IFAF: A look at the host country Austria, Canada’s Monday opponent (video)

Here is a look at host country Austria.

The history of American Football in Austria started a little over 30 years ago. In 1983 Austria sent its National Team to the very first European Championship – and finished last. When Austria could not qualify for the final round in 2001, the AFBÖ (the Austrian Federation of American Football) decided to dissolve the National Team and focus on its youth programs. The current situation of American Football in Austria is proof that this was the right decision.

Austria’s American Football teams regularly dominate international competitions. Teams from the Austrian Football League (AFL) regularly win the Euro Bowl, the most important international club tournament in European American Football and the Swarco Raiders won the title in 2011. The Austrian National Team takes part in the World Championship of American Football – not only because Austria hosts the tournament but because it finished in third place in the European Championship 2010 and qualified for the World Championship the conventional way.

The teams’ youth programs finally paid off in 2006 and resulted in the new National Team. Austria started in group C in the European Championship and fought its way up to group A. Hosting the fourth World Championship of American Football in Austria is the reward for all the hard work the players, coaches and functionaries put in.

Armando Ponce de Leon, Wide Receiver with the Graz Giants speaks for the whole team: “I am absolutely looking forward to take the field in a packed stadium. This really pushes you to new limits. The World Championship will be awesome!”

AFBÖ President Michael Eschlböck: “The World Championship is a great event with historic implications for our sport. We are looking forward to having a spectacular American Football party with guests from all over the world.”

Head Coach Rick Rhoades:

The Austrian senior national team is held by veteran head coach Rick Rhoades. He has held this position since 2009.

Rhoades is considered one of the most respected coaches in European football. One of his most successful achievements was when he was head coach of the Graz Giants. In just two years he led the team to a EFAF Cup victory in 2007 and won the Austrian championship in 2008.

Prior to coaching in Europe, Rhoades coaching college football in the United States winning the NCAA Division II college championship with the Troy University Trojans.

Coaching Staff:

Rick Rhoades, Head Coach

Skip Albano, Offensive Coordinator & Wide Receivers

Chris Calaycay, Defensive Coordinator & Linebackers

Santos Carrillo, Special teams Coordinator & Defensive line

Andreas Hinterplattner, Defensive backs

Nicolas Johansen, Offensive line

Maximilian Sommer, Running Backs

Players to Watch:

RB Florian Grein

178, 5-10, Swarco Raiders Tirol

Running back Florian Grein is one of the top running backs in the country of Austria.

Most recently he was named Eurobowl MVP at the Eurovwol XXV where he helped his Swarco Raiders Tirol defeat Eurobowl defending champions 27-12 in Innsbruck, Austria. In the game, Grein ran for 136 yards on 25 carries and had one touchdown. This was Grein’s third MVP honor in his third Eurobowl game.

In 2009, Grein helped his Raiders to another EuroBowl victory defeating the Paris Flash 31-19. In the game, Grein impressively ran for 182 yards and three touchdowns and his second MVP honor.

Grein’s first Eurobowl appearance was in 2008, and he showed that is just as talented on the big stage leading the team to a 28-14 victory against the Vienna Vikings earning his first MVP award.

Along with playing, Florian Grein is also running back coach for the Swarco Raiders.

Wide Receiver Jakob Dieplinger

5-11, 176 – SWARCO Raiders

Dieplinger is one of Europe’s prominent wide receivers starring for the Swarco Raiders where he has won the coveted Eurobowl championship. He represented Austria at the 2010 European Championships and was named to the All-Star first team having scored two touchdowns as Austria won the tournament’s bronze medal game. In addition to coaching with the Raiders, he is the Offensive Coordinator of the Austrian junior national team and works as a full time athletic youth director for the Raiders, Austria’s most successful youth organization.

In the Austrian Championship semifinals in front of 3,700 fans , wide receiver Jakob Dieplinger – who was selected to the Austrian Senior national team – showcased his quickness and great hands jetting down the field for a beyond impressive 74-yard touchdown to give his team a 19-0 lead at halftime.

He was also recently wide receiver coach of the World Team and is offensive coordinator of the Austrian junior national team.

OL Michael Habetin & Alexander Milanovic:

Two offensive linemen from Austria – Michael Habetin and Alexander Milanovic – were part of the 2010 World Team and recently selected to the Austrian Senior National team as two of the youngest players on the team. Milanovic plays for the Vienna Vikings and has seven years of football experience. He began playing in 2004 in the Vikings rookie program and quickly impressed playing in the 2008 U19 Junior European Championship at the age of 16 named to the First-Team All-Star team. He also played at the 2010 European Championship and was the youngest starting player for Team Austria at the age of 18.

Game Schedule for Austria:

Saturday, July 9: Austria vs Japan Graz, Austria

Monday, July 11: Canada vs Austria Graz, Austria

Wednesday, July 13: Austria vs France Graz, Austria

Placement Games July 15 & 16 in Vienna, Austria