IFAF Men’s Euros: Italy captures bronze with gritty win over Germany

By John Mahnen

Italy claimed the bronze medal at the IFAF European Final Four with a hard-fought 17–14 win over hosts Germany in Krefeld, rallying from a 14–7 deficit and surviving a potential game‑tying field goal inside the final minute. Quarterback Luke Zahradka commanded a poised fourth‑quarter march capped by a Matteo Mozzanica touchdown, while two‑way star Ryan Minniti delivered an Ironman performance on offense and in the secondary to tilt a tense, weather‑scarred contest. 

A first half of traded punches 
Germany landed first. A heavy mix of run and play‑action drove the opening score, finished by power back Heiko Bals at the goal line, with Florian Finke adding the extra point for 7–0. Italy answered at the horn of the first quarter: a classic Zahradka shot down the left sideline found Carlo Tassan behind a coverage mix‑up for the equalizer at 7–7. Midway through the second period, the hosts restored their lead when quarterback Lars Heidrich hit Niklas Schumm in the end zone—secured on the second attempt after the ball briefly slipped—pushing Germany ahead 14–7 at the break. 

Defense and adjustments after halftime 
The third quarter belonged to the defenses. As the rain eased and the surface improved, Italy tightened edges and interior fits, while Germany rotated at quarterback, with Moritz Mack (also referenced on the broadcast as Moritz Mark) taking over to add designed quarterback keepers. Special teams traded punts and both fronts generated negative plays that kept the scoreboard frozen at 14–7 heading to the fourth. 

Rotelli’s takeaway and a 90‑yard swing 
Germany threatened first in the final stanza, only for Italian defensive back Paolo Rotelli to undercut a throw in the red zone for a momentum‑swinging interception. Backed up deep, Zahradka orchestrated a composed, 90‑yard drive with tempo shifts, screens and off‑tackle keepers. Minniti churned through traffic for chunk gains, Luciano Giuliani worked seams on time, and Mozzanica repeatedly won on the boundary. A defensive offside on the goal line set up first‑and‑goal from the five; on the very next snap, Zahradka looked off the run and fired to Mozzanica over the middle for the 16–14 lead. Matteo Felli’s PAT made it 17–14 with 5:09 remaining. 

Last stand and a miss at the wire 
Germany’s response was measured—inside runs by Bals and Gerald Ameln behind a pulling front, plus Mack on keeper looks—to work into realistic field‑goal range. With 1:20 to play, a third‑down stumble left 4th‑and‑short decision time; the hosts sent on Finke for a roughly 43‑yard attempt. The snap and hold were clean, the distance true, but the kick hooked left. Italy bled the clock in victory formation and secured bronze on German soil. 

Key performers 

• Luke Zahradka (MVP)— Settled the offense after halftime and delivered a clutch red‑zone strike to Mozzanica; managed pressure with designed keepers and quick game.
  • Ryan Edward Minniti — The game’s heartbeat, playing both running back and safety with constant impact; short‑yardage authority on offense and sure tackling deep.
  • Matteo Mozzanica — Chain‑mover all afternoon and the go‑ahead touchdown on a glance route in traffic.
  • Paolo Rotelli — Fourth‑quarter interception in the red zone that flipped the script.
  • Heiko Bals — Germany’s tone‑setter between the tackles; first‑drive TD and heavy lifting late to set up the field‑goal chance. 

For Italy, the bronze extends a sustained continental presence—gold in 2021, bronze in 2023, and now bronze in 2025—underscoring depth and resilience across a weather‑affected weekend. Germany, who led for most of the day, will rue a red‑zone turnover, drops, and the late missed kick, but showed power on the ground and a flexible offensive structure with their quarterback rotation. 

Scoring Summary 

Quarter	Team	Play	Score
Q1	GER	Heiko Bals TD run (Finke kick)	GER 7–0
Q1	ITA	Carlo Tassan TD pass from Luke Zahradka (Felli kick)	7–7
Q2	GER	Niklas Schumm TD pass from Lars Heidrich (Finke kick)	GER 14–7
Q4	ITA	Matteo Mozzanica 5‑yd TD pass from Luke Zahradka (Felli kick)	ITA 17–14
Q4	GER	Finke 43‑yd FG attempt — no good (L)	Final 17–14 ITA