It all comes down to this weekend.
There are four games remaining in the group stages of the IFAF 2024/25 IFAF European Championships, with eight teams still in contention for the four semifinal places at stake.
The equation is simple for six of the teams in action this week: win and you’re in. The others will be watching from afar to see how the group standings shake out to determine the playoff and placement games to be played next year.
Group A will be the last to conclude when Austria (1-0) takes on Serbia (0-1) in Salzburg on Sunday at 1pm CET. Reigning European champions Austria will clinch the number one playoff seed if they defeat a Serbian team that dramatically lost in overtime at home to Hungary last week. A defeat for the Serbs will mean they finish third in the group behind Hungary (1-1).
Saturday features three games, with one of the most intriguing at the Myyrmäen jalkapallostadion in Vantaa where last year’s silver medalists Finland (1-0) host a French team looking to bounce back from a surprise home defeat to Czechia (1-0). A France (0-1) win would create a three-way tie with points differential the tiebreaker with the teams level head-to-head. Otherwise, Finland would advance as the second seed in the semifinals with Czechia finishing second.
Italy (1-0) and Denmark (1-0) have both beaten Switzerland in Group C so the winner of their clash in Milan will advance, while the loser finishes second. They meet at the Vigorelli Velodrome at 6pm CET on Saturday.
Similarly in Krefeld, Germany (1-0) welcomes Sweden (1-0) to Grotenburg Stadion on the back of last weekend’s dominant 49-11 win over Great Britain, who the Swedes edged 20-19 a week earlier. That game kicks off at 5pm CET on Saturday.
October 26: Finland vs France, Myyrmäen jalkapallostadion, Vanaa, kickoff 11.30am CET
The task at hand for Finland in Group B is straightforward, but for 2018 champions France their chance to compete in the medal rounds is on the line and presents a major challenge.
Finland opened two weeks ago with a 28-6 victory in Czechia, so another win or a tie will clinch the second seed going into the playoffs. France, however, must win while also taking care of a points differential deficit to top the group on the tiebreaker.
Finland head coach Mikko Koikkalainen is taking nothing for granted, saying: “France is one of the most talented teams on the continent, with players who are always in high demand across various European clubs.”
October 26: Germany vs Sweden, Grotenburg Stadion, Krefeld, kickoff 5pm CET
Germany’s return after a ten-year absence from international competition was a triumphant one as they brushed aside Great Briain 49-11 on the road last weekend. Sweden edged past the Lions who missed two extra points when they met two weeks ago, so both teams know that a win will guarantee a place in the semifinals, although Germany can advance from Group D with a tie.
Ranked 12th at the conclusion of the tournament due to the long period away from competing internationally, a Germany group win would set up an intriguing semifinals clash with Austria should the reigning champion also progress. The last times those nations met in the 2014 European Championship final, Germany won its last and third title in front of more than 27,000 spectators at the Ernst Happel Stadium in Vienna.
Germany might have won four straight Euro crowns, but for Saturday’s opponent Sweden who beat then in the 2005 final. Last year’s fourth-place finisher will no doubt be aiming to play spoiler again and advance themselves.
October 26: Italy vs Denmark, Vigorelli Velodrome, Milan, kickoff 6pm CET
Italy scored 45 unanswered points in beating Switzerland two weeks ago and last year’s bronze medalists, who have their sights set on repeating their 2021 title triumph, now face a Danish team that beat Switzerland 27-7 a week ago.
Two quarterbacks who have lit up Group C go head-to-head in Luke Zahradka of Italy and Denmark’s Alexander Bjerre.
“In our first game we played well but made several mistakes, leaving us with plenty to work on,” says Italy head coach Brian Michitti. “Our next opponent has demonstrated strong talent and excellent coaching. As always, we’ll approach this week of preparation with the intensity and focus of any championship game.”
Italy is one of Europe’s most decorated nations having won three European championships (1983, 1987, 2021) including the inaugural tournament, three silver medals and two bronze. Denmark is yet to feature in the medal rounds.
October 27: Austria vs Serbia, American Football Zentrum, Salzburg, kickoff 1pm CET
Already dominant having opened with a 58-3 win over Hungary, Austria debuts at the state-of-the-art facility for American Football home of the Salzburg Ducks boosted by the return of one of its most celebrated players, former New York Giants practice squad running back Sandro Platzgummer.
The one-time star of the Swarco Raiders Tirol said: “I'm looking forward to seeing familiar faces in the Austrian national team again and at the same time getting to know the next generation of talented American football players. It is a great honor to be part of this team.”
Head Coach Max Sommer added: “I’m pleased that Sandro is returning to the national team after a long break. This certainly speaks for our program, that a player of his caliber, who was under contract with the New York Giants, wants to play for Austria.”
Serbia takes on the reigning European champions – who finally claimed the continental crown last year having finished second in 2014 and 2018 – having tied Hungary with a spectacular blocked extra point returned for two points last week, only to lose in overtime.
2024/25 IFAF European Championships Level 1 Group Stages
Group A Austria 1-0 Hungary 1-1 Serbia 0-1
October 12 Hungary 3 Austria 58 October 19 Serbia 19 vs Hungary 25 October 27 Austria vs Serbia, Salzburg
Group B Finland 1-0 Czechia 1-1 France 0-1
October 13 Czechia 6 Finland 28 October 20 France 7 Czechia 14 October 26 Finland vs France, Vantaa
Group C Italy 1-0 Denmark 1-0 Switzerland 0-2
October 12 Switzerland 0 Italy 45 October 19 Denmark 27 Switzerland 7 October 26 Italy vs Denmark, Milan
Group D Germany 1-0 Sweden 1-0 Great Britain 0-2
October 13 Sweden 20 Great Britain 19 October 19 Great Britain 11 vs Germany 49 October 26 Germany vs Sweden, Krefeld
