The 2010 European Championship host Germany announced the German federal government will fund this year’s competition held in Frankfurt, Germany.

The German governing body for sports – Deutscher Olympischer Sport-Bund (DOSB) – and the German Department of Interior not only reviewed the financial planning for the event and compliance with Anit-Doping laws, but also determined the tournament to be of relevance to German sports.

EFAF’s most prestigious competition – held every four years – will for the first time feature the top six national teams from the continent battle for the European crown.  The logistic efforts associated with the expansion from four to six teams was possible to achieve as hosting federation Germany partnered up with local city and state authorities in Frankfurt and Hessen along with the government financial backing.

The A-pool tournament held in July 2010 concludes the three-step series in determining the European champion. The concept of pooling teams from different playing levels was established in 2003.  While it was not a big change to the top nations, it was a great benefit for the vast majority of European American Football federations.

Previously, the national teams would only play one or two qualification games with the inevitable outcome of being beaten heavily by one of the top teams in the qualification rounds. Now, teams from roughly the same level of play are gathering for multi-game tournaments with fewer lopsided games.  The team also have the change to rate progressions more accurately by the final standings of their respective pool tournaments.  

The top nations on the other hand are freed from the hassles of qualification games and can fill up their schedules in non-competition years with games better suited to their needs. Such as Scandinavians, continue their traditional rivalry friendly games each year. Also, Germany recently announced that the Japanese national team will fly to Dusseldorf in April for a game which should mark the beginning of a series of clashes between the current IFAF Senior World Championship silver and bronze medalists in the German-Japan Bowl.  The game will be played in one of the most modern venues in Germany at the Dusseldorf Esprit-Arena.

The European Championship tournament will be held at the Commerzbank-Arena in Frankfurt, Germany. The opener between Germany and Austria along with the championship game will be played at the state-of-the-art arena.  Preliminary games and team practices will be held at other Frankfurt venues.  

Frankfurt is know as one of the leading convention centers in the world and should make the 2010 European Championships a remarkable experience for athletes and spectators alike.