On Sunday, the Austrian American football national team met the team from Serbia in the IFAF European Championship 2024/25. With the victory over Serbia (final score: 78:0), the AFBÖ will face Germany in the semi-finals.
INNSBRUCK/SALZBURG. On Sunday the game between the Austrian American football national team and the Serbian national team took place in Salzburg. The game was played in the Salzburg Ducks‘ new American football center “Ducks Pond” in Salzburg. The Austrian national team (AFBÖ team) was considered the favorite for the game against Serbia. Team Austria was already able to beat the Serbs in 2021 (48:6). The Austrians had already won 58:3 against Hungary. Serbia lost to Hungary 19:25.
Raiders Tyrol and Tyrolean players in the Rooster against Serbia
There were also players in the Rooster Rider Tirol lined up: Jan Mayerhofer, Vincent Müller (both defensive back), Philipp Töpferberger (defensive line), Thomas Aronokhale (offensive line), Tobias Bonatti, Lukas Haslwanter (both running back), David Kanyinda, Richard Weber (both tight end), Philipp Haun (wide receiver) as well as the former Raiders and NFL player, the Tyrolean Sandro Platzgummer (Stuttgart Surge) in his position of running back. He returned to the national team after more than six years. Also in the team is the Tyrolean Christoph Nitzlnader (defensive back at the Munich Ravens).
Superior Austrians are already leading in the first quarter
The Austrian team scores the first points of the game and takes a three-point lead with a field goal after a few minutes of play. But Team Austria showed what they could do. Scored in the first quarter Yannick Mayr the first touchdown of the game. Also the PAT (Point after Touchdwon) through Oscar Herz (Vienna Vikings) worked. The Austrians took a 10-0 lead. The Serbian national team’s problems soon became apparent.
The second touchdown also came off Yannick Mayr. With the PAT, the Austrian team takes a 17-0 lead. The Austrians’ superiority was already evident in the first quarter: the Serbs only got into the Austrian half of the game at Kick OFF. Any attack by the Serbs will be stopped immediately. They also don’t do well with the running game. Increased shortly before the end of the first quarter Fabian Eder with another touchdown and PAT to make it 24-0.
The second quarter begins with a touchdown by Team Austria
Just a few minutes after the start of the second quarter, another touchdown was scored for the Austrian national team. Here shows Sandro Platzgummer his skills – he skillfully bypasses the Serbs’ defense. 30:00 for Austria – the following PAT didn’t work. After the Serbian defense was able to prevent a touchdown, the Austrian team scored another touchdown a little later – instead of a PAT, the team tried a two-point conversion. However, the throw was out of bounce. New score after a touchdown Philipp Haun: 36:0. In the second quarter there was another touchdown – the sixth of this game Fabian Ederreceiver for the Vienna Vikings. After a PAT the score is 43-0.
Nothing new in the second half
Team Austria starts the second half with the offense. Even at the beginning of the third quarter, the Serbian national team can hardly move. The Serbs’ long passing game ends with an interception Florian Albrecht (Defensive Back, Vikings)- the start of a seventh touchdown with a PAT (50:0). Emil Eckerstoffer. The next move of the Serbs’ offense was also intercepted, which led to the next touchdown attempt by Sandro Platzgummer. However, this does not count after a flag because of a panalty after a face mask.
In the third quarter, the Serbs also managed an interception – although they were just short of their own end zone. Another touchdown through Philipp Haun increases the score to 57:0 after a successful PAT. Touchdown number nine goes up Tobias Bonatti: New score after PAT: 64:0 – Tobias Bonatti was also able to score a touchdown against the game against Hungary. Another interception also goes to Florian Albrecht. Lukas Haslwanter scores his first touchdown of the game around six minutes before the end of the game. The new score after a PAT is 71-0. Increased about a minute before the end of the game Nils Keimel (Wide Receiver, Vienna Vikings) with another touchdown and PAT to make it 78:0.
11 touchdowns for Team Austria
- Yannik Mayr: two TDs
- Fabien Eder: two TDs
- Philipp Haun: two TDs
- Sandro Platzgummer: a TD
- Emil Eckerstofer: one TD
- Tobias Bonatti: a TD
- Lukas Haslwanter: one TD
- Nils Keimel: a TD
Quarterback Nico Hroud threw four touchdown passes, his backup Alexander Reischl three.
“The boys came out and let off some fireworks – exactly what these fans and the stadium deserved.” (Team boss Max Sommer)
Semi-final against Germany
Germany is also confirmed as a semi-finalist. Germany defeated Great Britain (49:11) and Sweden (42:6). France was already eliminated in the preliminary round after losing to the Czech Republic and Finland. The Finns will face Italy in the second semi-final. Germany is taking part in a European American Football Championship for the first time since 2014. The two semi-finals will then take place in autumn 2025.
Austria is the reigning world champion after defeating Italy last year. Team Austria was runner-up twice and third twice. Germany has already been European champion three times, runner-up three times and third four times. In 2014 the Austrians lost against Germany 27:30.
More on the topic
Further articles about the Raiders Tirol
Sandro Platzgummer returns to the national team
Austria wins the European Championship final against Finland 28-0
