Swedish champions, the Stockholm Mean Machines, seem intent on
defending their title with the signing of one of the top European quarterbacks, Team Austria’s Alexander Thury.
The 6’1″, 201 lb, 24 year old Thury from Vienna, Austria, is a product of the Vienna Vikings and has been the Austrian national team quarterback since 2014. He started at quarterback for the Vikings for two seasons (2015, 2016) taking the team to the Austrian final in 2015.
In and injury-shortened season in 2018 with the Marburg Mercenaries in the German Football League, Thury threw for 1,747 yards and 15 touchdowns, averaging 194 yards a game.
This past season, Thury led the Austrian national team to the silver medal in the European Championships.
Thury was asked about signing with the Mean Machines:
“I have heard very good things about the Mean Machines and about Stockholm as a city. After talking to coach Pilbäck, offensive coordinator Fred Armstrong and the other import players, it was ultimately an easy choice. The fact that we get the chance to play football at an international level during the season is an important bonus.”
What do you expect from the season?
“My goal is to help develop the young, talented players within the Mean Machines and of course to win a new title. But in the end, your own performance is the only thing you can control and you can be sure that I will always give everything for Mean Machines in 2019. Then the remaining pieces will fall into place by themselves.”
How would you describe yourself as a player?
“I am a player who brings energy and a positive attitude to each practice. I love American football and have been fortunate enough to play for, and learn from, some of the best in the European football, and look forward to bringing this forward. That I have played in both the Austrian highest league with Vienna Vikings and the German with Marburg Mercenaries is experience that I bring and it feels inspiring to add the Swedish Super Series and Stockholm Mean Machines to that list.”
Check out Alexander Thury’s highlights from 2018
