IFAF Senior World championship 17 days: Meet players competing in ‘Group B’, Canada’s group

Austria 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.

Watch an interview…>

Canada

Linebacker Christian Houle
6-4, 225, Cégep: Vieux-MontréalUniversity: Montréal

Christian Houle has experienced success at a number of levels throughout his football career. He played high school football for the Vert er Or at Séminaire Saint-Joseph where he won the student athlete award, defensive player of the year and athlete of the year in 2003. Christian next went on to attend Cégep de Vieux-Montreal where he won three Bol d’Or (Quebec championships) from 2003- 2005. In his last season at Vieux he helped the Spartiates go undefeated.

After Cégep, Houle attended Université de Montreal where he was a five-year starter for the Carabins. He was invited to the 2009 East-West Bowl (Défi Est-Ouest) in 2009 after recording 31.5 tackles (3.5 for a loss), 2 sacks, and 1 forced fumble the previous season (2008). Houle was invited to the CFL Evaluation camp in 2010 and signed with the Saskatchewan Roughriders later that year, remaining with the team for the 2010 season. Houle’s experience and versatility will be an asset as Team Canada competes at the IFAF World Championship this July.

France
Quarterback Max Sprauel
6-0, 182, Black Panthers de Thono les Bains

Max Sprauel is the starting quarterback for the Black Panthers de Thonon les Bains. But last summer, Sprauel lead Team France to the European Championship title game.

In the opening game of the tournament, Sprauel led his team to a 14-7 victory over Sweden. He showcased his arm connecting with a wide receiver Jeremy Rabot for a 50-yard bomb for the team’s only touchdown of the game. He finished the game with 194 total yards.

In the second game against Great Britain, Sprauel took control of the entire game finishing with 305 yards on 23/33 and three touchdowns.

France just fell short in the championship game against Germany, but their second place finish qualified France for the IFAF Senior World Championship.

Japan

Kicker Daisuke Aoki
5-10, 5-11, Kajima University

Daisuke Aoki has proved to be one of top kickers in Japan with a verypower and accurate leg making all 10 extra-point kicks and going 2-3 in field goals during Japan’s IFAF Senior World Championship qualifier game against Korea. Japan dominated the game shutting out Korea 76-0.

Aoki made a 27-yard and 39-yard field goal and was named game MVP.
Aoki plays for Kajima, and this season he helped his team reach the X-League title game.

This was Daisuke Aoki rookie season, but impressed all and was named to the All X-League team. He was one of only seven players from his Kajima team selected.