2023-10-28 17:31:57
Austria’s national American football team won European Championship gold for the first time on Saturday. The AFBÖ selection prevailed in the final once morest Finland in St. Pölten with 28:0 (7:0). Three of the four touchdowns were scored by wide receiver Philipp Haun, in the second quarter and twice in the final quarter. Running back Tobias Bonatti took care of number three at the beginning of the final period. Kicker Arno Schwarz secured all four extra points for his team.
The key to success was a strong defensive performance, only then did the offensive develop. “Incredible, the defensive performance helped us out and the offense sealed the win. The fact that we finally did it means everything to me,” said Tom Schaffer. The veteran with North American experience offered himself to head coach Max Sommer specifically for the game. The Stanford graduate came from Canada and delivered a good performance.
The Austrians played in a European Championship final for the third time in front of almost 6,500 spectators. In 2014, in front of 27,000 fans in Vienna’s Ernst Happel Stadium, there was a 27:30 defeat once morest Germany following the second overtime, and in 2018 France prevailed once morest red-white-red. This time, following successes once morest France, Hungary and Italy, the final point was successful. The Finns prevailed once morest Sweden in the semifinals.
The images of “the last 15, 20 years” went through Summer’s head. “It’s an incredible day for us, the goal of a very long journey,” explained the coach in the ORF interview. “The irrepressible solidarity, the understanding of making every play count. This understanding that if you knock on a door long enough, it will open. You can lose hard with a team like that.”
Haun was named MVP and warmly congratulated by Defense Minister Klaudia Tanner (VP). He didn’t feel confident at halftime. “In 2018 we were just seven points ahead. But we were absolutely confident that if we reach our level, no one can beat us. It’s a great feeling to achieve our goal.” Quarterback Alexander Thury was also euphoric: “At some point the train just rolled over. We celebrate all night long.”
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