The 2023 European Championship was the 16th European Championship in American football. The preliminary round was played around Europe from 8 October to 5 November 2022. The final round was played in August and October 2023.[1]
Austria won the European Championship title after defeating Finland, 28–0, in the final.[2] Austria wide receiver Philipp Haun was named the MVP of the game after catching three touchdowns.[2]
Group A, first round
The first round was played around Europe from 8 October to 5 November 2022. It saw 11 teams divided to four groups. Russia was due to be the 12th nation participating as the 3rd team in group 1 but the nation was removed from the tournament due to ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine. Russia's games were removed from the schedule.[3]
FIN – Mikko Seppänen 8 yd pass from Ambro Urjansson (Markus Ojainväli pass failed), 06:35 Finland 6–0. Drive: 8 plays, 79 yards, 3:11
Second quarter
FIN – Johannes Jauhiainen 28 yd pass from Ambro Urjansson (Santtu Vehkomäki pass from Ambro Urjansson), 09:33 Finland 14–0. Drive: 6 plays, 65 yards, 2:10.
FIN – Tuukka Lehtonen 11 yd run (Markus Ojainväli kick), 04:03. Finland 21–0. Drive: 7 plays, 76 yards, 2:32
FIN – Iiro-Pekka Paakki 8 yd pass from Ambro Urjansson (Santtu Vehkomäki pass intercepted), 00:47 Finland 27–0. Drive: 3 plays, 45 yards, 0:29.
Third quarter
DEN – Simon Fons 31 yd pass from Alexander Bjerre (Kasper Sørensen kick), 11:45. Finland 27–7. Drive: 1 play, 31 yards, 0:07.
FIN – Lassi Pajarinen 6 yd run (Aleksi Pulkkinen kick), 10:37. Finland 34–7. Drive: 5 plays, 76 yards, 1:08.
DEN – Jens Jensen 42 yd pass from Alexander Bjerre (Kasper Sørensen kick failed), 08:47. Finland 34–13. Drive: 5 plays, 49 yards, 1:43.
FIN – Kimi Linnainmaa 32 yd pass from Ambro Urjansson (Aleksi Pulkkinen kick blocked), 05:09. Finland 40–13. Drive: 8 plays, 79 yards, 3:31.
Fourth quarter
FIN – Micky Kyei 38 yd pass from Ambro Urjansson (Aleksi Pulkkinen kick failed), 11:50. Finland 46–13. Drive: 5 plays, 71 yards, 1:50.
FIN – Johannes Jauhiainen 23 yd pass from Ambro Urjansson (Aleksi Pulkkinen kick), 06:50. Finland 53–13. Drive: 8 plays, 69 yards, 2:59.
FIN – Lassi Pajarinen 38 yd run (Aleksi Pulkkinen kick), 04:09. Finland 60–13. Drive: 4 plays, 56 yards, 1:14.
Top passers
DEN – Alexander Bjerre – 16/33, 248 yards, 2 TD, INT
FIN – Ambro Urjansson – 21/32, 404 yards, 6 TD
Top rushers
DEN – Magnus Nørgaard – 10 rushes, 41 yards
FIN – Tuukka Lehtonen – 12 rushes, 82 yards, TD
Top receivers
DEN – Simon Fons – 6 receptions, 133 yards, TD
FIN – Kimi Linnainmaa – 5 receptions, 117 yards, TD
