AUSTRIA IN 2009!!!

THIS JUST IN:

I will be playing in AUSTRIA in 2009!!!

 This week I signed a contract to play for the Swarco Tirol Raiders in Innsbruck, Austria.  They are currently the #1 ranked team in all of Europe, having won the 2008 Eurobowl (Champions League) and playing in the 2008 Austrian Final.  I will be reunited with my teammate from last season in Catania, wide receiver Matthew Epperson, who signed with the team earlier this month.  Hopefully we can continue the aerial magic of the 2008 season!

The story of this decision is an interesting tale.  For the longest time, Christie and I hadn’t even considered returning to Europe a possibility.  After we had come home from Italy, we spent a month in Hawaii with family before heading to Los Angeles to pursue other business careers.

However, one day in early October I received a call from Raiders Head Coach Santos Carrillo, who offered to bring me out to Innsbruck for a weeklong recruiting trip.  Matt, unsure of whether or not I was returning to Innsbruck, was seriously considering playing in Austria and it was a great opportunity for me to at least check things out with a good friend.

The Home Stadium of the Raiders.

What I found in Austria was impressive to say the least.  The Raiders organization is one of the most professional in all of Europe, with three full-time American coaches, a junior program with over 300 youth players, and a commitment to excellence that would make Al Davis proud.  They have strong support within the community and excellent owners/sponsors.  The Raiders play in a state of the art soccer stadium (one of the sites for the Euro 2008 soccer championship) and all games are televised in Austria and streamed on the Internet.  I practiced three times with the team and was very impressed by their speed, ability, and knowledge of the game.  The level of football in Austria is considered to be the most competitive in all of Europe.  The country currently boasts the top three rated teams on the continent and an Austrian team has won the EuroBowl each of the last five years.  (Team Site: www.raiders.at)

 The 2008 EuroBowl Champion Raiders.

Innsbruck is located high in the Alps...

Off the field, the intriguing thing about Innsbruck was that it’s a completely different experience from what we did last year.  While Catania was all about the beach, this would be an Alpine experience – Innsbruck hosted the 1964 and 1976 Winter Olympics and sits in the middle of the Austrian Alps.  It is surrounded by some of the best skiing and winter sports available.  It is also centrally located in Europe, providing easy access to many of the places we did not get to explore last season, such as Eastern Europe and Scandinavia.  Everyone I came across in Innsbruck spoke excellent English, making communication (hopefully) much easier, and the food is an assortment of the best German, Italian, American, and Mediterranean styles.  Even more, I formed an instant bond with the other new imports, coaches, and national players – providing me an instance sense of comfort.

 

Colorful buildings line Innsbruck's river.

The Old Town of Innsbruck is filled with patios and history.

After much deliberation and prayer, Christie and I decided that the best opportunity for us at this point in our life was to play the 2009 season for the Raiders.  We are extremely excited about this upcoming season, and the opportunity to chase both an Austrian and EuroBowl championship.

In addition, our time in Austria gives Christie a chance to become involved in two of her favorite passions: television and cheerleading.  Christie will be hosting weekly TV segments that will air both in Austria and in the US.  These reports will give viewers a first-hand look at what it is like to play American Football in Europe and all the fascinating characters that play this game.  She will also assist the Raiders Cheerleading program, as they complete in the European Cheerleading Championships in Vienna in March.      

Playing in Catania gave me a whole new set of brothers...

... and was incredibly fun for my wife and I!

As for my friends in Catania, I wish them all the best in the 2009 season.  Leaving Catania last year was unbelievably hard for Christie and I.  It is embarrassing to admit but we cried like babies.  We have so many incredible friends there, and could not have been treated better.  I still keep in touch with many of my friends there, as well as corresponding frequently with George, who is headed back as Head Coach in 2009.  The good news is that we will be close, and plan on making a number of trips down to Sicily to visit! 

Some of my best friends in Catania - we'll be there to visit for sure!

On the field, Catania has signed three solid imports for the new season – Defensive Back Larry Atkinson (Nebraska-Omaha), Wide Receiver Taber LeMarr (Wyoming), and Quarterback Steve Panella (St. Mary’s, Canada.)  The trio played together last year in Finland, leading the PORVOO BUTCHERS (greatest mascot in the history of football?) to the championship.  If they are anything like the last player Catania signed from Finland (Matt Epperson), than the Elephants should be well equipped for a playoff run in 2009!

 

Finally, a number of family and friends have already asked the biggest question – WHAT ABOUT THE BLOG?  

 

Well, the blog is not going anywhere!  I consider this season a continuation of my European experience, and some (who will remain nameless) have already gone as far as to say that this decision was driven solely by the opportunity for new blog material.  In fact, I will not be changing the name or format of the blog – and will be expanding the blog even further this season as I chronicle my next football journey.

 

So stay tuned to REALLY PLAYING FOR PIZZA for another incredible adventure!

 

Arrivederci,

 

J. Twice