Austria names Karoline Kugler in flag football World Cup squad

Austria has named its teams for next week’s Flag Football World Cup in Düsseldorf, where places at the next Olympic Games will be at stake, ORF reported. Karoline Kugler of Neudörfl is one of the key players in the women’s national team.

Kugler, a doctor, has played for Austria’s flag football team for 10 years and has already won two World Cup medals. She now hopes to achieve her goal of competing at the Olympics.

“Most of my free time revolves around flag football. That is the sacrifice we make, but I think we all make it gladly and are trying to give everything to reach the goal of the Olympic Games,” Kugler said.

Austria is among the world’s leading nations in flag football, a non-contact form of American football. The women’s team is ranked sixth in the world. With the sport set to become Olympic in two years, the team has prepared more intensively than ever for the World Cup.

“I think we are exactly where we wanted to be. You really get the impression that we are perfectly prepared for this tournament,” Kugler said.

Austria will face China, Great Britain and France in the preliminary round. The group has already been described online as the “Group of Death”. Kugler said the matches would be close and physical, with any team capable of finishing in any position.

Kugler will play as a wide receiver and aims to help Austria succeed at the World Cup.