IFAF: Austria edged Sweden in a thriller to capture fourth straight Euro U19 title

Austria are the IFAF U19 European champions, beating Sweden for the fourth time in succession but were pushed all the way by a determined Swedish team in a thrilling title decider, eventually winning 34-31 in Innsbruck.

Austria’s unbeaten streak
Unbeaten on European soil since 2001, Austria trailed 28-24 in the fourth quarter having squandered a 17-point lead as Sweden capitalized on five turnovers. Sweden tied the game at 31-31 just before the two-minute warning, but home kicker Elija Heiss nailed a 43-yard field goal to secure victory and finally break a spirited Swedish challenge.

Placement games recap
With Finland already assured of third place overall, two placement games played on Saturday saw a resurgent Germany claim fourth place with a stunning 88-0 win in Denmark. Sixth spot in the European standings was claimed by Italy as they defeated Czechia 13-6.

Austria’s strong start
Bronze medalists at the IFAF U20 World Championships in Edmonton, Canada, last summer, Austria looked to have secured their latest U19 triumph in the first quarter as they raced to a 17-0 lead.

Following a 33-yard Heiss field goal and having forced and recovered a fumble on Sweden’s first possession, Austria led 10-0 through an 11-yard touchdown run by Dean Opara. Quarterback Kilian Zivko then found Maximillian Fellner in the corner of the end zone on Austria’s next drive with a 21-yard scoring pass to take control of the title decider.

Sweden’s comeback
The momentum shifted briefly when Sweden’s Caj Ekstrom recovered a fumble and returned the ball all the way to the end zone, cutting the lead to ten points. Austria struck back as quarterback Zivko took a pitch on a double pass play and raced 50 yards down the left sideline for a touchdown and a 24-7 advantage.

Defensive turnovers
Sweden was forced to punt from its own end zone but took advantage of another turnover to stay in the game. Ville Bjuremar produced an interception at the line of scrimmage, and after receptions by Justin Boney for crucial gains, Dominik Kapas punched the ball in from the one-yard mark. Austria’s attempts to extend their lead were quashed when Leo Sundman intercepted Zivko, and the score remained 24-14 at halftime after a fourth Swedish defensive turnover.

Second half shifts
Sweden’s impact on the second half was immediate as Boney returned the kickoff 75 yards for a touchdown, trimming Austria’s lead to only three points. Austria then turned the ball over at their own eight-yard mark after the ball was snapped high over the punter’s head, and Kapas powered in for his second touchdown of the game. Sweden led for the first time, 28-24.

Final moments
A pass interference call moved the ball for Austria on fourth down inside the fourth quarter, and Tobias Reisenbichler’s run off the right end swung the score back in Austria’s favor as they led 31-28. Austria’s defense then stifled a promising Sweden drive, who had to settle for a 30-yard field goal from Oscar Hardarsson despite a low snap, tying the game.

Kevin Jonas Limmen came up with a timely sack on third down as Sweden’s offense misfired, then having almost blocked the resulting punt, Austria came within a yard of moving the chains on Reisenbichler’s determined catch.

Then up stepped Heiss with the game-winning field goal from distance with 41 seconds remaining.

2024/25 IFAF Under 19s European Championships Medal Rounds

Sunday, April 20: Finland 14 Austria 41
Saturday, May 10: Sweden 24 Finland 21 (OT)
Sunday, September 21: Austria 34 Sweden 31

2024/25 IFAF Under 19s European Championships Placement Games

Saturday, April 19: Germany 55 Italy 0
Sunday, April 20: Denmark 27 Czechia 18
September 20: Denmark 0 Germany 88
September 20: Italy 13 Czechia 6

Final Standings:

1. Austria
2. Sweden
3. Finland
4. Germany
5. Denmark
6. Italy
7. Czechia