LIVESTREAM: 2018 – IFAF European Championships – Team Sweden v. Team Austria, August 2, 4p (3p CEST, 9a EST)

AFI | 2018 IFAF European Championships | 08/02/2018

Graphic: Igor Lazarevic

Team Sweden takes on Team Austria Thursday August 2 in Vantaa, Finland in a game to decide who advances to the gold medal final in the 2018 IFAF European Championships.

Both teams have defeated Denmark with Austria beating Team Denmark 40-15 on Sunday and then Sweden handling the Danes a 30-20 loss on Tuesday, July 31. The last time these two countries faced each other was in the 2010 IFAF European Championship tournament when Austria blanked the Swedes 30-0. Austria the gold medal game in the 2014 tournament but were beaten in double overtime by Germany.

In their opening game victory over Denmark, Team Austria’s offense looked impressive, especially in the fourth quarter when they scored three unanswered touchdowns.With the team’s MVP quarterback Alexander Thury playing masterfully, Austria rolled up 446 yards in total offense with 250 yards of it coming on the ground. Thury completed 20 of 27 passes for 195 yards and rushed for another 91 and two touchdowns.Running back Sandro Platzgummer rushed for 48 yards and two touchdowns while Dominik Mattes had three carries for 39 yards and Tobias Bonatti had 36 yards rushing and a touchdown as well.Thomas Pichlmann kicked four extra points.

Austrian QB Alexander Thury was superb scoring 2 TDs

Team Austria’s defense played an excellent game and silenced Team Denmark’s running game completely. Denmark mustered a total of 32 yards rushing with starting running back Lasse Lykke held to only 14 yards for the game.

Team Austria head coach Shuan Fatah:

“This game will be interesting. We have to get after their QB Juhlin who is a really good player. He really clicks with WR 84 who is his teammate at Carlsstad. We need to also control their powerful run game orchestrated by #5 [Emil Knutsson} and #25 {Victor Toresson} .Also our offense has to start fast and mistake free and our playmakers have to show up. Our offensive line is our best unit, and they have to prove it again keeping our QB Alexander Thury upright. We cleaned up the special teams and I expect a smooth performance there. If we can make it to the final, then this would mean this new Team Austria 2.0 would have already achieved what the old team did, and they are giving themselves a chance to write history.”

The Swedes beat Team Denmark on Tuesday playing tentatively at times. The Danes looked tired after playing Austria two days before and their errors became costly. Sweden trailed 14-0 but scored the next 30 points before the Danes scored in the last 30 seconds. Swedish quarterback Philip Juhlin completed 17 of 36 passes for 142 yards and a touchdown with receiver Tomas Jacobsen catching five of those passes for 56 yards and Jacob Dahre five for 41 and a touchdown. Victor Toresson rushed for 49 yards and a touchdown while Emil Knutsson,the Swedish league leader in rushing, scored as well while rushing for 28 yards. Juhlin had seven carries for 38 yards.

Team Sweden RB battling for yardage against Denmark Photo: Jari Turunen

Team Sweden head coach Andreas Ehrenreich:

“We anticipate a well fought game against Team Austria. They are a well-coached team with really good players. We will have to perform well, play smart and coach great to come out on top in this game. These types of games is why we do this – to be able to compete at the top level. Coach Shuan and i coached together in Atlanta 2000 (team Europe). I have great respect for him!”

Watch the game live presented by American Football International in partnership with Mobile-TV and YareTV. The stream is geo-blocked in Austria and Germany, but available on-line to the rest of our worldwide audience.