Game pics may be seen at Natascha Wallner's picture site:
http://football-pics.jimdo.com/
The Vienna Knights are a team that our Head Coach Weinberger founded and then found it necessary to leave for greener pastures (the Rangers). Right from the start I could tell that there is no love lost between the two clubs. The Knights had just lost by one point to the Vikings and were now in a position to go 1-2 in the division. They HAD to win and I could tell that they were out to make it happen.
Our team was very confident, a little too confident, we had a long string of undefeated games behind us so what could go wrong, right? Someone forgot to send the Knights that memo for soon, we found ourselves in a good old fashioned "dawg fight".
We drew first blood with a Raphael Hackl field goal. Then we followed with a hard fought touchdown. Whew! Game over, right? Wrong!
The Knights showed the character we saw them exhibit last week against the Vikings and answered back with a 70 yard drive that is very hard for the defensive coordinator to admit at this time. So with a slim 3 point lead, we finished the first half.
Some soul-searching and reminders to play football as it has been taught brought us out for the second half firing on all cylinders. We stopped them sometimes and other times we bent but didn't break.
Late in the game, the 3 point lead was in jeopardy of being overtaken as the Knights were driving to score, and end the streak at 19 straight wins instead of the desired 20. After a timeout in which some adjustments were made, Franz Koloshar intercepted a third down pass that stopped the threat. The offense took advantage of the turnover, took care of the ball, and put the nail in the coffin on what turned out to be the last play of the game. So a 10-7 game ended up 17-7.
Hardly the drubbing our players predicted and a lesson to respect every opponent and prepare like it is the biggest game of the year (because it IS). During the game, our team exhibited great character when the realization that the challenge was bigger than expected. Some long lasting memories will include Mike Graetz (sorry Raphie Hackl, you've had some good hits too, but this one was Mike) putting a hit on an opponent the likes of which, I have seldom seen in ANY country. 39 year-old Franz Koloshar flying around out there with people almost half his age. Fritz Limbeck diagnosing the halfback pass and breaking it up. Max Boder playing with a possible broken hand. Felix Shildorfer, Andy Krammer, and Phillip Tippow playing key roles in the victory AFTER a 2.5 hour National team practice which ended right as the warm up began. Andy Reiter starting us off with an interception. Many others.
We now prepare for the Vikings. The Vikings are the Dallas Cowboys of the Austrian Football league. Their team is marketed, popular, and well coached. Their players are numerous and very talented. We must have a great week of practice and be even better prepared for this upcoming week.
Pictures of the game may be seen at Natascha Wallner's picture site:
http://football-pics.jimdo.com/
I also shared her site on Facebook.
And one more thing. It became crystal clear that referees are terrible in EVERY country.
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