The Triangle Razorbacks from Denmark head to Vienna, Austria, Sunday, April 14 to play the Dacia Vienna Vikings in the first round of the 2019 European Club Team Competition, ECTC,
A total of 13 teams are competing in the ECTC from 11 different countries – Austria, France, Sweden, Serbia, Finland, Turkey, Denmark, Spain, Switzerland, Italy and Poland – including seven teams who will play in the Central European Football League tournament.
The Razorbacks, 2018 Danish finalists, are led by quarterback Reed Gottula, (Fort Hays, NCAA Div II) and running back Geoffrey Lewis. Add to this speedy Niko Lester along with Canadian wide receiver Ben von Jagow, and the Razorbacks can score, in Denmark. Triangle has played one game in the Danish National League this season, a 45-42 win over the Aalborg 89ers.
The last time the Razorbacks ventured out into international competition was in 2017 and it did not go well. Triangle played in the Central European Football League in 2017 losing to the Swarco Raiders 35-0 and then to Poland’s Wroclaw Panthers 34-14.
The last Vienna Vikings appearance in an international competition was in April 2016 when the Vikings lost to the then reigning Big6 Champion, the Braunschweig New Yorker Lions, 21-14. The last international game Vienna played was in 2018 when they were surprised by Finland’s Helsinki Roosters in an international friendly, losing 41-37.
The Vikings enter this game with a 2-1 record from the Austrian Football League with their only loss coming at the hands of the Swarco Raiders.
The offense, behind the play of quarterback Austin Herink, has performed well. Herink has thrown for 753 yards and 11 touchdowns with Bernhard Seikovits as his favorite target after catching 17 passes for 276 yards and four touchdowns. The Vikings ground game has undergone some improvement and is now averaging 140 yards a game with running back Islaam Amadu having rushed for 184 yards and two touchdowns in three games.
Vienna’s latest addition is defensive back Dustin Rivas (Colorado Mesa University) who will be making his debut Sunday.
Dacia Vienna Vikings Head Coach Chris Calaycay:
“We really don’t know what to expect from Razorbacks. They just started their season last Sunday with a win, so we are going to scout them a little bit and get ready for our match-up. They have been traditionally one of the best teams in Denmark, I am sure that they will come here to Vienna to compete”
Triangle Razorbacks head coach Kristian Worm:
“We are looking forward to the European competitions. Austria is known as one of the strongest leagues in Europe, and the Vienna Vikings have been a top team with a great professional organization through the past many years. Vienna will be a tough opponent and a big test for us Triangle Razorbacks, but we are excited to visit the famous Vikings’ home field Hohe Warte and be a part of a great game.”
Watch the game live here. Triangle Razorbacks @Dacia Vienna Vikings, Sunday, April 14, 3p CEDT (9a EDT)
