Thrilling finish seals Danube Dragons victory over Graz Giants in Austrian Football League top clash

The undefeated Danube Dragons (3-0) survived a heart-stopping 17-16 victory over the Graz Giants (2-1) in a fiercely contested Austrian Football League showdown at Vienna’s SR Donaufeld, decided by a failed two-point conversion with three seconds remaining.

Defensive Standoff Opens Thriller
The Danube Dragons and Graz Giants delivered a physical AFL showdown marked by defensive intensity. A scoreless first quarter saw both teams stifle offensive efforts, with the Dragons missing an early field goal attempt. The stalemate broke in the second quarter when Dragons QB Alexander Reischl (league MVP contender) engineered a masterful drive. Under pressure, he connected on critical passes and executed a trick play to set up Michael Schachermayer’s 1-yard TD catch. Thorsten Tannert’s extra point gave the hosts a 7-0 halftime lead.

Reischl Shines, Giants Stumble in 3rd Quarter
Graz’s Leo Liptak narrowed the gap with a 45-yard field goal in the third, but self-inflicted wounds cost the Giants dearly. Three penalties on the ensuing drive handed the Dragons prime field position, allowing Reischl to scramble for a 3-yard TD. Tannert’s kick extended the lead to 14-3. Graz responded with a promising drive led by QB Mateo Renteria, but a touchdown was nullified by a penalty, forcing a turnover early in the fourth.

Dramatic Fourth-Quarter Comeback Falls Short
After a Dragons field goal (17-3) off Marcel Stefanek’s interception, Graz launched a furious rally. Renteria connected with Jakob Schneeberger for a late TD (17-10), then orchestrated a 72-yard drive in the final 2:41. With 3 seconds left, Renteria punched in a 3-yard TD, trimming the deficit to 16-17. Opting against overtime, Coach Stefan Pokorny called a high-risk two-point conversion, but Renteria’s pass fell incomplete, sealing the Dragons’ nail-biting win.

Coaches Reflect on Physical Battle
Dragons OC Florian Pos praised the defensive duel: “The best defenses in the league… We’ll take the win by one point.” Giants HC Pokorny lauded his team’s resilience: “An incredibly physical game… We still need our strength.”

Key Stats & Implications

• Reischl: 2 total TDs, 145+ passing yards
• Giants’ 13 fourth-quarter points nearly erased 14-3 deficit
• Dragons (4-0) solidify AFL lead; Giants (2-2) rue penalties (6+ infractions)

The result sets up a potential playoff rematch between these title contenders, with both coaches acknowledging the game’s playoff-level intensity.