A weekend to remember as play resumed in Europe!
[su_dropcap]I[/su_dropcap]f you thought that the European American Football championships were exciting, this past weekend offered excellent club football action from around the continent.
The EFAF Big6 Tournament games were as tight and exciting as ever. Involving six of the best teams in Europe and some of the finest coaches and players the games are always a treat to watch. The tough physical battle displayed in Austria, where the Berlin Adler (Europe #2) upset the former number one ranked Swarco Raiders (Europe #3) was an example of this. It was intense and mesmerizing to watch. In Vienna, the Dresden Monarchs (Europe #4) came from behind to outscore the Vienna Vikings (Europe #5) 41-35. With so much offense, the game gave the crowd and the online audience plenty to enjoy.
One other EFAF Eurobowl game was played as the Cologne Falcons (Europe #8) beat the Dusseldorf Panther 43-36.
In the IFAF Europe Champions League, the playoffs are already set with the semifinals slated for July 11th and the championship game July 13th. The Thonon Black Panthers (Europe #11) from France will face the Serbian squad SBB Vukovi Belgrade (Europe #19) in one semifinal, while the Elancourt Templiers (also France) will play the Helsinki Roosters from Finland (Europe #13).
Next week we will break down the structure of American football in Europe.
Here then is what happened around the continent last weekend.
Austria
In the first league game in the Austrian league since May 17, the Danube Dragons (Europe #7) played host to the Prague Black Panthers (Europe #10) and in another thrilling offensive display beat the Panthers 49-45.
Belgium
In the Belgian semifinals, a team from each league prevailed. Representing the Flemish league, the FAFL, the Ghent Gators overcame a tough Ostend Pirates team to win 16-14. Meanwhile, the Brussels Tigers, the top team from the French league – the LFFAB – eked out a 7-3 victory over cross-town rivals the Brussels Black Angels.
So, on June 29, the Ghent Gators will play the Brussels Tigers for the Belgian title in Belgian Bowl XXVII. Read more next week on the game and the teams.
CEFL (Central European Football League)
No games were played this week, but there will be a full slate on June 21.
Czech Republic
In Czech league action, the Prague Black Panthers (Europe #10) dispatched the Brno Alligators 57-20 in the second game of the weekend for them. They had played the Danube Dragons in the Austrian league the day before. You have to call that a tough schedule. Two games in two days! And they are still ranked in Europe’s Top 20. They remain undefeated and in first in the Czech league. The second place Prnobram Bobcats (5-1) defeated the Trnava Bulldogs (fourth) 34-27 while the Prague Lions rolled over the Stallions 35-0.
Denmark
Three games were played in the Danish top league. The Copenhagen Towers improved their record to 4-0 with a 72-0 shellacking of Esbjerg. The Towers lead Group 1 with Aarhus in second at 3-1. The Aamager Demons, (3-2) in Group 1, rolled up at 47-31 victory over the AaB 89ers (2-3) from Group 2, while the Herlev Rebels, in Group 2 dominated the Holbaeck Red Devils 41-13. The Triangle Razorbacks remain in first in Group 2 followed by the Gold Diggers and Herlev in third.
Finland
The Finnish season kicked off on June 13 and the power behind perennial top contender, the Helsinki Wolverines, has seemingly disappeared as they were demolished in embarrassing fashion by the Seinajoki Crocodiles, 79-14. Elsewhere, the Turku Trojans were 28-12 victors over the Porvoo Butchers while the Helsinki 69ers beat the Kouvola Indians 35-13. Finally, the Helsinki Roosters (Europe #13) scored three touchdowns and kicked a field goal to defeat Vantaa TAFT 24-7.
Germany
North
The German league GFL got back into action. The last game played was May 25th. In what had been touted as the game to watch, the Braunschweig New Yorker Lions (Europe #1) were too powerful for the Kiel Baltic Hurricanes (Europe #9) beating them 37-0 and moving into first place in the North. Although the Lions have only played two games so far this season due to their commitments in Euro league action, they have been very impressive. Kiel suffered serious injuries within the squad, but will have to heal quickly as they face the same opponent this coming week, this time at home in Kiel.
South
All eight teams were in action in the South. The Stuttgart Scorpions (Europe #12) extended their undefeated record (6-0) beating the Bandits 49-41. The second-place Marburg Mercenaries (3-1) edged Saarland 51-49 in a shootout, bumping the Hurricanes down to the fifth spot with a 2-3 record. Schwabisch Hall Unicorns had no mercy on the Franken Knights pummeling them 62-20, rolling up 661 yards in total offense (336 on the ground). In the fourth game, the Munich Cowboys (2-3) grabbed a much-needed win, beating the Allgau Comets (2-2) 29-26 to stay close to a playoff spot.
Great Britain
Due to technical difficulties, the scores and standings for the BAFA have not been posted for this week yet. We will update next week.
Holland
The Dutch semifinals take place June 22th. The Alphen Eagles will face the second place team from Group B, the Arnhem Falcons. Then the Amsterdam Crusaders will take on the Nijmegen Pirates, second in A. The Alphen Eagles are the defending champions having won the past two Tulip Bowls (Dutch championship game). Their opponent in both games was the Crusaders. In fact, since 2004 the Amsterdam Crusaders have appeared in the Tulip Bowl nine times and won six titles.
Ireland
The Belfast Trojans, who lead the IAFL North, defeated the Dublin Rebels 34-19 in a game that was important for playoff positions. Belfast is now 6-1 with Dublin at 5-1. But the win gives the Trojans the advantage in the result of a tie. In the south, Trinity College Dublin remains the only undefeated team in Ireland after whipping the last place Waterford Wolves 34-0. The game between the Carrick Knights and the West Dublin Rhinos had to be called at halftime with the Rhinos leading 8-0. An injury to one of the players required hospital treatment and the ambulance carrying him could not return in time for the game to continue. The rules state that an ambulance must be on site at all times for play to continue. There is no word as to when the game can be resumed. With three weeks left in the season, the Belfast Trojans still lead the North with 12 points with the Rebels second with 10. Trinity College has a solid grip on first in the South with 14 points and they are followed by the University of Limerick Vikings with eight points.
Italy
In the final weekend of play before the playoffs,the Parma Panthers (Europe #12) and top team in Italy, took care of third place Bolzano Giants 35-7. They finished the season 10-0 and will face Bergamo, who finished fourth, in the semifinals. Bergamo had no trouble with Lazio, beating them 26-0. The second-place Milano Seamen were idle, but finished the season 9-1, their only loss coming at the hands of the Panthers. So this coming weekend will see the semifinals played. On Saturday, June 21 the Milano Seamen (8-2) take on the third place Bolzano Giants. This could be the game to watch as the Seamen squeaked by Bolzano 10-7 earlier in the year. Parma will take on Bergamo after having beaten them handily 34-6 on May 25. The Italian Superbowl takes place on July 6. Parma has won the past four Italian Superbowls and are heavy favorites to win the 2014 title.
Norway
Only two games were played this past weekend. The Eidsvoll 1814s (Europe #20) were surprised by the play of the last place Ntnui Nidaros Domers. They still beat them 48-32 but did not expect the resistance the Domers displayed. On the Sunday, the Kristiansand Gladiators were merciless, mauling the Vålerenga Trolls 46-13. With four games remaining in the season, the 1814s remain solidly in first at 5-0. Lura has now dropped two games in a row, but still sits in second, with Kristiansand close behind in third.
Poland
With now only weeks left in the regular season in Poland the top three spots are tightening up. The first-place and undefeated Gdynia Seahawks manhandled the Steelers 62-27 solidifying their stranglehold on first to extend their record to 8-0. The Seahawks have the most explosive offense in the Topliga having scored a total of 336 points in eight games (42 points a game). Warsaw leapfrogged Wroclaw into second beating up on fourth place Kozly 28-0.
Serbia
In the final weekend of league play, Vukovi Belgrade (Europe #19), who have only been threatened once during the regular season manhandled the Indiji Indians 54-13. Vukovi finished first in the league with a 7-0 record. The second-place Novi sad Dukes overwhelmed Imperatoriis 34-6. Finally, the Kragujevac Wild Boars beat the Panthers 35-12. With this, the playoff structure is as follows: First place Vukovi will play fourth place Imperatorinis and second place Novi Sad will play the Wild Boars who finished third. Both semifinal games will be played on June 28th. The Serbian championship is scheduled for July 5th.
Spain
The Valencia Firebats and Badalona Dracs played one of the most exciting championship games seen in many years in Spain. On the final play of the game, which was tied 18-18, Badalona lined up for a long 50 yard field goal attempt. They faked it and threw for a 40 yard touchdown to win the game!
Sweden
The Swedish Super Series returned to action this past weekend and the gap between two groups of teams is already apparent. The Uppsala 86ers made short work of the STU Northside Bulls handing them a 34-0 loss. Swedish title contender the Orebro Black Knights rolled over the Arlanda Jets 57-7. The Kristianstad Predators with Swedish national team quarterback Phillip Juhlin at the helm whipped newcomers the Limhamn Griffins 47-0. Finally, the Tyresö Royal Crowns handed former powerhouse the Stockholm Mean Machines a 55-0 drubbing.
Switzerland
The Basel Gladiators are storming through the Swiss league. This past weekend they beat the second place Calanda Broncos 37-21 to take over sole possession of first place in the league. This avenged an earlier loss to Calanda. The Bern Grizzlies sit securely in third place with a 38-6 win over the Winterthur Warriors while Zurich Renegades handed Lausanne a 48-38 loss assuring the Renegades of the last playoff spot. The Swiss semifinals are scheduled for July 5.
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