Austria, a nation of flag football firsts, headlines the all-European Group D at the 2024 World Championships.

The Austrians won the inaugural world championship in 2002, added the first European title a year later and then defended their world crown in 2004. Another world gold followed in 2012 and add in two fourth place finishes and Austria can claim to be the second-most successful nation on the world stage behind only the United States.

On the continental level, Austria has contested medals in Europe on all but two occasions, winning gold in 2003, silver three times (2023, 2015 and 2011) and bronze twice (2009 and 2013).

In 2022 at The World Games, wins over Germany and Mexico, coupled with a loss to Italy earned second place in Group A which was followed by a win over Panama in the quarterfinals. Eventual winners USA proved too strong in the semifinals and then in the bronze medal game Mexico gained revenge with a close 39-35 win.

Last summer in Ireland, Austria were one of two unbeaten teams heading into the championship game. In a thrilling continental decider Austria held Germany in check until just before halftime but were unable to close a gap that eventually turned into a 38-26 German victory.

Head coach Michael Salamon will continue in his role, and will hand offensive coordinator duties over to Florian Hazdra, with the aim that Austria will again be explosive with the ball in their hands. Defensive duties have passed to a new coordinator in former player Ulrich Prettenthaler.

Switzerland and Ukraine are paired together again, as they were at the European continental tournament last summer. On that occasion the Swiss won 46-6 as they blazed to a 4-0 record and were at that stage the competition’s joint-highest scorers with 192 points. But there was no way past six-time winners and defending champions Denmark in the quarterfinals and the deflated Swiss also lost a placement game to Great Britain.

Ukraine lost their opening two games in Limerick, but rallied to defeat Finland and Ireland, then finished on a high with a placement victory over Belgium.

“It was wonderful to have an opportunity to play with everything that is going on in our homeland,” said Ukraine’s Oleksandr Falko. “Some guys who played with us are not with us anymore, so we are trying to play our best for them. We play with patience, and we play with heart, and we will do the best that we can.”

Poland was unable to secure a win from a tough Euros group that included perennial winners Denmark and eventual champions Germany. They too ended on a positive note with a win over Slovakia and will look to improve to upset the rankings in Lahti.