LIVESTREAM IFAF Euros Bronze: Italy @ Germany, Oct. 28, 13:00 CET (1 pm, 7 am ET)
By John Mahnen
The IFAF European Championship’s final day in Krefeld opens with a clash between two proud programs looking to salvage their tournaments with a place on the podium. At 13:00 CET, host nation Germany faces Italy in the bronze medal game at the Grotenburg Stadion — a matchup of two teams still coming to terms with semifinal heartbreak.
Both sides enter the contest with different emotions but similar challenges: physical fatigue, limited recovery, and the mental test of bouncing back quickly after disappointment. For Germany, it’s about responding to a humbling 30–9 defeat to defending champion Austria. For Italy, it’s a chance to redeem a razor-thin 9–8 loss to Finland that could easily have gone the other way.
Germany’s head coach, Christian Rothe, has emphasized the need for composure and learning.
“We couldn’t get the ball to our strong wide receivers, and the Austrians were very well prepared for our running game,” Rothe admitted after the semifinal. “Our defense kept us in the game for a long time, but we didn’t capitalize on offense. Two turnovers are just too many. There’s a lot of work ahead, and now we must focus on Italy.”
Watch live. IFAF Euros Bronze: Italy @ Germany, Oct. 28, 13:00 CET (1 pm, 7 am ET)
Despite the scoreline, Germany showed flashes of promise, particularly early when linebacker Marius Kensy’s pressure forced a safety for the game’s opening points. Running back Heiko Bals was one of the bright spots, powering his way to Germany’s only touchdown of the night. Quarterback Lars Heidrich will again look to link up with wideouts Harlan Kwofie and Louis Geyer — two of the ELF’s top performers — against a well-drilled Italian defense.
Italy, meanwhile, arrives with mixed emotions after pushing Finland to the brink in a defensive slugfest. Head coach Brian Michitti’s squad showcased toughness in brutal conditions but fell one point short. Quarterback Luke Zahradka, the long-time Guelfi Firenze star and ELF veteran, will lead the Azzurri offense once more, supported by running backs Ryan Minniti and Fabrizio Umetelli, who scored Italy’s late touchdown in the semifinal.
Michitti remains upbeat.
“We’re coming to this Final Four aware of the difficulties but ready to play our best football,” he said before the tournament. “Our goal is clear: to compete fearlessly and honor the Azzurri until the final yard.”
Italy’s defensive backbone — led by Kristian Giardinieri, Tamsir Seck, and the hard-hitting Nikolas Suppa — will look to contain Germany’s balanced attack. The secondary, featuring Andrea Costanzi and Giovanni Caccialupi, limited Finland’s passing game effectively and will again be tested by Heidrich’s arm.
The bronze medal game may hinge on which team manages to reset mentally. Germany has the home crowd and a deeper bench drawn from its ELF core (including players from Stuttgart Surge, Vienna Vikings, and Raiders Tirol), while Italy relies on continuity and cohesion — many of its stars have played together for years under Michitti’s leadership.
Prediction: Expect a close, physical contest. Italy’s cohesion and experience under Zahradka give them a narrow edge, but Germany’s motivation to finish strong on home soil could swing it. Call it Germany 20, Italy 17 — a game decided in the final minutes.
Watch live. IFAF Euros Bronze: Italy @ Germany, Oct. 28, 13:00 CET (1 pm, 7 am ET)
