Austria are the IFAF U19 European champions beating Sweden for the fourth time in succession but were pushed all the way by a determined Swedish team in a thrilling title decider, eventually winning 34-31.
Unbeaten on European soil since 2001, Austria trailed 28-24 in the fourth quarter having squandered a 17-point lead as Sweden capitalized on five turnovers. Sweden tied the game at 31-31 just before the two-minute warning, but home kicker Elija Heiss nailed a 43-yard field goal to secure victory and finally break a spirited Swedish challenge.
"This last two-minute drill is a scenario we went through in training," said Austria head coach Florien Grein. "Elija did not miss a single kick against Finland and Sweden, so I was sure he would deliver in the crucial moment. Our entire coaching staff does an immense job; they deserve this title. For me, it's very special: I was already there in 2011 during the first title, but back then not as head coach - now this title is of course very special." Sweden head coach Sebastian Brinkenfeldt said: "The game went as we hoped. Austria is a very good team and it was a great fight. I am very impressed with my boys and how they fought. It hurts to lose, of course, but that's how it is. It was closer than ever this time, so we hope to continue the trend at the next European Championship."With Finland already assured of third place overall, two placement games played on Saturday saw a resurgent Germany claim fourth place with a stunning 88-0 win in Denmark. Sixth spot in the European standings was claimed by Italy as they defeated Czechia 13-6.
Bronze medalists at the IFAF U20 World Championships in Edmonton, Canada, last summer, Austria looked to have secured their latest U19 triumph in the first quarter as they raced to a 17-0 lead.
Following a 33-yard Heiss field goal and having forced and recovered a fumble on Sweden’s first possession, Austria led 10-0 through an 11-yard touchdown run by Dean Opara. Quarterback Kilian Zivko then found Maximillian Fellner in the corner of the end zone on Austria’s next drive with a 21-yard scoring pass to take control of the title decider.
The momentum shifted briefly when Sweden’s Caj Ekstrom recovered a fumble and returned the ball all the way to the end zone and the lead was cut to ten points. Austria struck back as quarterback Zivko took a pitch on a double pass play and raced 50 yards down the left sideline for a touchdown and a 24-7 advantage.
Sweden was forced to punt from its own end zone but took advantage of another turnover to stay in the game. Ville Bjuremar produced an interception at the line of scrimmage then after receptions by Justin Boney for crucial gains, Dominik Kapas punched the ball in from the one-yard mark.
Austria’s attempts to extend their lead were quashed when Leo Sundman intercepted Zivko and the score remained 24-14 at halftime after a fourth Sweden defensive turnover.
Sweden’s impact on the second half was immediate as Boney returned the kickoff 75 yards for a touchdown and Austria’s lead was trimmed to only three points. Austria then turned the ball over at their own eight-yard mark after the ball was snapped high over the punter’s head and Kapas powered in for his second touchdown of the game. Sweden led for the first time, 28-24.
A pass interference call moved the ball for Austria on fourth down inside the fourth quarter and Tobias Reisenbichler’s run off the right end swung the score back in Austria’s favor as they led 31-18. Austria’s defense then stifled a promising Sweden drive who had to settle for a 30-yard field goal from Oscar Hardarsson despite a low snap and the game was tied.
Kevin Jonas Limmen came up with a timely sack on third down as Sweden’s offense misfired then having almost blocked the resulting punt, Austria came within a yard of moving the chains on Reisenbichler’s determined catch.
Then up stepped Heiss with the game-winning field goal from distance with 41 seconds remaining.
2024/25 IFAF Under 19s European Championships Medal Rounds Sunday, April 20: Finland 14 Austria 41 Saturday, May 10: Sweden 24 Finland 21 (OT) Sunday, September 21: Austria 34 Sweden 31
2024/25 IFAF Under 19s European Championships Placement Games Saturday, April 19: Germany 55 Italy 0 Sunday, April 20: Denmark 27 Czechia 18 September 20: Denmark 0 Germany 88 September 20: Italy 13 Czechia 6
Final Standings:
- Austria
- Sweden
- Finland
- Germany
- Denmark
- Italy
- Czechia
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