RB Andreas Hofbauer (Photo ©Herbert Kratky/photokratky.com Courtesy: AFBOE)

A three-time offensive MVP of the Swarco Raiders Tirol, he helped his team win the 2011 Eurobowl. He also played for Austria on the winning 2011 European Junior Championship team, scoring three touchdowns in the gold medal game and earning tournament MVP honors.

Position: RB
Jersey Number: 29
Height: 5-11
Weight: 206
Hometown: Innsbruck
Country: Austria
School/Club: Swarco Raiders

How was the experience of representing Austria in the 2011 European Junior Championships?

The European Championship was really one of the best experiences I've ever had with football because we went in as underdogs. No one expected us to win the tournament, so when we had the first game against Germany, we were so motivated. We didn't want Germany to win this game because there's always a little rivalry between us. From then on, everything went like we wanted it to. Hopefully, when we have the World Championships this summer here in Texas, we can rebuild the spirit we had. I'm really excited about 2012.

How does the level of competition here at the International Bowl compare to the European Junior Championships?

Of course, these [athletes in the International Bowl] are the best players of the world, so this level is higher here than the level in Europe. But, I think we are close to reaching the same level of the Canadians, the Mexicans, the Samoans and the Japanese. I think Europe is getting better and better, and football is getting bigger and bigger. We have around 10,000 people attending the stadium when my team [the Swarco Raiders] plays. I think maybe in a couple of years there will be some world championships with European winners.

What do you hope to get of your experience in the International Bowl?

I hope that I can show what I'm capable of. Of course, all of the other stuff around football is great: getting to know other people from completely different places in the world and learning about their cultures and their behaviors. They're funny guys. I think that's the great thing about this game. You don't see racism around here, or nationalism. We are all one group. We have one dream and we all follow it. This is one of the best experiences you can have as a young man.