Austria dominates in beating Sweden to win the gold medal in the IFAF Europe U19 Championships

Austria are IFAF Europe U19 champions yet again having defended their crown in convincing style with a 42-24 victory on the road over Sweden.

Wide receiver and game MVP Nils Keimel caught two first half touchdowns having passed for the game’s opening score and was virtually unplayable as Austria tore into a 28-3 halftime lead. Tim Tonko rushed for a touchdown in each half, while quarterback Michael Szabo threw for a pair of scores.

Having forced Sweden to punt away the game’s opening possession, Austria came out firing and scored on their first offensive play. A trick play loaded receivers to the right side and a toss back to Keimel saw the receiver pass to Felix Reitter, who raced free down right sideline for a touchdown and a 6-0 lead.

After Austria missed a field goal Sweden got three points on the board as Rasmus Lidkvist split the uprights from 28 yards after Vidar Ostlin had come up with an interception.

Austria hit back with a 54-yard pass from Szabo to Keimel beyond double coverage which the receiver caught at the 15-yard mark and strolled into the end zone to open a 13-3 lead after the successful extra point.

The Szabo to Keimel connection then ate up 44 yards to set up a six-yard Tonko rushing score and a 21-3 lead after Szabo caught a two-point pass. Sweden failed to convert a fake punt on their next possession in reply and Austria showed no mercy with an instant 57-yard Szabo touchdown pass to Keimel and a 28-3 halftime advantage.

Tonko dived into pay dirt early in the third quarter for his second touchdown as Austria moved ahead 35-3, but Sweden were determined to breach the end zone. They finally put six points on the board when running back Victor Humpe faked a run from the wildcat formation and tossed a jump pass to Gustaf Henriks Ras to trail 35-10.

With Elias Zaricin in at quarterback for Austria, Fritz Bleckmann made good yardage on a screen pass then went in untouched on a 10-yard running touchdown.

Trailing 42-10, Sweden fought back in the fourth quarter with consolation touchdowns from Elliot Lindehammer, who caught a 25-yarder deep in the end zone, and Oskar Atterhall before Alexander Fondelius carried in the two-point conversion.