Germany to host 2024/25 IFAF Men’s European Tackle Championships Final Four

KREFELD, GERMANY – The top men’s national tackle teams in Europe will battle for continental glory in October when Germany hosts a final four tournament to decide who will win the 2024-25 IFAF Men’s European Championships from October 25-28.

Germany, reigning champions Austria, five-time champion Finland and three-time gold medal winner Italy battled through qualifying games last year to secure their place in the Final Four to be hosted by the American Football Verband Deutschland (AFVD).

Finland and Italy will kick off the action at 3pm on Saturday, October 25, at Benrath Stadion in Düsseldorf in a repeat of the inaugural final played in 1983. The long-awaited clash between Germany and traditional rival Austria will be played at 7pm on the opening day at Grotenburg Stadion in Krefeld. The last time these two nations met Germany claimed gold with a three-point win in Vienna in 2014.

The winners will meet for the European crown on Tuesday, October 28 in Krefeld, after the bronze medal is contested earlier in the day.

“We are very happy to have the first IFAF European Championships in a final four tournament format and are looking forward to the most important and exciting football games in Europe that will crown the new European champion,” said IFAF Director of Competitions Fabio Tortosa. “Germany has not only returned to compete with the best national teams across the continent, but it is significant that the German Federation AFVD is hosting this tournament.”

Game Schedule

Saturday, October 25: Finland vs Italy, Benrath Stadion, Düsseldorf 3pm

Saturday, October 25: Austria vs Germany, Grotenburg Stadion, Krefeld, 7pm

Tuesday October 28: Bronze Medal Game, Grotenburg Stadion, Krefeld

Tuesday, October 28: Gold medal Game, Grotenburg Stadion, Krefeld

IFAF President Pierre Trochet:

“European nations have consistently competed across the continent during a span of five decades and this promises to be one of the most exciting conclusions to a tournament in our sport’s history. A different nation has won the European crown in each of the past four competitions and three of those will be in action this October, with a returning powerhouse making this an incredibly competitive Final Four tournament.”

AFVD Vice president Andreas Kegelmann:

“That IFAF has awarded the tournament to Germany is a huge recognition of the development of our association. We are incredibly proud that we were able to convince the IFAF with our concept, and we also thank the other nations for their approval. Our goal was to bring the game against Austria to Germany – and we succeeded. Now we even have the chance to win the European Championship title on home soil, and that fills me with great pride.”

Led by head coach Max Sommer, Austria topped Group A in the group stages, which featured 12 nations playing home and away games over three weekends last October. Austria defeated Hungary 58-3 and Serbia in a 78-point shutout. The Austrians finally brought home the gold medal in 2023 having finished as runners up in 2014 and 2018.

Finland medaled in the first eleven European championships, winning in 1985 having been silver medalists in the first-ever tournament then dominated with four consecutive titles from 1993 to 2000. Runners up in 2023 under head coach Mikko Koikkalainen, the Finns beat Czechia 28-6 and France by a single point to top Group B.

Group C was a close affair as Italy edged Denmark 28-27 having blanked Switzerland 45-0 under head coach Brian Michitti. The first hosts and winners of the Euros 32 years ago, the Italians won again four years later in 1987 and were gold medal winners in 2021.

Germany returned to international competition with a triumphant performance with a 49-11 win away to Great Britain and sealed Group D with a 42-6 win over Sweden at the Krefeld venue where they will host Austria in October with Christian Rothe now at the helm. Three-time European champions Germany won the continental crown in 2001, 2010 and 2014 and have won three silver and four bronze medals.