The Swiss national team pulled off one of the biggest surprises of the opening round of the 2026–27 IFAF Men’s European Championship, defeating the favored Czech Republic 11–9 in a defensive battle in Chur, Switzerland, on Saturday evening.
Playing before more than 700 spectators, Switzerland built an early 11-point lead and survived a frantic fourth-quarter comeback to claim its first European Championship victory in more than a decade.
Swiss strike early
Head coach Geoff Buffum’s squad wasted little time establishing control.
Quarterback Loris Lenzlinger of the Winterthur Warriors connected with Thomas Gfeller of the Thun Tigers on a deep completion during the opening possession, setting up a field goal by Nils Jonkmans of the Bern Grizzlies.
The Swiss defense quickly forced another three-and-out, giving Lenzlinger another opportunity.
After connecting with Noah Bachofen of the Calanda Broncos, Lenzlinger found Gfeller in the end zone for a touchdown. Gfeller wrestled the ball away from a defender to complete the catch.
A botched extra-point snap turned into an unlikely bonus when holder Nola O’Leary scrambled into the end zone for a two-point conversion, extending the lead to 11–0.
Photo: Nathalie Pfister
Czech defense fights back
The Czech Republic, which finished fifth in the previous European Championship, gradually found its footing.
The visitors tightened defensively, shutting down the Swiss offense for the remainder of the game, but penalties and increasingly wet conditions hampered their own attack.
A second-quarter field goal trimmed the deficit to 11–3 at halftime.
Neither team scored in the third quarter, setting up a tense finish.
Late drama decides the game
Switzerland appeared poised to put the game away, but a short field goal attempt struck the upright.
Moments later, a Swiss pass was intercepted and returned deep into scoring territory.
The Czechs capitalized with a touchdown pass, closing to 11–9, but their attempted two-point conversion fell incomplete.
With victory suddenly hanging in the balance, the Swiss defense delivered twice.
Benaya Alerini of the Geneva Seahawks intercepted a pass with 55 seconds remaining before Timo von Bodungen picked off another desperate attempt with just 22 seconds left.
Denmark awaits
The victory gives Switzerland a remarkable start to its championship campaign.
Buffum’s squad now travels to Denmark next Saturday, knowing another victory would guarantee advancement from its three-team group.
For a national team that had gone more than ten years without a European Championship win, Saturday’s performance was more than an upset. It was a statement that Switzerland belongs back in the conversation.