The first round of the IFAF 2020 European Championships Group/Qualification stage is in the books and the 17 nations are getting set for Round 2.
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.
One game has been played in each of the Group A divisions while three games have been played in Group B.
Check out the AFI Top 22 European nations.
Division A (France, Czech Republic, Serbia)
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)
Italy has taken control of this division after shocking the number two team in Europe, Team Austria, beating them 21-14 in Austria. The Austrians had rolled over Switzerland 66-0 so all the Italians need to do to win this group is defeat Team Switzerland. That game is scheduled for October 20 in Italy.
Division C (Finland, Holland, Denmark)
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. Team Holland now travels to Denmark to take on the Danish national team October 19 while the Finns wind up the group stage by hosting Denmark on October 26.
Division D (Sweden, Russia, Great Britain)
Team Sweden traveled to Russia in the first game of the group/qualification round and downed the Russians 34-7. Team Russia now heads to England to face Great Britain October 19 while Sweden will play host to the British Lions on November 2.
Group B (Hungary, Turkey, Spain, Israel, Belgium)
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 will now host the Hungarians on October 26 while on the same day Team Turkey will head to Spain to take on the Spanish national team.