Italy Moves to 1-0 with GNC and IFAF Euro Win

Italy 17, Germany 14 — GNC Inaugural and Bronze at IFAF European Final Four

KREFELD, Germany — Italy left with bronze and momentum.

In a cold drizzle on a heavy field, the Italy rallied late to beat Germany 17–14 in the European Final Four’s third-place game — a result that also opens Italy’s Gridiron Nations Championship (GNC) account at 1–0 ahead of a Nov. 9 meeting with Canada at Milan’s Velodromo Vigorelli. With the loss, Germany falls to 0–1 in GNC play and will host Canada on Nov. 16 in Bochum to conclude the inaugural competition.

Germany controlled the opening stanza, mixing downhill runs with quick throws and finishing a clock-eating drive on a Heiko Bals touchdown and a Florian Finke PAT for 7–0. Italy answered before the quarter flipped: quarterback Luke Zahradka found Carlo Tassan in the end zone, and Matteo Felli tied it 7–7.

A failed Italian onside kick gifted Germany a short field in the second quarter, and a defensive pass interference extended the series. Niklas Schumm’s TD grab restored the lead, 14–7. Italy steadied and took points before halftime on a Felli field goal, trimming it to 14–10.

The third quarter tightened. Italy crossed midfield and punted; Germany later turned it over on downs at the Italian 28. A promising Italian possession unraveled on a Ryan Minniti fumble, and the margin held into the fourth.

The swing came from the Italian defense. Valentino Rotelli undercut a route for a momentum-shifting interception, and Zahradka pushed the tempo. The quarterback then authored a 90-yard go-ahead drive, capped by a sharp strike to Matteo Mozzanica. Felli’s extra point put Italy up 17–14 with just over five minutes to play.

Germany’s last drive leaned on the ground game and the clock, grinding into striking range. With :58 left and 4th-and-3, the hosts chose the tying field goal; the kick sailed wide left. Italy knelt out the final seconds.

MVP: Luke Zahradka — two touchdown passes and command in the late march that decided it.

“It’s an important result that confirms the strength of our national team,” said FIDAF president Leoluca Orlando, noting the bounce-back after a weather-marred semifinal loss.

Up next: Italy hosts Canada on Nov. 9 in Milan (GNC), while Germany welcomes Canada on Nov. 16 in Bochum to close the inaugural GNC.