Around the Continent – Week of October 2nd, 2014
Championships Looming!
[su_dropcap]T[/su_dropcap]German semi-finals took place this past weekend and as predicted the Braunschweig New Yorker Lions (AFI Europe #1) had a comfortable time of it giving the Cologne Falcons (AFI Europe #7) 52-3 trouncing. In the other semi-final game, the Schwabisch Hall Unicorns (AFI Europe #4) proved that they belong among the elite teams in Germany outlasting the Dresden Monarchs (AFI Europe #5) 33-28. Read the recap in the Germany section.
Unicorns defense in control
The Danish semi-finals produced a surprise as the Aarhus Tigers, who had lost to the Triangle Razorbacks during the regular season by a hefty margin, returned the favor, beating the Razorbacks 37-29. In the other semi-final, as expected the favorite Copenhagen Towers (AFI Europe #16) beat up on their arch rivals the Sollerod Gold Diggers 33-8.
Three weeks ago, the Helsinki Roosters (AFI Europe #8) defended their Finnish title beating the Turku Trojans 21-7 in Maple Bowl XXXV thus claiming two championships in 2014. They also won the IFAF Europe Champions League.
The Moscow Patriots took back their Russian title, downing the Astrakhan Gladiators 27-12 in Moscow two weeks ago.
We have added three more sections this week thanks to the enthusiasm and vigilance of Filippo Rostoni. We are now covering Portugal, Hungary, and the Ukraine. Also, the Balkan League with teams from Romania, Bulgaria and Serbia kicks off in October. We will do our utmost to cover those as well.
Here then is a brief summary of what has happened around the continent in 2014.
Austria
The Austrian final in July, Austrian Bowl XXX, was a thriller for the ages as the Vienna Vikings (Europe #2) and the Swarco Raiders (Europe #3) battled to a 17-17 tie in regulation time. Vienna scored the only touchdown in overtime to win its third straight Austrian title 24-17. Read the game recap here.
Belgium
Belgian Bowl XXVII saw a new champion crowned in July as the Ghent Gators made no mistake handing the defending champion the Brussels Tigers a 38-0 pummeling. This was the first ever title win for the Gators and they did it on their first try. Read the game recap HERE!
Ghent Gators Belgian champs
CEFL (Central European Football League)
Vukvoi Belgrade (Europe #12) capped a grueling yet highly successful season in July, by beating the Ljubjana Silverhawks 27-17 to win their second title of the year. Vukovi reached three championship finals winning two of them. A remarkable achievement.
Czech Republic
The Czech championship ended, as expected last month, with the Prague Black Panthers (Europe #11) taking the title beating the Pnbram Bobcats 40-0. With that, Prague finished a great season with a record of 13-6. They played more games than any other team in Europe.
Denmark
In Denmark, the two finalists for the 2014 Mermaid Bowl have been decided. The league number one Copenhagen Towers were not threatened by the Sollerod Gold Diggers and beat them handily 33-8. However, in the other semi, there was a surprising upset as the Aarhus Tigers beat the favorite Triangle Razorbacks 33-29. Earlier in the season the Razorbacks had crushed the Tigers 42-7.
So on October 11, the Copenhagen Towers will face the Aarhus Tigers in the Danish championship – the 25th Mermaid Bowl.
Finland
In Finland, the Helsinki Roosters took a 7-0 lead behind the running of Jaycen Taylor (championship MVP) and then cruised to a 21-7 victory over the number two team in Finland , the Turku Trojans to win Maple Bowl XXXV for the third year in a row.
See the complete recap here!
France
The Thonon Black Panthers (Europe #13) won the French league in thrilling fashion two months ago. But they lost lost in the semi-finals of the inaugural IFAF Europe Champions League tournament to Vukovi Belgrade 19-7.
