 2, TBC
September 20/21: Italy vs runner-up of Game 2, TBC
(All kickoff times are local)

All kickoff times are local.

Michael Preston (@PRMikePreston) is currently working with IFAF in a PR capacity. He recently covered Super Bowl LVII as a member of the NFL PR team as he has done for 20+ years. He has held communications positions with NFL Europe, the North