The two finalists from the 2021 IFAF Men’s European Championship, defending champions, Team Italy, and silver medalists Sweden, square off Saturday, October 28 in Gothenburg, Sweden to decide the bronze medal winner in the 2023 IFAF Men’s European Championship.
Sweden were eliminated from title contention in early August when they were beaten 33-14 by arch rivals, Finland. Meanwhile, Italy, who won the title in 2021, were defeated by Team Austria 24-14 in a tough battle in Innsbruck.
Team Sweden and head coach BD Kennedy will be relying on a pair of young quarterbacking talents, Viktor Wessberg and Ture Nilsson, to lead the team. Meanwhile, the backfield features Kasper Wedberg, the 2023 rushing leader in Sweden’s Superserien (Örebro Black Knights) and Oliver Lundberg Coleman (Tyresö Royal Crowns). The receiving corps is led by Edvin Almeida (Tyresö Royal Crowns), and Theodor Landström who had an outstanding year with the Barcelona Dragons in the European League of Football catching 56 passes for 805 yards and eight touchdowns.
Watch live PPV. Sweden vs Italy, Oct. 28, 13:00 CET (1 pm, 7 am EDT)
Defensively, Kennedy will rely on veteran linebacker Mattias Eriksson (Carlstad Crusaders), who led the Superserien in tackles in 2023, as well as his teammate Alex Gudding and Black Knights linebacker Edvin Jönsson.
For Italy, head coach Davide Giuliano brings a veteran squad to Sweden led by quarterback Luke Zahradka (Milano Seamen) who was the third leading passer in the European League of Football this past season after having thrown for 3,518 yards and 25 touchdowns. The backfield is anchored by veteran running back Mike Gentili who powered the Schwäbisch Hall Unicorns into the German Football League title game. Gentili rushed for 1,305 yards and nine touchdowns in 2023. Seamen wideout Tamsir Seck leads a talented receiving corps.
On defense, Giuliano will look to Seamen linebacker Diego Rinaldi who had 45 tackles in 2023.