The Graz Giants (5-2) stunned the AFC Vienna Vikings (4-2) with a dramatic 20-19 comeback victory at Ravelin Football Center, overcoming a 13-point fourth-quarter deficit to secure their fifth win and tighten the AFL playoff race.
Vikings’ early command
Vienna struck first as quarterback Aaron Ellis connected with Moritz Riedinger for a 7-0 lead, capped by Kevin Voznyak’s PAT. The Giants squandered a second-quarter scoring chance when Leo Lipták’s field goal sailed wide, and the Vikings’ defense held firm for a 7-0 halftime advantage.
Giants claw back, miss opportunities
Graz quarterback Mateo Renteria ignited the second half with a deep touchdown pass to Julian Kapellari, but Lipták’s missed PAT left them trailing 7-6. Vienna responded ruthlessly: Ellis found Riedinger again for a 13-6 lead, followed by Matthias Moser’s rushing TD. Voznyak’s two blocked PATs kept the margin at 19-6 entering the final quarter.
Steinmair’s emergency heroics
The Giants rallied behind Renteria’s scrambling touchdown (19-13), but the quarterback exited injured moments later. Backup Bastian Steinmair, a young talent thrust into emergency QB duty, delivered a composed drive capped by Kapellari’s second TD. Lipták’s clutch PAT gave Graz their first lead at 20-19 with 1:47 remaining. Vienna marched to the 26-yard line, but Voznyak’s 43-yard field goal attempt missed wide, sealing the Giants’ comeback.
Coaches’ reflections
Vienna’s Benjamin Sobotka lamented defensive lapses: “We were dominant early but slackened late.” Graz’s Stefan Pokorny praised Steinmair’s poise: “He’s young, talented, and seized his moment. This win fuels our playoff push.”
Playoff implications
The Giants now sit second in the AFL while the Vikings must regroup ahead of their Week 7 clash against the Black Panthers. Graz hosts the Salzburg Ducks aiming to build on this momentum.
Source: Football.at