IFAF 2020 European Championship qualification rounds rolling towards finish
This weekend, the IFAF 2020 European Championship qualification/group stage continues with two key Group A matchups and two in Group B
In the top group, Group A, 12 teams are in a battle with the winners of each division qualified to face each other in the playoff/championship round. The second pace teams will be allocated to a round to decide spots 5-8 while the third place teams will face off to determine 9-12.
At least two games have been played in each of the Group A divisions with one division, Division B finished as Italy has advanced. Meanwhile,three games have been played in Group B. Israel beat Team Turkey, Hungary downed Spain and Belgium defeated Team Israel.
Saturday, October 26
Team Denmark (1-0) @ Team Finland (1-0)
The Finnish national team will play host to Team Denmark in the deciding game of Division B this Saturday. Despite their close proximity, these two nations have never met at the men’s level.
Denmark defeated Team Netherlands a week ago 22-19 with the Dutch scoring a pair of late touchdowns. Team Finland rolled over Holland earlier this month, whipping them 55-0. However, the Finns know that the team that Holland fielded against Denmark was far different that the one that lost badly to Finland. Still, Finland will have a full 45 man roster (as opposed to the 30 that played against Holland) and will have the services of players returning from the German Football League, including linebacker Roni Salonon and receiver Sebastian Sagne, who both played for the new GFL champions, the Braunschweig New Yorker Lions.
Team Turkey (0-1) @ Team Spain (0-1)
For the second time in a year, these two teams will face each other in Spain. Turkey defeated Team Spain 14-7 in 2018, recording their first win in six years.The Turkish national team is coming off a tough 27-22 loss to Israel a month ago in Group B action. Meanwhile, Spain dropped a 24-7 decision to Team Hungary two weeks ago. Both teams desperately need a win. The Spaniards should have the advantage playing at home.
Team Hungary (1-0) @Team Belgium (1-0)
Hungary opened the Group B qualification round with a sound 24-7 defeat of Team Spain while the Belgians traveled to Israel and downed the host team 32-23 in a come-from-behind victory. Both teams have been fairly active over the past three years. Last year, Team Hungary defeated Team Czech Republic 23-15 in the final to capture the Three Nations Cup. Meanwhile, Belgium has dropped a pair of losses to Team Ireland in international friendlies. These two teams faced each other three years ago with Belgium coming out on top, 20-17.
This game is a toss up. Hungary looked impressive in the win over Spain while the Belgians win over Israel on the road was equally impressive.
Sunday, October 27
Czech Republic (0-1) @Team Serbia (0-0)
The Czech Republic will be looking for a big win when they travel to Belgrade, Serbia to face Team Serbia in the second game of Division A. The Czechs lost to France 28-3 a couple of weeks ago and need to beat the Serbian national team and then hope the Serbs then defeat France. Serbia has yet to play and has not played a game since 2017 when they downed Turkey 14-7 and also defeated a Pro Hunt Athletes team 14-0.
This is a tough one to predict.
