IFAF U19 Euros: Denmark defeats Czech Republic, will now face Germany for 4th

Denmark will face Germany to play for fourth place in the IFAF U19 European Championships in September, having survived an initial scare to run out 27-18 winners over the Czech Republic at Vejle Atletik Stadion.

The Czechs, who will take on Italy to contest sixth place overall, held a 12-point lead at halftime having shut out their hosts, but Denmark scored 27 unanswered points to take control and seal victory.

Kryštof Doležal gave the Czechs a first quarter lead with a 26-yard field goal and then quarterback Ondřej Vit connected with Denis Kadrle who raced beyond the secondary and found the end zone for a 47-yard touchdown and a 9-0 advantage after the extra point attempt was tipped.

A fumbled Denmark kickoff return gave Czechia the ball again at the home 17-yard mark with a minute to play in the half and after a string of incomplete passes, Czechia had to settle for a 34-yard goal from by Adam Ševčík for a 12-0 halftime lead.

The Czech defense stepped up as František Kučera produced an interception on Denmark’s first possession of the second half. The Danish defense then replied with pass broken up in the end zone and Czechia threw three incomplete passes as they were unable to take advantage of field position and elected not to kick another 34-yard field goal on fourth down.

That swung the momentum and Denmark’s comeback began on their own 18-yard line as Simon Hansen took a handoff and raced all the way to within 12 yards of the end zone. On fourth down with 19 yards to go having been backed up by a sack, quarterback Adam Lyngby found Kasper Christensen just inside the end zone on a bold call for a touchdown to halve the visitors’ lead.

Denmark’s Daniel Steffensen intercepted Vit at midfield on the next drive and another big play, this time on third down saw Lyngby find Anton Lumbholt over the middle for a 46-yard touchdown and the Danes led for the first time, holding a 13-12 advantage despite the extra point bouncing wide off the upright.

Hansen extended the home lead with a bursting run through tackles 17 yards to the Czech one-yard mark and he then breached the end zone untouched for a touchdown and a 20-12 lead.

Magnus Huss had a 55-yard touchdown run called back for holding in the fourth quarter, but Denmark extended their lead to an unassailable advantage when Magnus Sloth returned a punt 56 yards for a score.

Trailing 27-12, Czechia scored with just over a minute remaining on a 15-yard Ondřej Skoupý pass to Jiří Handlar deep in the corner of the end zone.

Saturday, April 19: Germany 55 Italy 0

Sunday, April 20: Denmark 27 Czechia 18

September 20/21: Germany vs Denmark of Game 2 for fourth place, venue TBC

September 20/21: Italy vs Czechia for sixth place, venue TBC