Team Germany will play host to Sweden as the 2024/25 IFAF U19 European Championships resume on Saturday, September 21 at the Hermann Löns Stadium in Paderborn as both nations vie for a berth in the championship group.
Both Germany and Sweden defeated Denmark in Group B, so the winner will join number one ranked Austria and either Finland, France or Italy from Group A in next year’s three-team round robin tournament that will crown the European champion.
Austria qualified as reigning champions and in June won the bronze medal at the IFAF U20 World Junior Championships in Canada by beating the United States in the third-place playoff game.
Germany defeated Denmark 48-6 in their earlier group game to remain unbeaten while Sweden won 38-7 to set up the winner takes all clash.
Running back Vilgot Valeskog anchors the Swedish national team. In the win over Denmark, he was the key rushing for 266 yards and five touchdowns.
Meanwhile, Germany will rely heavily on 17 year old quarterback Lenny Thoma who was the game MVP in the victory over the Danes. The German wide receiver corps is led by Tyler Foster, who has been with the team since 2022 and is now team captain for a second year.
Sweden has reached the final of the last three tournaments (2019, 2022 and 2023) but been thwarted by Austria each time.