Only he could do that

Double European champion in uniform

Noel Swancar(Bild: Hannes Jirgal)

Football fans should remember this name: Noel Swancar. The 20-year-old linebacker from the Vienna Vikings' European League squad was the first Austrian in history to win the European Championship title with the junior and men's national teams in the same year in 2023. He is currently doing his basic military service as an army athlete. Going to the U20 World Cup in June.

Noel Swancar is following in big footsteps as a footballer in military sports. NFL export Bernhard Seikovits and Aleksandar Milanovic are two prominent names among his numerous predecessors from the ranks of the Vikings. But he has one thing over them all: he was the first Austrian ever to become European champion with both the junior and men's national teams in the same year in 2023. After finishing runner-up in the AFL with the AFC Vikings, he continued in the ELF franchise.

Swancar with Vikings owner and militia officer Robin Lumsden and head coach Chris Calaycay (from left).(Bild: Vienna Vikings)

"Success follows success for me," he says proudly. After tearing three ligaments in his right shoulder, the linebacker has been back in full training since February: "In addition to the seven sessions a week at Army Sports, I also train with the Vikings." The upcoming physiotherapy course will also focus on the body.

Vikings head coach Chris Calaycay also has high hopes for Swancar: "If Noel performs in the European League of Football like he did with the national teams, then I wouldn't be surprised if he was nominated for the 2024 ELF Defensive Rookie Of The Year."

In future, Noel will not only wear the number 0 in the national team, but also in the European League of Football with the Vikings.(Bild: Hannes Jirgal)

In mid-June, Noel, who lives with his brother Adrian in Himberg and trains in Südstadt and Simmering, will travel to the U20 World Championships in Canada, where a medal is a realistic goal. And one argument would be to include footballers in military sports beyond their basic military service. On Tuesday, there was an information event at the Vikings Academy about career opportunities in the armed forces. One of the speakers was Vikings Owner Robin Lumsden, himself a militia officer in the Hunting Command and a former footballer - someone who knows what he is talking about.