Swarco Raiders Tirol
| Founded | 1992 |
|---|---|
| League | Austrian Football League |
| Based in | Innsbruck, Austria |
| Stadium | Tivoli Stadion Tirol |
| Colors | Black and Silver |
| President | Elisabeth Swarovski |
| Championships | 2004, 2006, 2011, 2015, 2016 |
| Division titles | 5 |
| Cheerleaders | Swarco Raiderettes |
| Mascot | Birdie |
| Broadcasters | www.raiderstv.at |
| Website | http://www.raiders.at/ |
The Swarco Raiders Tirol, are an American football team based in Innsbruck, Austria. Founded in 1992, the Raiders since have become one of Austria's and Europe's most dominant American football teams, winning the Eurobowl title three times (2008, 2009 & 2011) and the EFAF Cup once (2004). Playing in the Austrian Football League (AFL), the team has won the league championship five times, most recently in 2016.
The Raiders employ the most full-time coaches and staff out of all European teams, combined with their special cooperation with the Oakland Raiders, many teams, coaches and players regard the Raiders as one of the most well-run organizations in Europe. Their head coach is former NFL Europe coach Shuan Fatah, a Berlin, Germany native.
The Swarco Raiders were founded by a small number of American Football fans and volunteers back in 1992, starting in Austria's 3rd division in the spring of 1993, the team went unbeaten with an overall score of 158-11. After being promoted to the 2nd division, the team failed to continue its run of 1993, and posted a record of 2-14 in 1994 and 1995. After two mediocre seasons, the team was promoted to Austria's top division, the AFL, in 1998. In 2000 the young club played its first championship game, losing to the then-Chrysler Vikings Vienna.
After losing both regular season games against its rival the Vienna Vikings, the team fared much better in post season, beating the Vikings 28-20 in a thrilling game, hosted in Salzburg, Austria and it clinched the club's first national championship. Also in 2004, the team won the EFAF-Cup becoming the first Tyrolean team to win an international title, shutting out the P.A Farnham Knights of Great Britain 45-00.
After losing to the Vikings 43-14 in the bowl game of 2005, the two teams faced each other again in the final of 2006, but this time the team from Innsbruck beat its rival from Austria's capital in a lopsided game with an overall score of 43-19. Again the game was played on neutral ground, as the it was held in Maria Enzersdorf, Lower Austria.
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