Danube Dragons crush Prague Black Panthers to reach Austrian Bowl
The Danube Dragons dismantled the defending champion Prague Black Panthers 42-7 in a dominant AFL semifinal performance at home, advancing to their third Austrian Bowl in four years.
Dragons dominate from start to finish
Prague struck first with quarterback Norman Douglas connecting with Jakub Wolesky for an early 10 yard touchdown (7-0). The Dragons responded immediately, as rookie QB Alexander Reischl tied the game with a 51 yard touchdown pass to Michael Schachermayr. Defensive back Jan Gebhardt then intercepted Douglas and returned it for a pick-six, giving Danube a 14-7 lead they never relinquished.
Defensive dominance fuels rout
The Dragons’ defense terrorized Prague, with lineman Camar Kyle recording multiple sacks and Chivarro Van Ommeren securing a critical interception. Reischl extended the lead to 21-7 before halftime with a 10 yard scoring strike to Moritz Dungler. After the break, Reischl found Schachermayr again for a 64 yard score extending the lead to 28-7, while Matthias Löcker’s one-yard rushing touchdown (35-7) and veteran Matthias Rebl’s 47 yard pick-six (42-7) sealed the rout.
Second-half surge seals championship berth
Prague’s offense collapsed under relentless pressure, managing no further scores despite a successful punt fake. A late fumble by Danube’s Clemens Hareter gifted possession back, but the Panthers couldn’t capitalize. The Dragons outgained Prague in total yards (317 vs 224) and forced four turnovers, showcasing their balance.
Postgame focus shifts to Austrian Bowl
Head coach Florian Pos praised his team: “We were prepared. Everyone delivered.” Reischl, who threw three touchdowns in his playoff debut, stated, “Off to St. Pölten. I don’t care who we play; we’ve beaten both [potential opponents] this year.” Pos added, “A new opponent in the Austrian Bowl would be nice,” hinting at preference for the Graz Giants over rivals Vienna Vikings.
The Dragons will face the AFC Vienna Vikings on July 26 at NV Arena St. Pölten, aiming to reclaim the title they last won in 2023. Prague’s season ends at 9-4, dethroned after a single championship reign.
