Having lost the three previous European Junior Championship finals, Germany triumphed at the 2008 event in Spain after a closely fought 9-6 battle with Sweden.
Germany, Sweden and third place winner France now have the opportunity to compete at the 2009 IFAF Junior World Championship in Canton, Ohio, next summer. The European Federation of American Football (EFAF) will confirm which teams will represent the continent in the United States before September 15.
The championship game's points did not materialize until the fourth quarter, following a first half in which each team was forced to punt away possession on every drive. Sweden had threatened to get the upper hand when Philip Widerstroem produced an interception, but the deadlock could not be broken.
Ironically, a botched Germany punt kept a drive alive as having seen the ball snapped over his head, punter Paco Varel scrambled for the 11 yards Germany needed to make a first down on the most impressive drive of the game. With 6:36 remaining and Germany gaining confidence, a field goal gave them a slight three-point edge.
Swedish quarterback Anders Hermodsson was sacked on a crucial fourth down scramble and championship game MVP Randall Pane burst through several tackles up the middle to race to the end zone and earn Germany a 9-0 lead.
"I didn't think I would make it," Pane admitted. "But the fullback made the perfect block, and the linebacker maybe underestimated me a little because of my size."
Sweden was far from finished and having almost broken free for a touchdown on the kickoff return, a perfect pass from Hermodsson to Arnat Jobe gave them hope with 1:32 remaining. Sweden recovered the onside kick, but Germany produced an interception on a last gasp fourth down pass to secure the championship.
"This was a defensive battle, and our defense won the game for us, as the offense struggled," said German National Team Program Director Peter Springwald. "We did have luck with the broken play on the punt, but I think we were a stronger and a deeper team."
Swedish head coach Jan Jenmert, whose team recorded Sweden's highest-ever EJC finish, added: "Our players had great respect regarding the final, and with respect comes nervousness. The Germans had been to the final before. Our defense played a heck of a game, but the offense made some mistakes. This was devastating for the players and was an emotionally and physically tough game."
Seventh, Fifth and Third Place Playoff and Championship Game Results:
Seventh Place Playoff: Spain 21 - Finland 39
Fifth Place Playoff: Russia 13 - Austria 20
Bronze Medal Game: France 28 - Denmark 14
Championship Game: Sweden 6 - Germany 9