Around the Continent: Week 4 Full of Upsets And Close Calls
[tps_title]Around the Continent[/tps_title]
Spain
Despite losing their quarterback Chris Debowski two weeks ago for the season, the Valencia Firebats managed to hold off the defending champion Badalona Dracs keeping them to three points beating them 7-3. Then Madrid’s Osos Rivas beat the Valencia Giants 27-14 breaking a logjam to take sole possession of second place in the league. Finally, the L’Hospitalet Pioners trounced the Mallorca Voltors 41-6.
With three games remaining in the Spanish league the Firebats still remain in first with a 6-1 record, but Osos Rivas is now in second followed by Badalona and the Giants. The Pioners still have a mathematical chance to make the playoffs but it will mean winning all three of their remaining games while the Giants would have to lose two of their last three.
The Pioners head to Milan this weekend to take on the Milano Seamen in a first round Champions League Central game.
Sweden
The Swedish season gets underway on May 2 this year. But the Carlstad Crusaders travel to Copenhagen this weekend to face the Towers in the first round of Champions League North play.
Switzerland
In a surprising upset the Zurich Renegades beat the defending champion Basel Gladiators for the first time since 2012, handing them a 21-12 loss. Then the Calanda Broncos manhandled the Winterthur Warriors 45-20. Finally the Luzern Lions dropped a 13-10 decision to the Bern Grizzlies. The Gladiator’s loss enabled Calanda to take sole possession of first in the Swiss league, and dropped Basel to fourth.
Turkey
In Turkey, the league leading Koc Rams beat the Bogazici Sultans 20-7 to remain undefeated at 6-0. The Gazi Warriors defeated the Anadolu USK Rangers 30-16 to pull even with them in the standings. The ODTÜ Falcons had a walkover win over the Ege BSK Dolphins who have folded. The score from the game between Hacettepe Red Deers and the second place ITÜ Hornets has not yet been reported.
Ukraine
The Ukrainian season starts April 18 when the Lviv Lions tangle with the Kiev Bandits.
