LIVESTREAM Austrian Bowl: Graz Giants vs Danube Dragons, July 25, 19:00 CET (7 pm, 1 pm ET)

AFI | American Football | 07/25/2026

The top-seeded Danube Dragons and the Graz Giants will settle the Austrian Football League championship in Austrian Bowl XLI after splitting two hard-fought regular-season meetings. The Giants handed Danube one of its only two defeats during the season, winning the first matchup 28-14, before the Dragons answered with a 15-7 victory in late May.

Quarterbacks bring different strengths

The championship game features two productive quarterbacks with contrasting styles.

Walter Kuhlenkamp has completed 146 of 290 passes for 1,918 yards, 21 touchdowns and eight interceptions in 11 games for the Dragons. He has also been a major part of the running game, carrying 102 times for 568 yards and six touchdowns.

Kuhlenkamp scored twice on the ground in Danube’s 35-17 semifinal victory over the AFC Vienna Vikings, helping the Dragons pull away after the Vikings threatened a fourth-quarter comeback.

Bastian Steinmair has directed the Graz offense throwing for 2,262 yards and 30 touchdowns against just eight interceptions while completing 157 of 267 attempts in 12 games. His ability to finish drives gives the Giants another dimension against a defense that has been difficult to break down.

Watch live. Graz Giants vs Danube Dragons, July 25, 19:00 CET (7 pm, 1 pm ET)

Playmakers can change the game

Samuel Imarhiagbe leads the Dragons’ receiving corps with 26 catches for 549 yards and seven touchdowns, averaging 21.1 yards per reception. His big-play ability was on display when he scored during the semifinal win over the Vikings.

For the Giants, Jonas Dachs-Wiesinger has caught 44 passes for 719 yards and nine touchdowns. Dean Opara provides balance on the ground after rushing 72 times for 506 yards and five scores.

Opara scored twice in the semifinal as Graz overwhelmed the Prague Black Panthers 41-6.

Defense could control the night

Both finalists reached the championship game behind defenses capable of changing momentum quickly.

The Giants forced five turnovers against Prague, turning three of them into 21 points. Martin Wallensteiner intercepted two passes, including one he returned for a touchdown, while Edwin Morales III and Benjamin Hellett also recorded interceptions.

The Dragons leaned on defense, field position and timely trick plays to eliminate the Vikings.

Familiar coaches meet again

The matchup also carries a personal connection. Graz head coach Stefan Pokorny previously spent years with the Dragons as both a player and coach, and brought current Danube head coach Michael Hönig onto his staff.

Now they stand on opposite sidelines with the championship at stake. The Dragons are trying to complete a dominant season, while the Giants are chasing their first AFL title since 2008 in their first Austrian Bowl appearance in a decade.