Dacia Vienna Vikings face Swarco Raiders for the European club team title in Innsbruck

The European Club Team Competition has reached its final and most important event in its very first year of existence. Organized by IFAF Europe, the ECTC started with a total of 13 teams from 11 different countries – Austria, France, Sweden, Serbia, Finland, Turkey, Denmark, Spain, Switzerland, Italy and Poland – and has now been whittled down to two.

Vienna’s road to the ECTC Final saw them defeat the Badalona Dracs from Barcelona, Spain 38-8.  They had soundly defeated Denmark’s Triangle Razorbacks in the opening game of the tournament. With that victory, the Vikings won the ECTC Central Division.

The Vikings were to have faced the Helsinki Roosters, winners of the Northern European Football League crown,  to decide the ECTC final, but Helsinki was unable to play in the final leaving the Vikings with a walkover.

Swarco needed a late-game rally to defeat the Calanda Broncos 46-42 in CEFL Bowl XIV to capture their third straight title and qualify for the ECTC final. They had previously defeated France’s Thonon Black Panthers who they dominated 41-7. They then manhandled the Milano Seamen from Italy, 50-23.

Dacia Vikings Head Coach Chris Calaycay, Swarco Raiders HC Shuan Fatah and IFAF Europe Director Gregor Murth presented their views prior to this important match-up.

Dr. Gregor Murth, Director IFAF Europe:

“I expect a wide open game and I can only recommend to every football fan to come and watch this game. In 2019 there will finally be a real European championship of football clubs from all over Europe. I am particularly pleased that the finals can be played at the Innsbruck Tivoli. This is a top setting for one of the biggest football games in Europe. This event will certainly set new standards “,

Murth also stresses the level of American football in Austria:

“Both teams have prevailed against various state champions, and It shows the leading position Austrian top teams have in Europe. I expect a fantastic game, high level plays and I can only advise every fan to watch this game.”

Dacia Vienna Vikings Head Coach Chris Calaycay:

… on the importance of this international play:

“First of all, for myself I am very proud that we are in this final game. I’ve been in European bowl games ten times in my career. That is quite an accomplishment of our program, our players and the long and successful international tradition we have here with the Vikings. Our team is very excited to get back at this point. We’ve been out of the international play for a couple of years, and to have the opportunity to play at Tivoli to see who the number one team is is very special. That’s what you work for: to play in a championship. We are really proud going into this game and we want to make sure we do everything we can to come out on top!”

… on the Swarco Raiders Tyrol:

“Generally, we know our opponent, who they are and the tendencies in what they do. It is a matter of us going out executing our game plan and focusing on us. It is tough to beat the Raiders at their home stadium; they have great players and they have been playing a consistent system for so long. So, they do what they do, and they do it really well. One of the key factors in their game is number 12. Sean Shelton runs the show; he is the leader out there. If a team has a quarterback for four years, it sets up for some tough things to do from our defensive side. But having said that, we’ve faced him a lot – so we kind of know what he does and how he can be stopped.” 

… on odds, pressure and being considered the underdog:

“I think nobody expects us to win this game. We had an Austrian Bowl against the Raiders last year which was decided in the last seconds of the game only by a field goal. Facing them twice this regular AFL season, they beat us both times. So, it is three losses in a row, and now we play at their house. So, I don’t think anybody is counting on us to win. But frankly, that is fine with us. We will go out there, play Vikings football and we’ll see who wins the championship.”  

… on keys to winning the game:

“I just want us to go out there and be ourselves! Be Vikings! Play together! Execute together! The guys need to be fired up and play good football. Often these types of games are decided in four, five game-changing plays. These are the plays we need to create. And that is my main focus on: That we create good stuff on defense, on offense and on special teams, so that we dictate the game. That is a real important factor. We have been working hard these last weeks to prepare for this match-up. We are excited for the game and we are ready to go for the championship on Saturday.”