Austria smothers Germany to reach European Championship Final

Austria reached yet another European Championship Final on Saturday night, beating Germany 30–9 in Krefeld. It was not a shootout but a masterclass in discipline, field position, and special teams execution — the kind of performance that has become the program’s hallmark. 

The game began with an early jolt for the Austrians. Backed up inside their own five after a penalty, quarterback Alexander Reischl was sacked in the end zone for a safety. Germany jumped out to a 2–0 lead and their supporters roared, but the moment was fleeting. From that point onward, Austria imposed its will on both sides of the ball. 

The Austrian defense took control immediately, led by linebackers Jan Mayerhofer and Noel Swancar, who shut down Germany’s inside running game. Offensively, it was cautious and deliberate. After several punts, kicker Oskar Herz broke the ice midway through the second quarter with a 47-yard field goal that gave Austria a 5–2 lead. The kick not only put points on the board, it seemed to settle the entire team. 

Late in the first half, the offense found rhythm. Running backs Tobias Bonatti and Sandro Platzgummer alternated carries behind a disciplined line that began to wear down Germany’s front. Bonatti finished the drive with a one-yard touchdown run to stretch the lead to 11–2, and that’s how it stood at halftime. The Austrian sideline looked confident. The German one, anxious. 

After the break, Austria’s defense provided the spark that would decide the contest. Early in the third quarter, on a fourth-down punt near midfield, Germany’s protection broke down. The ball came loose, and linebacker Christoph Nitzlnader scooped it up and rumbled 47 yards to the end zone. Herz added the extra point to make it 18–2. The play flipped the game and sent Austria’s bench into celebration. 

Germany did manage a response. Quarterback Lars Heidrich orchestrated a 13-play drive capped by Heiko Bals’ two-yard touchdown run. The PAT cut the deficit to 18–9, but any sense of momentum disappeared quickly. On the ensuing kickoff, Philipp Haun returned the ball to midfield, and moments later Platzgummer burst through the right side and sprinted 39 yards for a touchdown. Herz’s kick made it 25–9 and, effectively, game over. 

From there, the Austrian defense tightened further. Nitzlnader added two interceptions in the fourth quarter — both in the red zone — ending any German hope of a comeback. Running back Lukas Haslwanter capped the night with a short three-yard scoring run, and Herz’s third extra point brought the total to 30–9. 

Austria’s victory was rooted in efficiency and poise. The offense gained 239 yards on just 46 plays, averaging 5.2 yards per snap. The defense limited Germany to 226 yards on 68 plays and forced three turnovers. Germany converted only one of 15 third-down attempts and failed to take advantage of two red-zone trips that ended in interceptions. 

Platzgummer led all rushers with 79 yards and a touchdown on six carries. Bonatti added 42 yards and a score, while Haslwanter finished with 31 and another touchdown. Reischl completed nine of 19 passes for 91 yards, distributing the ball among four different receivers. Herz was perfect on all kicks, hitting a long field goal and three PATs. For Germany, Heidrich threw for 143 yards but was intercepted twice, and Bals rushed for 34 yards and one touchdown. 

Afterward, head coach Max Sommer praised the team’s ability to stay calm after the rough start.

“We added another gear at halftime and stayed true to our game plan and our values,” he said. “Special teams were slide one in our goals for this game. If we got stuck on offense, they had to pull us through — and they did.” 

Sommer confirmed that linebacker Jun-Jie Gao, who left the game briefly with a shoulder knock, will be ready for the final. “He took a hit to the shoulder, but he’s fine,” he said. “Junji Gao will be ready.” 

Austria now has just a short turnaround before facing Finland for the European title on Tuesday. “Film study starts in half an hour,” Sommer smiled after the game. “Walkthroughs tomorrow, another session in the afternoon, one practice Monday — and then we’ll try to bring the title back to Austria.” 

As the DF1 crew signed off, the hosts joked: “Go hotel and go film study — just another Austrian weekend.” It summed up the mood perfectly. This team thrives on order, preparation, and execution. Germany fought hard but couldn’t keep pace with Austria’s precision and depth. The reigning powerhouse is once again exactly where it expects to be — in the final. 

Scoring Summary 

1Q – Germany safety, team sack in end zone (2–0)
2Q – Austria field goal, Oskar Herz 47 yards (5–2)
2Q – Austria touchdown, Tobias Bonatti 1-yard run (pass failed) (11–2)
3Q – Austria touchdown, Christoph Nitzlnader 47-yard fumble return (Herz kick) (18–2)
3Q – Germany touchdown, Heiko Bals 2-yard run (kick good) (18–9)
4Q – Austria touchdown, Sandro Platzgummer 39-yard run (Herz kick) (25–9)
4Q – Austria touchdown, Lukas Haslwanter 3-yard run (Herz kick) (30–9)