Preview: Germany v. Austria – A Perfect Showdown; Hosts Aim for First International Title!
You are an American Football fan…
You live in Europe …
What? You are not coming to Vienna this Saturday?!?!
What is wrong with you ?!?!
INTRODUCTION
[su_dropcap]T[/su_dropcap]omorrow night Vienna will host the final chapter of the 2014 Eat the Ball European Championship at the beautiful Ernst-Happel-Stadium which has capacity for 50,000 fans! Kick-off is at 7 p.m. CET / 1 p.m. EST and reigning European Champion Germany will face the host country Austria for the finale of the tournament in one of the most anticipated matchup in European American Football history!
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GERMANY
Many people are aware that Germany has been an American Football powerhouse for many years. The Germans have by far the biggest federation in Europe (by numbers of players and teams). The GFL (German Football League) is also the most competitive and stable league on the continent. The German National Team reached the finale of the last four European Championships, winning twice in 2001 and 2010.
But Germany seems to not be as dominant as they used to be. Their national club league uses a lot of American import players at skill positions, which doesn’t encourage the development of German players for their National Team. Their Junior National Team (under 19 years old) hasn’t won the youth European Championship since 2008.
They were also placed in the easier group of this tournament. Having no trouble Finland in their first game (47-7), they struggled a bit to manage Sweden in their second game (52-40) in Group A.
Germany is led by a young, promising quarterback, #8 Marco Ehrenfried. Talented, but with little experience in big games, it is his first tournament as the starting QB for the National Team (and actually his first season as a starter for his club team, the Schwäbisch Hall Unicorns). He will have to step up big time.
On offense, the Germans use a spread formation and often go no huddle to compliment their power running game which is led by running back #2 Danny Washington. Washington has had a monster tournament thus far with 396 yards 7 touchdowns and almost 11 yards per carry in the first two games! Typical German physical football, they pound the rock and use play actions.
Check out Washington’s speed below!
The German defense will have to bounce back after a rough outing against Sweden. They gave up 40 points and allowed 425 yards, but their 6 interceptions saved the day. They will have their hands full with the red and white Austrian offense.
