LIVESTREAM: IFAF Paris EJCs Host Team France faces Germany in opener 2 p CEST (8 a EDT)

The IFAF Paris European Junior Championships kick off Friday July 14 with the host country France taking on Team Germany at Stade Laurent Pleagelatte in Villepinte, France.

Germany finished second at the 2015 tournament held in Dresden, Germany losing to Austria in the final 30-22. France finished fourth losing the bronze medal game to Denmark.

France reached the final in both 2013 and 2011, losing also to Austria both times. Germany has won the European Junior tournament three times, 2008, 2000 and 1998. France triumphed in 2006 and 2004.

At the 2011 tournament, the Germans fell in the group stage and in 2013 in Cologne they were eliminated in the semifinals.

TEAM GERMANY

Head coach: Peter Springwald

Winner : 2008

The German team enters this tournament, looking for a rematch. Peter Springwald’s team lost to the Austrian in 2015 Euro U19 Final in Dresden. They  waltzed through the qualification tournament beating Switzerland 51-0 and Spain 47-0. Many of their key players are playing in the German Football League.

TEAM FRANCE

Head Coach : Emmanuel Maguet

Winner : 2004 , 2006

France is playing this tournament at home.  Does this mean added pressure or is it an advantage?  Head coach Maguet’s players  have been preparing for this game since 2015. Although facing Germany in the opening game is a daunting task, Team France has won this tournament twice before and will be ready.

Watch the game live here. Click on Livestream. Kickoff: Friday July 14, 2 p CEST (8 a EDT)

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Roger Kelly is an editor and a writer for AFI. A former PR Director the B.C. Lions of the Canadian Football League for 7 years, he now lives in Sweden writing about and scouting American Football throughout the world.