Austria punches ticket to 4th straight European Junior gold medal game

AFI | 2017 IFAF Paris U19 European Championship | 07/15/2017

For the 4th time in a row, Austria will be in the final of the U19 European Championship. Photo: © Herbert Kratky)

Austria’s triple champions prevailed in the IFAF Paris European Junior Championship semi-final Friday blanking a surprising Team Italy 19-0.

Team Austria moves on to the gold medal final Sunday to face Team France who shocked many by edging Germany 7-0.

However, the Austrians had to work hard against a surprisingly stubborn Italian national junior team and managed only two field goals in the first half before scoring a later touchdown to lead 12-0 going into the break.

However, Austria’s stout defense kept Team Italy in check the entire game. The Austrians added another touchdown in the third quarter and then kept Italy under control, finishing the game with an interception.

This marks the fourth consecutive time Team Austria has advanced to the gold medal final and a win Sunday would give the Austrians an unprecedented four straight title.

In addition to Austria, only Germany (1998, 2000 and 2008) and Finland (92, 94 and 96) have won the U19 EC three times. In fact, Austria’s U19 National team is unbeaten since 2011. At that time, Team Austria beat France in Sevilla, Spain to win their first title.Then two years later, in Cologne, Germany, they defeated France again. Finally, in 2015 Team Austria turned away Germany in Dresden, Germany for a threepeat.