Danube Dragons

Danube Dragons
Founded1985; 39 years ago (1985)
LeagueAustrian Football League
LocationAustria Vienna, Austria
StadiumDonaufeld stadium
ColorsGreen and White
   
ChampionshipsCEFL: 2024
Austrian Bowl: 2010, 2022, 2023
Websitedanube-dragons.com
Blue River Bowl III: Danube Dragons vs. Raiffeisen Vikings Vienna (28–3) at Rattenfängerstadion (2010)

The Danube Dragons founded in 1985 (until 1999 as Klosterneuburg Mercenaries) are a 3-time AFL-champion American football club based in Vienna, Austria.

History

Under the name Klosterneuburg Mercenaries the Dragons were among the first American football teams in Austria and ascended up to the Austrian Football League, the highest league in Austria.[1] During the 1990s they advanced into 2 Austrian Bowls (1990 and 1997), but they lost both against Graz Giants. In 2000 they changed their name into Danube Dragons. They have moved from Klosterneuburg into Korneuburg in 2008, and into Vienna in 2012 (playing in FC Stadlau field).

In 2010 they won the Austrian Bowl XXVI defeating the Swarco Raiders Tirol in the final. In 2022, the Dragons won the Austrian Bowl defeating the Vienna Vikings 51–29. [2]

The team currently plays in Vienna at the Donaufeld stadium.

Notable Alumni

  • Hugh Mendez, Head coach 1995 (won the first ever 1986 Eurobowl European championship final as head coach of Vantaa Taft from Finland)
  • Eric Marty, QB 2010 (QB for Dragons first Austrian Bowl champion)
  • Jonathan Dally, QB 2012-2013
  • Joe Jordan, QB 1990-1991 (Won MVP of the first ever 1986 Eurobowl the final of the European Football League.
  • Anthony Thompson, RB/LB 1995-1996 (former active NFL player with Denver Broncos) (AFL MVP for Salzburg Bulls in 1993)
  • Geoff Stults, WR 1999 (current Hollywood Actor)

References

  1. ^ "Danube Dragons on Reservix.at" Retrieved on 22 April 2019.
  2. ^ "Hall of Fame – AFL Champions – AFBÖ – American Football Bund Österreich" Retrieved on 22 April 2019.