Bavaria Defends Title at Youth State Tournament – 13 Munich Cowboys Celebrate U18 Championship
Bavarian Warriors Get Off to a Dominant Start in the Tournament
On October 24 and 25, some of the best U18 American football talents in Germany gathered in Bochum and Herne. The AFVD’s youth state tournament is one of the most important youth events in German football and offers young players the opportunity to showcase their skills at a high national level.
Bavaria entered the tournament as the defending champion and underscored its ambitions right from the start. Against the Saxony Knights, the Bavarian Warriors celebrated a decisive 51–0 victory.
In their second game, they faced a much tougher opponent in Baden-Württemberg. In an intense, defense-oriented match, Bavaria narrowly prevailed 14–12, securing their spot in the final.
13 Munich Cowboys on the Bavarian All-Star Team
The Munich contingent was particularly strong at the youth all-state tournament. With 13 players from the Munich Cowboys, the long-standing Munich club made up a large portion of the Bavarian U18 roster.
Representing Bavaria from Munich were:
Niklas Aust, Diego Beinbrech, Marius Boos, Matteo Casin, Samir El Nour, Till Faßhauer, Ronan Gaag, Florian Gebhardt, Joseph Gundel, Leopold Leipfinger, Maximilian Mäntele, Tizian Sami, and Max Schiller.
The players covered nearly every position on the team—from the offensive and defensive lines to running backs and wide receivers, all the way to linebackers and the secondary.
The high proportion of players from Munich underscores the importance of the Munich Cowboys’ youth development program for American football in Bavaria.
Strong Defense Paves the Way to the Final
The Bavarian Warriors were particularly strong on defense throughout the entire tournament. Even against Baden-Württemberg, the Bavarian team allowed few opportunities and maintained control during the decisive phase.
After the narrow victory, Head Coach Martin Hansemann praised above all his team’s mentality and their willingness to fight for every possession until the very end.With two wins in two games, it was clear: Bavaria once again had a chance at the German U18 state championship title.
Final Against Host North Rhine-Westphalia
Awaiting them in the final was the tournament host, the GreenMachine NRW. North Rhine-Westphalia had previously defeated the Lower Saxony Mustangs 21–0 and advanced to the final without conceding a single point. But in the final, Bavaria took control.
The Bavarian Warriors did not allow the GreenMachine a single point and won the final 19–0. With this victory, the Bavarian state team defended its title from the previous year and remains the German U18 state champion.
Munich Talents Celebrate German U18 Title
For the 13 players of the Munich Cowboys, this triumph marks another important achievement in their still-young football careers.
The Youth State Championship is not only a competition for the title but also an important platform for promoting talent in German American football.
Players from various clubs are scouted throughout the season, brought together for tryouts, and prepared for the tournament. Coaches from the German junior national teams observe the young talents under competitive conditions.
For some of the Munich players, winning the title could thus also be the next step toward the national team.
Youth State Tournament as a Springboard for the Next Generation of Talent
The significance of the tournament therefore extends far beyond mere rankings. For years, the JLT has been regarded as an important stepping stone between club football, state teams, and the national team. Many young players use the tournament to draw attention to themselves on a larger national stage for the first time.
Former German football players who later made the leap to the international level also previously played for their state teams.
American Football in Munich Continues to Gain Momentum
The Bavarian Warriors’ championship title is thus a strong signal from Munich’s perspective as well. With the Munich Cowboys, the Munich Ravens, successful flag football teams, and numerous school and youth development programs, Munich now boasts a broad football landscape.
At the same time, the NFL is drawing international attention with the NFL Munich Game 2026 between the Detroit Lions and the New England Patriots.
While NFL stars will take the field in Munich in November, the Bavarian Warriors’ success also demonstrates that there is a great deal of talent among the youth in Bavaria and Munich.
For the Bavarian Warriors, the 2026 Youth State Championship concludes with the best possible result: three games, three wins, and a successful title defense as German U18 State Champions—with 13 players from the Munich Cowboys right in the thick of it.
