Around the Continent: Roger’s Corner – 7/11/14
Ireland
In the final weekend of regular season play the Belfast Trojans (IAFL North) beat up the Knights (IAFL North) 50-0. The Dublin Rebels (IAFL North) delivered the same punishment to the North Kildare Reapers (IAFL South) downing them 53-0 . The Craigavon Cowboys (IAFL North) edged the Dublin Rhinos 24-21 (IAFL North). Finally the West Dublin Rhinos barely got by the lowly and winless Waterford Wolves 7-0. With that, the Belfast Trojans finish first in the North at 7-1 and have earned a bye in the first round of the playoffs. Trinity University Dublin were undefeated and also have a bye. The wildcard playoffs start July 20. But the second half of the game between the Rhinos and Knights, which was postponed due to a medical emergency, will be played this weekend. The outcome of that game will determine the final playoff positions. The wildcard playoffs will be held July 20. The Irish championship game, the Shamrock Bowl takes place August 7.
Italy
The Milano Seamen enjoyed the biggest upset in many a year in Italy in the Italian championship game defeating the seemingly unstoppable Parma Panthers in a walk 33-3. Read the game recap here on AFI.
Norway
The Norwegian semi-finals finished pretty much as expected with the Eidsvoll 1814s whipping the Oslo Vikings 62-25. Meanwhile Kristiansand Gladiators made it to their third straight Norwegian final. Kristiansand beat the Lura Bulls 14-6. In the only game between the 1814s and Gladiators this season, Eidsvoll prevailed 23-0. The Norwegian championship game is this Saturday July 12 in Oslo.
Poland
The final two games of the Polish regular season had no bearing on the playoff picture, except for home field. The Wroclaw Panthers took it easy on the winless Sharks and still came away with a 38-0 victory. In the other game, the Warsaw Eagles upset the Gdynia Seahawks 30-21 dropping them into third. So Wroclaw finished first at 8-2, followed by Warsaw also 8-2. The Seahawks were third and Kozly fourth. So The semifinals are scheduled for July 19 and 20 as Wroclaw faces Kozly and the Eagles are at home against the Seahawks. Wroclaw finished the season with an amazing 400 points scored while allowing only 79 against.
Serbia
Vukovi Beograd (Europe #19) had their hands full but still came away with the Serbian championship crown beating the Kragujevac Wild Boars 27-17.
Spain
The season has ended with the Badalona Dracs as new champions.
Sweden
In the highlight game of the weekend, the Carlstad Crusaders (Europe #15) took care of the first place Tyreso Royal Crowns 28-18 while the Uppsala 86ers beat the winless Limhamn Griffins 35-18. The Orebro Black Knights then defeated the Kristianstad Predators 17-0. Thus, Uppsala jumped up to first at 4-0 with Carlstad second also at 4-0. Uppsala has a better point differential. Tyreso dropped to third with the Black Knights in fourth.
Switzerland
In the Swiss semi-finals there were no surprises. The first place Basel Gladiators (Europe # 18) had no trouble with Zurich beating them 44-20. The defending champion Calanda Broncos then manhandled the Bern Grizzlies 65-37. This Saturday July 12, Basel plays Calanda for the Swiss championship, the 2014 Swiss Bowl (#28). This will be the fifth straight meeting between these two teams in the final. Calanda has won the past five championship games, beating Basel in four of them. Last year’s score was 46-41 Calanda.
