Austria: Danube Dragons edge Salzburg Ducks in defensive playoff primer

The Danube Dragons (7-2) secured a hard-fought 14-7 road victory over the Salzburg Ducks (1-8) at Max Aicher Stadium, clinching a playoff berth and retaining first place in the Austrian Football League standings.

Defensive stalemate early
Both teams struggled offensively in a scoreless first quarter, with the Ducks breaking through first in the second period. Wide receiver Christian Honig hauled in a touchdown pass, followed by Maximilian Reuter’s PAT, giving Salzburg a 7-0 halftime lead.

Reischl rallies Dragons late
Dragons quarterback Alexander Reischl ignited after halftime, connecting with Marvyn Acenas on a 12-yard touchdown (PAT Thorsten Tannert) to tie the game. The decisive blow came in the fourth quarter when Reischl threaded a 24-yard strike to Michael Schachermayr for the go-ahead score, with Tannert’s extra point sealing the 14-7 result.

Ducks’ resilience falls short
Salzburg’s defense pressured Reischl throughout, but critical stops by the Dragons’ line prevented a comeback. The Ducks’ final drive stalled near midfield, cementing their eighth loss.

Coaches’ perspectives
Salzburg’s Joe Ashfield praised his team’s grit: “Another bitter defeat, but I’m impressed with how my players handle setbacks.” Danube’s Fred Armstrong emphasized urgency: “Our full focus is on securing home-field advantage next week.”

Playoff implications
The Dragons join the Graz Giants (7-2) atop the standings, while the Vienna Vikings (6-3) and Prague Black Panthers (4-5) round out semifinal slots. Danube hosts Salzburg in their regular-season finale on June 29, aiming to lock in home-field advantage.