FOOTBALLERS START

Vikings are really hungry for the title

Nico Hrouda, quarterback of the Vienna Vikings in the Austrian Football League.(Bild: Hannes Jirgal)

The Austrian Football League AFL season kicks off next weekend. In the last two years, the Danube Dragons from Donaustadt beat the Vienna Vikings from Simmering in the final, winning the red-white-red title in the Austrian Bowl. If the Vikings have their way, things will be different this year.

The Vienna Vikings have a score to settle in the Austrian Football League AFL. In each of the last two seasons, the record champions failed to reach the Austrian Bowl against city rivals Danube Dragons of all teams.

The US imports of the AFC Vienna Vikings: Max Fine (left) and Marcus Lawrence.(Bild: Felix Cerny)

"Last season didn't end the way it should have. I've come back to change that," says Marcus Lawrence. The defensive back is one of only two US imports. As the Vikings have a home-grown quarterback (QB) in 21-year-old Nico Hrouda, they may even have a third legionnaire in the squad. "We would only bring him in if something happens," explains Benjamin Sobotka ahead of his first season as head coach.

The second import is Max Fine, a wide receiver whom Lawrence has known for many years. "We studied, played and spent our free time together in the USA. Marcus is the reason why I really wanted to join the Vikings," says Fine, who is also bursting with energy. And fits in perfectly with the team around QB Hrouda: "We're all really hungry for the title!" The home game against Telfs kicks off on Saturday. Defending champions Danube Dragons start on March 23 with a home game against the Raiders Tirol.