IFAF European Championships: Poland, Italy, Switzerland and the Czech Republic headline weekend action as Georgia makes history

The 2026/27 IFAF Men’s European Championships continue October 10–11 with three games across Europe, featuring two intriguing Level 1 matchups and a historic international debut for Georgia.

With defending champion Austria already off to a flying start following its opening victory over Belgium, attention shifts to Poland, Switzerland and Georgia, three nations looking to make their mark after lengthy absences or limited international experience.

Poland welcomes three-time champion Italy

Poland faces a formidable opening assignment when it hosts three-time European champion Italy at Olympic Stadium in Wroclaw on Saturday, October 10. Kickoff is scheduled for 13:00 CEST.

The Polish national team is returning to European Championship competition for the first time since losing a qualifier to Czechia in 2018.

Italy, meanwhile, arrives with unfinished business after narrowly missing the bronze medal at the 2025 IFAF Final Four, falling to Finland by a single point.

The Italians have won three European titles, most recently in 2021, and possess considerable international experience. Veteran quarterback Luke Zahradka also helped Italy’s men’s flag football team capture silver at the 2026 IFAF World Flag Championships, securing qualification for the 2028 Olympics.

Poland head coach Jakub Samel knows exactly what awaits his team.

“Our first game will already be a huge challenge in these European Championships,” Samel said. “Italy is one of the strongest teams in Europe and has achieved great success in international competitions.”

Italian head coach Brian Michitti is equally aware of the challenge.

“We stumbled last year, but we bounced back. This year, we need a strong October from the start.”

Switzerland seeks to end decade-long drought

Saturday’s second Group D matchup sends the Czech Republic to Stadion Obere Au in Chur to face Switzerland, with kickoff at 18:00 CEST.

The Swiss have not won a European Championship game in ten years, something head coach Geoff Buffum hopes to change.

However, Czech Republic arrives with considerable momentum after an impressive 2024/25 campaign.

The Czechs stunned France with two fourth-quarter touchdowns to overturn a seven-point deficit before defeating Sweden and Denmark to finish fifth overall.

Head coach Martin Kocián believes his team can take another step forward.

“Following our successful last cycle, our goal is to take another step forward and qualify for the Final Four.”

For Switzerland, ending its lengthy losing streak against an ambitious opponent would represent a significant breakthrough.

Georgia makes historic IFAF debut

Sunday brings a landmark occasion in Tbilisi, where Georgia hosts the Great Britain Development Team in Level 2 competition at the Mukhianis Rugby Complex.

Kickoff is scheduled for 18:00 local time (16:00 CEST).

Although Georgia has previously played international friendlies against Kazakhstan and opponents from Turkey and Russia, this will be its first competitive IFAF appearance.

Under Scottish head coach Tom MacKay, the Georgians have assembled players from all six domestic league teams. The country’s transition from nine-man to 11-man football this season represents another important step forward.

Several players also bring rugby experience, adding physicality to a developing national program.

The British visitors are undergoing their own transformation.

Following a restructuring of the national team system, the Great Britain Development Team replaces the previous U19 program and features players averaging just 22.5 years old.

Head coach Adam Lillis will oversee 45 players earning their first senior national team caps.

“These are all players with huge potential looking to earn vital experience in order to step up to the GB Performance program in 2027,” Lillis said.

European championship picture taking shape

The opening weekend saw reigning champion Austria overwhelm Belgium, setting the early standard in Group A.

With Poland, Italy, Switzerland and the Czech Republic entering the competition this weekend, the battle for places in the 2027 championship semifinals begins to take shape.

Meanwhile, Georgia’s debut provides another reminder of how far international American football continues to spread.