October 12: Hungary vs Austria, Kincsem Park, Budapest, kickoff 2pm CET

Head coach Max Sommer led Austria to a first-ever men’s tackle title in 2023, having been runners up in 2014 and 2018, and faces a Hungary team that beat Czechia into ninth place last year.

“After a break of almost a year, we are of course already full of anticipation to bring our national team together again,” says Sommer. “The team will have a different face. Young, motivated players are moving up in many important positions, who at the same time have big shoes to fill.”

In 2023, wide receiver and Austrian captain Philipp Haun claimed the MVP honors as he caught three touchdowns in a 28-0 victory over Finland to delight the 6,419 spectators at the NV Arena in St. Pölten.

“We are very happy to finally be back on the field as a team after the long-awaited European Championship title in 2023,” said Haun. “The goal is clear: defend the European championship title.”

Hungary head coach Ferenc Sződy, leads a team that beat Czechia last year to secure ninth place in the European rankings.

“There are positions where key players have since retired and others are injured, so we will start our cohesion with a fairly new 75-man squad,” said Sződy.

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