Review

This year’s Austrian Lacrosse Open took place for the 14th time on the 25th and 26th of May in Vienna. This year also brought some big changes to the tournament.

For the first time, we were able to welcome all teams to our new home at FC Stadlau. The warm may weather allowed the full use of all facilities, such as the swimming pool with a view on the field was a real highlight.

Another premiere for the ALO, we are very proud of, was a bigger woman’s than man’s tournament. We had six woman’s teams participating and four men’s teams. Jizni Mesto (CZE), Mystery Meet (DNK, GER, FIN) and Olimpija/Twembley (SLO/UK) complemented familiar faces such as Graz Gladiators, Vienna Cherokees (with some players from Budapest) and the hosts.

The men’s tournament was more of a familiar matter. All teams knew each other pretty well. Graz Gladiators, Bratislava Tricksters and the Vienna Monarchs are all ALO veteran teams. However, this year we had one team that stood out of all. A team comprised of the old retired Austrian lacrosse elite, who traded their walking canes for lacrosse sticks.

Another highlight was the youth scrimmage, which took place for the first time in Austrian lacrosse history. Nine kids, trained by Adrian Balasch and Richard Hauer Sen., played their first game that ended in a thrilling 18:17. This game showed everyone why lacrosse is such a wonderful sport.

After two full days of lacrosse, the tournament ended with two teams winning in the end. Jizni Mesto took home the trophy in the women’s bracket, while Bratislava Tricksters won the title this year in the men’s tournament. The hosts were able to secure 3rd place in the women’s and 2nd in the men’s tournament. The MVP honours were awarded to Bianca Blei, goalie for the Austrian national team, and Boris Seversky from the Tricksters.

All this action concluded a great lacrosse weekend with amazing weather, a swimming pool and friends. We are looking forward to welcome you back next year

Ranking:

MEN:
1. Nationalteam Austria
2. Vienna Monarchs
3. Bratislava Tricksters
4. Erlangen Tribesmen
5. Bulgarian Khans
6. Graz Gladiators

MVP: Nationalteam Austria: Rintaro Fujita

Woman:
1. Vienna Monarchs
2. Kiel Lacrosse
3. Graz Gladiators
4. Vienna Cherokees
5. Passau/Ingolstadt
6. Erlangen Squaws

Ranking:

MEN:
1. The Lofers
2. Vienna Monarchs 1
3. Tricksters Bratislava
4. Nationalteam Poland
5. DreadLAX
6. Team Italy
7. Helsinki Chiefs
8. Vienna Monarchs 2
9. Graz Gladiators
10. Bulgarian Khans

MVP: #45 Vienna Monarchs 1 - Klaus Hauer

WOMEN:
1. Nationalteam Austria
2. DreadLAX
3. Nationalteam Italy
4. Kiel Lacrosse
5. Vienna Monarchs

MVP: #10 Kiel Lacrosse - Luisa Lürken

Vienna was going wild. The biggest lacrosse tournament in Austria took place for the eleventh time and the Austrian Lacrosse open offered an excellent starter field. From June 19th till 21st 2015 teams from all over Europe and the United States found their way to Vienna's twenty second district. Top teams were competing for three days under beautiful weather for the title of ALO champion.

Preparation for the Women's European Championships

In the women's tournament well-known names such as the Global Players, the Czech U19 national team and the SIS Flamingos could be found in the starter field and, as an excellent preparation for the European Championships taking place in Nymburk/Czech Republic in August, the Austrian, Swiss, Norwegean and Italian national team competed on the field. The tournament hosts, the Vienna Monarchs, were playing as a mixed-team, as eleven of their players are active in the national team.

Exciting games - nerve-wrecking women's final

The eight women's teams left everything on the field. Each team was able to show their best in five games. In the end the Global Players and the Austrian national team faced each other in the final - and the stadium was going wild. The two teams fought a very tough game and gave each other a run for their money which ended in the overtime in favor of the Austrians. The ALO women's final was seldom so gripping - a true thriller. Bianca Blei, goalie of the Austrian women's national team was named women's MVP. Congratulation!

Strong men's starter field

On the artificial turf, the men were hitting the field, or rather the arms of their opponens with their lacrosse sticks. Under the eight participating teams, international top teams such as the Global Players, the Vienna Monarchs, LoveLax, Tricksters Bratislava, DreadLAX, Zürich Lions Lacrosse, Team Italy, and the A-Team could be found and they all wanted to take the title back home. In the final, just as in the women's final, it was a very competitive game when the hosts, the Vienna Monarchs, met the experienced US-players from the Global Players. The victory as well as the men's MVP belonged to our friends from the states.

At night it was also crazy

Just as in the years before, the Vienna Monarchs proved that they didn't just perfectly organize everything on, but also off the field. The lacrosse players got their money's worth at night from the Welcome Party on Thursday, to the BBQ on Friday and the Players' Party on Saturday in the MMX-Bar.

The extensive Austrian Lacrosse Open picture gallery can be found on the official ALO Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/AustrianLacrosseOpen

This year's Austrian Lacrosse Open was all about its ten year anniversary. With a record in participants, the biggest Lacrosse tournament in Austria was held from May 30th till June 1st in Vienna's 22nd district. Next to the twelve men's teams, the eight women's teams also showed some skills. This year the weather god also finally showed some mercy and all players were presented three days of fun, action and excitement.

An exciting final
The Austian Men's National Team was also under the participating teams. After their tournament win in 2010 (in preparation for the World Cup in Manchester) they wanted the title in 2014 as well - in preparation for the World Cup in Denver. In an exciting final - with controversial referee decisions - the Austrians had to take a 8:7 loss against Druva Dynamite. Other strong teams were: Tricksters Lacrosse Team, SIS Prague, DreadlLaX, Zürich Lions Lacrosse, Toblerone Lacrosse Team, Vienna Monarchs Mix, Eagles United, TSG Tübingen Lacrosse, Bundeswehr Lacrosse, Passau Lacrosse.

Pink shone like gold
In the women's tournament, the Czech team SIS Flamingo was crowned the winner. The "oldies" defeated the Czech U19 team clear with 9:2. The third place went to our Latvian players LadyLacrosse.lv. Also playing: Let’s LAX 2.0, Women’s Dutch NT DP, Vienna Cherokees and Zürich Lions Lacrosse. The hosts, Vienna Monarchs, were placed sixth.

10-year-party
The ten year anniversary was also properly celebrated. Starting with the Welcome Party on Thursday, followed by a BBQ at the fields on Friday and rounded off by the Players' Party in the MMX bar on Saturday - all around the clocks the hosts, the Vienna Monarchs, made sure the atmosphere was good. At the big tombola over 700 prices, amongst others three coffee machines as main prices, could be won. Hence, the round birthday was a complete success. We are looking forward to seeing you again in 2015!

Full success for Austria's biggest lacrosse tournament
No fewer than nine times did the Austrian Lacrosse Open take place in Vienna already. Twelf men's and eight women's teams answered the call of the Vienna Monarchs and visited the capital in order to play the fastest sport on two legs for a whole weekend.
The partly bad weather didn't impair excitment, effort, and fun and the 250 or so players made this year's Austrian Lacrosse Open another great tournament.

12 men's and 7 women's teams, international referees and umpires
Amongst the twelfth men's teams were international teams like LC Slavia Praha (Czech Republic), DreadLax (UK), Zurich Lions (CH), Mitava Lacrosse Club (Latvia), Druva Dynamite (Latvia), We and US (Bulgaria), Tricksters Lacrosse Team (Slovakia), Bundeswehr Lacrosse (Germany) and Sunnyboys St. Gallen (CH). Austria was represented by the Austrian National Team. The Graz Gladiators, Innsbruck Eagles, and of course the hosts, the Vienna Monarchs, also played exciting games from Friday till Sunday.
Alongside the Vienna Monarchs, again, the Austrian National Team, at the moment in the midst of preparations for the World Cup in Canada, could be found amongst the seven women's teams including the AustrianSlovakian mixedteam Tricking Keegles, the Swiss team Sugaria, Lady Lacrosse from Latvia, the German Team Let's Lax, as well as the Czech U19 National Team.

Placements
The men's title went to the Zurich Lions after an exciting final. They won against the Austrian Men's National Team 7:3. The winner of the women's games was the Austrian National Team which dominated the games as they already did last year. The Latvian team reached second place, third place went to the young girls of the Czech U19 National Team.

BBQ, players party, and award ceremony
It's well known that the mood at the Austrian Lacrosse Open is good on as well as offside the field. On Friday evening a delicious BBQ was prepared in the sunshine on the field. The following day saw the legendary players party. The highlight of the party was the screening of the pictures that were taken during the first two days of the tournament. After three successful tournament days the winners were celebrated at the award ceremony and the MVPs Klaus Hauer from the Austrian Men's National Team, and  from the Czech U19 rooster were Kristýna Šturmová named.

10 year anniversary 2014
By the way, 2014 will be the ten year anniversary of the Austrian Lacrosse Open. We're looking forward to a successful, fun, and sunny weekend with all of you!
 

For the 8th times, the Austrian Lacrosse Open were held at FC Hellas Kagran, as in the last few years. The weather was fantastic, the players motivated and the trophies polished to a high shine. Like every year, a lot of competent referees were travelled to Vienna to ensure fair and safe games.

12 men teams and 5 women teams
The male participants were internationally staffed. Especially we were pleased about the participation of our Bulgarian friends who have become a solid part of the ALO. Unfortunately in the women's competition were just five participants, who fought for the victory.

Champions
In the men's final, Karlsruhe Storm met the U19 national team from the Czech Republic. The opponents gave everything and a tough, exciting game was offered to the spectators, which the Czechs won. The Vienna Monarchs could secure the third place against the Bratislava Tricksters.
The women's tournament was dominated by the Austrian National Team and won expectably the final against the Swisspagnol Ninja Nixen. Vici und die starken Frauen finished third.

For the seventh time the Vienna Monarchs hosted the Austrian Lacrosse Open. The organization was excellent once again, even if the weather didn't play along at all times. Nevertheless, the lacrosse-enthused guests didn't give in.
 
12 men's and 8 women's teams
12 men's and 8 women's teams followed the invitation this year and took on the trip to Vienna. The Global Players had the longest trip, coming all the way from the United States.

Winners
In the final of the women's tournament, the Global Players were able to take home the win against Hannover. Third place went to the Hatch End Hawks from England. The hosts, the Vienna Monarchs, were able to take home fifth place.
The men's tournament peaked in a thrilling final between the Global Players and Bratislava Tricksters. In the end the Tricksters were a step ahead and celebrated their victory. The men from the LC Slavia Praha came in at third place.

Sensational atmosphere at the largest lacrosse event in Austria
In 2010, the Austrian Lacrosse open took place for the sixth time and it was a huge success. Under the motto “Life is too short to play normal sports!” the Vienna Monarchs organized a tournament in a class of its own. The weekend from 14 to 16 of May was a big sport spectacle.

12 men teams and 6 women teams
Even though the event caused a sensation in the European lacrosse country the year before, the standards for this year were set even higher. 12 men teams and 6 ladies teams devoted themselves to the fastest sport on two legs. The tournament included teams from Austria, Bulgaria, Canada, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Germany, Slovenia and Great Britain. Since there are a lot of international teams, the level of the tournament rises year after year. The growing number of participants of more than 200 players emphasizes the perfect organization as well as the international famosity and popularity of lacrosse events.

Party-Feeling
There was also a great ambiance off the field – namely at the ALO parties. They began with the welcome party at the “Segelstrand”. The first game day which took place the next day ended with a great bbq on the field. Hard to top was the ALO player’s party in the ALLiN club. With its awesome beats and great lacrosse-pics the people celebrated until early morning hours.

Champions
In 2010, the women of the Hamburg Warriors won. In an exciting final they could prevail against the women of the Prague team. The Vienna Lady Monarchs reached the 5th place. The men of the Austrian national team could scramble a victory against the men from Prague. The Vienna Monarchs men team did also well and landed the 6th place.