EQC 2017 Group H Preview

With European Quidditch Cup (EQC) 2017 rapidly approaching, the Quidditch Post takes a look at each of the teams competing in this year’s tournament.

Group H

Durhamstrang

By Hannah Dignum

Despite the departure of key graduates and others, Durham has performed surprisingly well this season at both Northern Cup and British Quidditch Cup (BQC).  However, this Durham squad struggles with physicality and aggression.

Austrian EQC Qualification Review

By Emina Botic 

Editor’s Note: Emina Botic is a player for the Vienna Vanguards.

On Saturday, January 21, the two Viennese teams, the Danube Direwolves and the Vienna Vanguards, competed for Austria’s only spot at the European Quidditch Cup (EQC). A single game decided who will take part in the tournament and compete with the European quidditch elite in Mechelen, Belgium, on March 25-26.

International Weekend Wrap-Up - January 21-22

Contributions by Chula Bruggeling, Lena Mandahus, TJ Goaley, Neha Korrapati, Kenny Stowe, and Nat Davis There is a lot going on in the world of quidditch on any particular weekend, and most of us only see the stories immediately relevant to our regions. However, it can be very interesting to look outside of our own bubble every once in awhile and take a look at the rest of the global community. To that end, each week the Quidditch Post collects information about tournaments and events that happened during the weekend around the world. This week we are covering the Dutch EQC Qualifier; the Austrian EQC Qualifier; USQ Southwest’s Brooms on the Brazos; USQ South’s Old Money Classic IV and the Horns up for Harambe Memorial Championship; and USQ Great Lakes’ the Grindy Slam Winter Jam.

International Weekend Wrap-Up - December 17-18

Contributions by Marco Anglano, Lena Mandahus, and Lucas Szykula

There is a lot going on in the world of quidditch on any particular weekend, and most of us only see the stories immediately relevant to our regions. However, it can be very interesting to look outside of our own bubble every once in a while and take a look at the rest of the global community. To that end, each week the Quidditch Post collects information about tournaments and events that happened during the weekend around the world.

This week we are covering some international friendlies with teams from Austria and Germany, Girone Rosso, part of the Lega Quidditch (Quidditch League) in Italy, and the international Copa del Sur in Argentina.

Danube Cup Recap: The Wiener Does Take It All

General information by Emina Botic Analysis by Martin Hofbauer

The first international quidditch tournament in Austria, the Danube Cup: The Wiener takes it all, took place on the weekend of Oct. 8 and 9 in Vienna.  Eight teams competed in the tournament: the host teams (Danube Direwolves and Vienna Vanguards), four teams from Germany, one team from Slovenia, and one from Slovakia.

World Cup 2016: Spotlight on Austria | Österreich im Blickpunkt

History, Squad, and Interview by Lena Mandahus

Analysis by Katharina Fürnkranz 

Für die deutsche Version siehe unten (von Lena Mandahus)

History

Quidditch in Austria started in Oct. 2014. Soon after, the first team, the Vienna Vanguards, was founded, driven by the prospect of going to European Quidditch Cup (EQC) 2015. Around half a year later, a more recreational team, the Danube Direwolves, was established. Currently, the Vienna Vanguards and Danube Direwolves are the only quidditch teams in the country. Both teams are community-based, but most players study at one of Vienna’s universities. Due to the small number of teams, Austria has yet to host a national tournament; however, this will most likely change once more teams are established throughout the country. In order to help the sport grow in the region, both teams take turns hosting open practices throughout the year.

Through the Eyes of an Outsider

by Anna Koivu

Sitting down for an interview is not something new for Alena Brunner, who studies and works in the Department of Social and Cultural Anthropology at the University of Vienna. During the last few months, Brunner has been following and interviewing the members of the Vienna Vanguards for her ongoing master’s thesis dealing with the aspects of identity, material culture, and fan practices within the Harry Potter fandom. We thought it was about time the tables were turned and had Brunner answer some questions instead.

European Games 2015: Triumphs and Controversies

By Abby Whiteley

Introduction

On 25–26 July 2015, the inaugural European Games were held in Sarteano, Italy. Teams representing 12 European nations came together in the first tournament of its kind to play for the title of European champions. After a nail-biting final against the United Kingdom, France took the championship 80*-40, which followed its victory at the 2015 European Quidditch Cup (EQC) and established its position as the strongest quidditch nation in Europe. This tournament brought with it fantastic matches and exciting indications for the development of quidditch in Europe, as well as  a couple of controversies along the way. Here we will look at the performances of each national team and break down some of the conversations brought on by the tournament.

EQC Division 1 Team Reviews

On the 18 and 19 April, the 2015 European Quidditch Cup (EQC) was held in Oxford, UK. With 32 teams from 11 regions, it was the biggest quidditch tournament held outside North America to date. Now that the dust has settled, our writers review how each team performed, starting with the 16 teams who made it into Division 1.

Onward to Oxford: Vienna Vanguards

As part of our efforts to preview all 32 teams competing in the European Quidditch Cup (EQC), the Quidditch Post is chatting with representatives from each team. Today we spoke with Chris Gassner, captain of the Vienna Vanguards.