The opening rounds of the IFAF 2020 European Championships Group/Qualification stages are behind us with most of the 17 countries still with games left.
In the top group, Group A, 12 teams are in a battle with the winners of each division qualified to face each other in the playoff/championship round. The second pace teams will be allocated to a round to decide spots 5-8 while the third place teams will face off to determine 9-12.
At least two games have been played in each of the Group A divisions with one division, Division B finished, while three games have been played in Group B.
Check out the AFI Top 22 European nations.
Division A (France, Czech Republic, Serbia): Games – Czech Republic @Serbia, October 26; Serbia @France, November 9
Team France had to score three fourth quarter touchdowns to finally pull away from the Czech Republic, beating them 28-3 in Jihlava, Czech Republic. Serbia will now face the Czechs on October 26 while France will play host to Team Serbia on November 9.
Division B (Austria, Italy, Switzerland) – Winner: Italy
Italy has stunned the rest of Europe by winning this division, and in convincing fashion. The Italians downed Switzerland 38-0 after shocking the number two team in Europe, Team Austria, beating them 21-14 in Austria. The Austrians had rolled over Switzerland 66-0. With that, Italy moves on the elite final four and now awaits the results of the other three divisions.
Division C (Finland, Holland, Denmark): Games – Denmark @Finland, October 26
Team Denmark got by the Netherlands 22-19 this past weekend to set up a showdown with Finland to decide the winner of Division C. The opening game of this group saw Europe #4, Finland face a Dutch team in disarray after being hastily pulled together at virtually the last minute. The Finns had no trouble dispensing of Holland 55-0.The Finns wind up the group stage by hosting Denmark on October 26.
Division D (Sweden, Russia, Great Britain): Games – Great Britain @Sweden, November 2
Great Britain had no trouble blanking the Russian national team 34-0 this past weekend. The decisive matchup is set for November 2 when the British Lions travel to Sweden to take on Team Sweden. The Swedes had previously traveled to Russia in the first game of the group/qualification round and downed the Russians 34-7.
Group B (Hungary, Turkey, Spain, Israel, Belgium): Games – Hungary @Belgium, October 26; Turkey @Spain, October 26
Team Israel won the opening game of Group B, beating the Turkish national team 27-22 in Turkey. However, they fell to Team Belgium, aka the Belgian Barbarians, 32-23. In other action, Team Hungary easily defeated Spain in their opening game, beating them 24-7 in Hungary. Belgium now host the Hungarians on October 26 while on the same day Team Turkey heads to Spain to take on the Spanish national team.