The top-seeded Danube Dragons host the fifth-seeded AFC Vienna Vikings on Saturday at SR Donaufeld in an all-Vienna semifinal, with the winner earning a place in the win2day Austrian Bowl XLI.
These familiar rivals split their two regular-season meetings. The Dragons opened the year with a convincing 35-14 victory before the Vikings answered with a dramatic 20-19 win in the regular-season finale, setting the stage for a decisive third meeting.
Dragons ready for the challenge
The Dragons earned the top seed with a consistent regular season and now return home looking to take advantage of familiar surroundings.
Head coach Michael Hönig expects a completely different challenge now that the playoffs have arrived.
“We have played a consistent and good regular season and are already very much looking forward to playing at home again in the play-off. The whole team and all the coaches know that the playoffs will start from scratch again. We want to build on the things we do consistently well and just play clean, solid football with a focus on ourselves.”
Hönig also cautioned against overlooking the fifth-seeded Vikings, calling them a dangerous team that consistently finds ways to win.
Watch live. AFC Vienna Vikings @ Danube Dragons, July 11, 17:00 CET (5 pm, 11 am ET)
Vikings carrying momentum
The Vikings advanced to the semifinals by defeating the Vienna Knights 36-25 in a wild-card thriller that exploded in the fourth quarter.
After trailing 10-8 entering the final period, the Vikings took control behind a dominant rushing attack. Michael Szabo, Patrick Welte and Matthias Moser combined for four rushing touchdowns, while Raylens Boutin sealed the victory with two late interceptions.
Head coach Benjamin Sobotka believes execution in the game’s smallest moments will will determine which team advances to the Austrian Bowl.
“The most important points in such games are always to play cleanly on special teams, force turnovers on defense and control time and ball on offense.”
City rivalry takes center stage
With each team owning one win in the regular-season series, Saturday’s showdown will settle the score.
The Dragons have home-field advantage and the top seed, while the Vikings arrive with confidence after an impressive playoff victory. The two Vienna rivals know each other well, and with a trip to the Austrian Bowl on the line, expect a physical game where execution in the biggest moments will determine who advances.