Around the Continent: The Upsets Have Started!
[tps_title]Around the Continent[/tps_title]
Spain
In Spain, the Valencia Firebats finally flinched as crosstown rival the Valencia Giants handed them their first defeat with a 26-20 win over the Firebats. Then the Badalona Dracs gave the L’Hospitalet Pioners a 48-0 drubbing while Madrid’s Osos Rivas beat the Mallorca Voltors 30-6.
With four games remaining in the Spanish league the Firebats still remain in first with a 5-1 record, but the Giants are now solidly in second with their surprising win. Badalona and Osos Rivas are tied with the Giants also at 4-2 but the Giants have the second spot by virtue of the record between the three.
Sweden
The Swedish season gets underway on May 2 this year.
Switzerland
The Swiss season opened with an upset as the upstart Luzern Lions in their first year back in the top division handed the Zurich Renegades a 32-30 defeat. The defending champion Basel Gladiators had no trouble turning back the Bern Grizzlies 38-14 while the Calanda Broncos beat the Winterthur Warriors 36-10.
Turkey
The Turkish season resumed this past weekend. The eight team league had played the first four to five games in November and December and then took a three month break. Of the three scores reported so far, the ITÜ Hornets beat the Ege BSK Dolphins 25-0 while the Bogazici Sultans shut out the Hacettepe Red Deers 47-0. Finally, the Anadolu USK Rangers defeated the ODTÜ Falcons by an 8-0 score. The league-leading and undefeated Koc Rams were playing the Gazi Warriors but the score is not in yet. The Rams have the stingiest defense in the league allowing a mere three points a game so far.
Ukraine
The Ukrainian season starts April 18 when the Lviv Lions tangle with the Kiev Bandits.
