The first four games of the 2024/25 IFAF European Championships saw the top quartet of Level 1 seeds secure victory and men’s international tackle football is set to continue across the continent this weekend.
Austria, Finland, Italy and Sweden - all winners last week - now sit back on October 19 and 20 to see which of the other teams in their respective groups are going to mount a challenge.
In Group A, Hungary looks to bounce back from a 58-3 loss to reigning champions Austria when traveling to Zrenjanin in Serbia on Saturday (kickoff 2pm CET). Group B sees France open its campaign on Sunday at Villeneuve d'Ascq in Lille (kickoff 2pm CET) at home to a Czechia side that put in a brave performance in a 28-6 loss to last year’s silver medalists Finland.
Beaten 45-0 by Italy, Switzerland travels to Gentofte in the Copenhagen suburbs to take on Denmark on Saturday (kickoff 4pm CET) as the Danes make their Group C bow. Great Britain hopes home advantage will give them an edge in Group D at Butts Arena in Coventry against Germany on Saturday (kickoff 4pm) having agonizingly lost by a single point in Sweden last weekend.
Level 2 action begins on Saturday at Navan Rugby Club near Dublin when Ireland takes on the Netherlands (kickoff 5pm)
2024/25 IFAF European Championships Level 1 Group Stages Schedule
Group A: Austria, Serbia, Hungary October 12 Hungary 3 Austria 58 October 19 Serbia (0-0) vs Hungary (0-1) Zrenjanin October 27 Austria vs Serbia Salzburg
Group B: Finland, France, Czechia October 13 Czechia 6 Finland 28 October 20 France (0-0) vs Czechia (0-1) Lille October 26 Finland vs France Vantaa
Group C: Italy, Denmark, Switzerland October 12 Switzerland 0 Italy 45 October 19 Denmark (0-0) vs Switzerland (0-1) Kopenhagen October 26 Italy vs Denmark Milan
Group D: Sweden, Great Britain, Germany October 13 Sweden 20 Great Britain 19 October 19 Great Britain (0-1) vs Germany (0-0) Coventry October 26 Germany vs Sweden Krefeld
2024/25 IFAF European Championships Level 2 Group Stages Schedule
October 19 Ireland (0-0) vs Netherlands (0-0) Navan November 3 Turkey vs Ireland Ankara November 17 Netherlands vs Turkey Arnhem
October 19: Serbia vs Hungary, Zrenjanin, kickoff 2pm CET
The eighth seed hosts the ninth seed as Serbia plays for the first time this campaign under new head coach Bojan Kovačević and welcomes Hungary, who look to bounce back from a 58-3 loss to reigning champions Austria last weekend.
“We are expecting a tough and closely contested match,” says Kovačević. “We enter this game with respect for the quality of our opponent but also with confidence in our own abilities. If we maintain unity and composure during the difficult moments of the match, I believe we will achieve victory.”
Hungary lost several key players to retirement and were without star player Jebrai Regannek against Austria as he was unavailable for personal reasons.
“Two years ago, we lost both of our group stage games in the European Championship, so we would like to make one step forward and after the home field loss versus Austria we’re traveling to Serbia to record our first win,” said head coach Ferenc Sződy. “I know that this quest won't be easy at all because Serbia always has tough players so I’m looking forward to an intense, physical game this Saturday.”
October 19: Denmark vs Switzerland, Gentofte, Kopenhagen, kickoff 4pm CET
Switzerland had no answer to the constant rain or relentless Italians in a 45-point loss last weekend and now travel to face the sixth seed Danes who have their sights set on a win to set up a winner-takes-all clash with Italy.
“Our goal is clear: we aim to be among the top four teams in Europe, which means we need to win the group,” says Denmark head coach Jacob Zinck Thellufsen.
“Our knowledge of Switzerland is primarily based on last year’s matches and last week against Italy. Swiss teams have shown high quality. Therefore, we approach the game with humility, knowing it's a team with skilled players.
“One of our major advantages is that all our players are in top form, coming off the season that just ended. This gives us an edge over other teams that may not have had the same continuity. Therefore, we can focus on optimizing teamwork.”
October 20: France vs Czechia, Villeneuve d'Ascq., Lille, kickoff 2pm CET
France faces a Czech team that fought hard and put up a brave performance in a 28-6 loss to last year’s silver medalists Finland.
The last time these two nations met was in 2019 with Czechia trailing by only 7-0 at half-time, but before losing 28-3.
France head coach Jean-Philippe Dinglor believes his team is stronger than the seventh- place overall rank based on last year’s tournament and is targeting a place in the final four.
“The keys to winning remain the same: be disciplined, limit mistakes, and execute well,” says Dinglor. “The Czechs have a strong ground game, while the Finns have a solid and aggressive defense.
“The goal, of course, is to win both games to qualify for the final four again. We must be among the top four European teams in every campaign.”
October 19: Great Britain vs Germany, Butts Arena, Coventry, kickoff 4pm
Great Britain would have opened the 2025/25 tournament with a notable win away to Sweden, but the fifth seed Lions had two extra points blocked in a tough 20-19 defeat at the Sola Arena in Karlstad. Now they face the sleeping giant of European American football, a resurgent Germany, at Butts Arena in Coventry.
“Butts Park is a great venue, and seeing the crowds at Britbowl this last summer is proof that if we work together; the Britball community can do amazing things,” said GB head coach Jason Scott.
“It would be incredible to get the nation behind us, supporting these fantastic athletes who have worked so hard all year. I’m hoping to see a loud, passion at crowd in Coventry on October 19.”Three-time European champions Germany return after a ten-year absence from international competition and under the guidance of head coach Shuan Fatah aim to recapture former glories. Their last game at this level was in 2014, a 30-27 gold medal game victory over Austria.
“Now, we are at a turning point, ushering in a new era with talented new players,” says head coach Shuan Fatah. “We all understand the legacy we carry, and every player knows the responsibility that comes with wearing this jersey.
“I firmly believe that if there’s one nation whose players can handle pressure, it’s Germany. These athletes compete week after week on Europe’s biggest stages in front of the largest crowds. I’m confident that this pressure will only fuel our determination.”
The winners of each group advance to the final four in 2025. The semifinal and placement matchups will be determined by the highest seed facing the lowest seed in each of the three brackets.
October 19: Ireland vs Netherlands, Navan Rugby Club, Navan, kickoff 5pm
Competing at Level 2 with promotion to the top flight the target for Ireland, the Netherlands and Turkey, whose campaign begins this Saturday, October 19.
The Irish Wolfhounds have been preparing for the upcoming Euros at the National Sports Campus in Blanchardstown and their ranks include an influx of players from the nation’s U19 team that recently played against Great Britain at the Global Ireland Football Tournament (GIFT) as part of the annual Aer Lingus College Football Classic played annually in Dublin.
“The growth in the Wolfhounds player group is reflective of the growth of the game here in Ireland,” explains head coach Ciaran O’Sullivan. “American Football Ireland’s partnership with the NFL Steelers, Jaguars and Jets has boosted the youth game here. The senior Wolfhounds are benefiting from this growth as we welcome players who have graduated from our youth team. This injection of youth changes the dynamic in the team as it drives improvement and competition for places.
“All of the players, coaches and support staff are firmly behind our philosophy of growing the team and everyone is working together to improve on and off the field. The mix of youth and experience working like this results in a very exciting brand of football.”
The Dutch Lions are among the early pioneers of American football in Europe and claimed the bronze medal at the 1991 Euros, beating France 17-12. The Netherlands return to the international stage for the first time since 2016.
Photo: @Noa.Monn
