Big game for the Austrians today.
Monday, June 16, 2008
Friday, June 13, 2008
I werd NARRISCH!!!
Austria, with their 1-1 tie with Poland yesterday, has a huge game on Monday against Germany, a team they haven't beaten since 1978 in Cordoba (See video above). The whole country is going bezerk for this matchup; if Austria wins, they move on to the quarterfinal and knock Germany out of the EM. If Germany wins, they do the same to Austria. Will be a crazy night in Austria Monday if the miracle at Cordoba repeats itself.
:)
Right now I'm headed to Innsbruck for the weekend. France plays Holland tonight, and I'll be with about 40,000 fans in the fanzone in Innsbruck watching that game on the big screen. I'll be pulling for France, who must win or at least tie this game to have a shot at moving on to the quarterfinals. Holland had an impressive 3-0 win over World Champion Italy on Monday while France was frustrated to a tie with overachieving Romania. Big game for the French.
Tomorrow, Sweden plays Spain in Innsbruck and I will try for tickets but will likely watch the game outside in the Fanzone. Should be a lively atmosphere as there are thousands of Spanish fans migrating through Vorarlberg to Innsbruck for this huge matchup. Winner secures a spot in the Quarterfinal while the loser will likely have to battle it out with Greece for the second quarterfinal spot from Group D on Wednesday.
On Sunday, I'll be in attendance as the Swarco Raiders Tirol & the Raiffeisen Vikings Vienna battle it out in the Eurobowl (similar to soccer's Champions League Final).
Needless to say, a long but exciting weekend is about to commence.
Monday, May 19, 2008
2-0 & Austria Salzburg
We beat the Carinthian Black Lions Saturday 35:12 to keep our playoff hopes alive. After the game I went with our team manager, Stefan Schubert, to Salzburg to watch his favorite soccer club, SV Austria Salzburg, compete for their league title. I'm going to go cook dinner & give more details (with fotos) after dinner. Stay tuned!
Meanwhile, check out some video footage of the fanclub I joined up with on Sunday as they won their league title!
SV Austria Salzburg - Champions 2007/08 from Andreas Lindinger on Vimeo.
If you need more, here's footage of the fanclub last Wednesday:
SV Austria Salzburg v FC Hallein
"Wir wollen nur Siegen sehen!"
Meanwhile, check out some video footage of the fanclub I joined up with on Sunday as they won their league title!
SV Austria Salzburg - Champions 2007/08 from Andreas Lindinger on Vimeo.
If you need more, here's footage of the fanclub last Wednesday:
SV Austria Salzburg v FC Hallein
"Wir wollen nur Siegen sehen!"
Monday, May 12, 2008
Bodensee
Today, Christoph took a few of us out onto the Bodensee (Lake Constance). The Bodensee is a very large lake that forms part of the border between Austria, Germany, & Switzerland.
We got a late start, but it was a very nice and relaxing day as a tourist. We jumped on the passenger ferry that took us from Bregenz along the northern edge and German border to the towns of Lindau & eventually to our destination of Friedrichshafen. The boat ride was relaxing and seeing all of the sailboats in Lake Constance made me a bit homesick, and reminded me that the Duck Dodge on Lake Union begins tomorrow. I really miss my boat, the waters around Lk. Washington & the beauty of Puget Sound.
In Friedrichshafen we kicked back, bought some lunch and relaxed, people watched & chatted in the sun. I finally bought some sunglasses, a cheap pair from a tourist shop & we raced some ominous looking clouds back to Bregenz. Just missing the rain storm, we grabbed some Gelato on the beach and eventually walked back through the Bregenzer Altstadt to our cars.
From there, Christoph led us up into the mountains to the Bregenz Castle and oldest sections of the city. From there was a stunning view of Bodensee and the forthcoming sunset. There's a place I'll definitely have to return to when Niki & Keegan get to town at the end of June.
After that, Christoph led us through a beautiful drive through Bregenzerwald, the alpine portion of Vorarlberg. It was beautiful and I think Niki, Keegan, & I may have to check out a bed & breakfast up there when they're here. Maybe make a weekend out of it.
All in all, a good day, with good company, and beautiful weather.
Sunday, May 11, 2008
Undefeated as a Head Coach!
We won 28:0 today at Bern in the EFAF Cup Quarterfinals, more on that after I get back from scouting the Group B matchup between Carinthian v. Parma in Parma, Italy. (We play the winner in 3 weeks for the EFAF Cup Semifinal).
Ciao ciao!
Ciao ciao!
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
New Beginning
The other reason it has been so long since I've posted, is because a lot of changes are happening with our organization. Head Coach Michael Kegel resigned yesterday to take on a different role within the organization. Both he and management feel that he could better serve the team while working as a recruiter and manager for Vorarlberg's newly forming Sport Leistungs Zentrum (basically, a sport school). I admire him for his role in bringing guys to the team and getting them out to practice, but there is a definite need for change within the Hauptmannschaft (AFL Team).
I have been named the new Head Coach and am proud to take on that role and the many challenges that need to be faced in developing this team into what it can be. Our first practice last night went well, though we were low on numbers due to injury, work, and school obligations, the upped tempo and higher expectations will benefit us greatly in our very much alive goal of a championship.
I will keep this blog up and running and you will be able to track the season from my new perspective. This is my first experience as a Head Coach, and to do so on a team of this calibre at such a young age is very much an honor to me and my family.
Well, I've got to get to back to work scheduling out the rest of the year.
I have been named the new Head Coach and am proud to take on that role and the many challenges that need to be faced in developing this team into what it can be. Our first practice last night went well, though we were low on numbers due to injury, work, and school obligations, the upped tempo and higher expectations will benefit us greatly in our very much alive goal of a championship.
I will keep this blog up and running and you will be able to track the season from my new perspective. This is my first experience as a Head Coach, and to do so on a team of this calibre at such a young age is very much an honor to me and my family.
Well, I've got to get to back to work scheduling out the rest of the year.
Worn down again
Well, sorry that I have not written in a few days. It has been very hectic since Sunday's loss to Vienna. More on that later.
The game started out very well, after a long kickoff return our defense held them to a dominant 3 & out. Our offense took over and marched down the field with some big throws and eventually we forced our way into the endzone to go up 6-0. The extra point was blocked, but Frantzy Dorlean (DE/TE - Tennessee State) scooped it up and scored for the two point conversion. Just like that we were up 8-0.
The Vikings made some adjustments, upped the tempo, and tested our edge, they found it a few times and RB Clinton Graham scampered for a few first downs. Finally, a PI call moved them into the Red Zone and after a long scramble QB Steve Levy (Cal) found pay dirt. They "waggled" on the PAT and it was tied up 8-8.
We still felt pretty confident, however, as they had to work hard for their yards and nothing was coming easy.
On our next offensive series, an errant pass found the hands of a DB who scooted in for the pick6. Down 8-14, momentum started to swing in favor of the Vikings. Our offense moved the ball on the next series, but could not finish the task and we punted away. Midway through the second quarter they began using two tight ends, we adjusted quickly and caused them to call a timeout, but a few plays later they took advantage of some of our very tired two-way players, sealed the edge and were off to the races. The pace was too much and eventually they ran an old student body right play and our guys were caught out of position. Down 8-21, our team started to lose confidence. It didn't help that after a 3 & out and a long punt return, the Vikings were again in scoring position. We made them work for it but before long we were down 8-28 and some bickering began on the sideline.
As the offense took the field I pulled the team together (very cordially, as you can imagine ;) ) and told them that if they didn't believe we could still win this thing, to get off the bus. The game was still very much in reach, end of the half, our ball, if we score we're down 14 and we get the ball to start the second half. The guys bought in, we drove the field and QB Paul Troth (East Carolina) found WR Benni Fussenegger (Austria) just before the half and at 14:28 we were back in the ballgame.
The second half opened up, however, and we could not move the ball. A quick 3 & out and a long punt return saw the Vikings looking for blood. Our defense came out fast & hard, but a Barry Sanders-esque run by Graham, another 3 & out, and a Jason Gesser style scramble and throw by Levy found 14-43.
From there on it was just damage control, our worn out players fought with everything they had, stuffed the Vikings twice in the redzone but gave up one more touchdown late in the third quarter. The only solace available for the second half came early in the fourth quarter, QB Paul Troth (who was under considerable pressure both acting as offensive coordinator and playing quarterback) hit franchise WR/DB Christian Steffani (Austria) for a long strike. We made the PAT field goal (not at all automatic this year) and that was our final score: 21-50.
I was proud about how our boys fought back after being rallied together in the 2nd quarter, but again, numbers and conditioning were a huge problem for us as we simply wore down.
Crazy news, however, the Danube beat Graz, and if we win out, we can still make the playoffs! This truly has been a wild season in the AFL.
The game started out very well, after a long kickoff return our defense held them to a dominant 3 & out. Our offense took over and marched down the field with some big throws and eventually we forced our way into the endzone to go up 6-0. The extra point was blocked, but Frantzy Dorlean (DE/TE - Tennessee State) scooped it up and scored for the two point conversion. Just like that we were up 8-0.
The Vikings made some adjustments, upped the tempo, and tested our edge, they found it a few times and RB Clinton Graham scampered for a few first downs. Finally, a PI call moved them into the Red Zone and after a long scramble QB Steve Levy (Cal) found pay dirt. They "waggled" on the PAT and it was tied up 8-8.
We still felt pretty confident, however, as they had to work hard for their yards and nothing was coming easy.
On our next offensive series, an errant pass found the hands of a DB who scooted in for the pick6. Down 8-14, momentum started to swing in favor of the Vikings. Our offense moved the ball on the next series, but could not finish the task and we punted away. Midway through the second quarter they began using two tight ends, we adjusted quickly and caused them to call a timeout, but a few plays later they took advantage of some of our very tired two-way players, sealed the edge and were off to the races. The pace was too much and eventually they ran an old student body right play and our guys were caught out of position. Down 8-21, our team started to lose confidence. It didn't help that after a 3 & out and a long punt return, the Vikings were again in scoring position. We made them work for it but before long we were down 8-28 and some bickering began on the sideline.
As the offense took the field I pulled the team together (very cordially, as you can imagine ;) ) and told them that if they didn't believe we could still win this thing, to get off the bus. The game was still very much in reach, end of the half, our ball, if we score we're down 14 and we get the ball to start the second half. The guys bought in, we drove the field and QB Paul Troth (East Carolina) found WR Benni Fussenegger (Austria) just before the half and at 14:28 we were back in the ballgame.
The second half opened up, however, and we could not move the ball. A quick 3 & out and a long punt return saw the Vikings looking for blood. Our defense came out fast & hard, but a Barry Sanders-esque run by Graham, another 3 & out, and a Jason Gesser style scramble and throw by Levy found 14-43.
From there on it was just damage control, our worn out players fought with everything they had, stuffed the Vikings twice in the redzone but gave up one more touchdown late in the third quarter. The only solace available for the second half came early in the fourth quarter, QB Paul Troth (who was under considerable pressure both acting as offensive coordinator and playing quarterback) hit franchise WR/DB Christian Steffani (Austria) for a long strike. We made the PAT field goal (not at all automatic this year) and that was our final score: 21-50.
I was proud about how our boys fought back after being rallied together in the 2nd quarter, but again, numbers and conditioning were a huge problem for us as we simply wore down.
Crazy news, however, the Danube beat Graz, and if we win out, we can still make the playoffs! This truly has been a wild season in the AFL.
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