LIVE STREAM: Swarco Raiders Host Schwäbisch Hall Unicorns In Big6

The Big6 tournament continues Saturday with perhaps the most anticipated game of the early season as the defending Austrian champions, the Swarco Raiders will play host to German Bowl finalist the Schwäbisch Hall Unicorns.

The winner of this game advances to the Eurobowl final.

There is no denying the importance of this game to Swarco head coach Shuan Fatah:

“This is the single most important game of the season. This is like an anticipated final. Schwäbisch Hall is one of the best teams in Europe. The Unicorns are a class of its own, especially on offense. This was borne out last weekend, when the whole world witnessed how the ex-Unicorns receiver Moritz Boehringer has made the leap to the NFL. “

Both teams have beaten the Berlin Adler easily in this tournament. Swarco won 57-0 while the Unicorns shut Berlin out 28-0.

The Raiders enter the game undefeated in 2016 having won all four contests in the Austrian league, both Battle4Tirol games and the Big6 game against the Adler.

Quarterback Sean Shelton is having an outstanding year so far. He leads the Austrian league in passing with 1,088 yards and seven touchdowns while tossing for 673 yards and five touchdowns against the Helsinki Roosters and Stuttgart Scorpions in the Battle4Tirol.

Running back Milton Knox has been a key to the Raiders ground attack since moving to the Austrian titleholders from the Thonon Black Panthers in France.

The highly versatile Kyle Callahan is always a threat for Swarco.

On defense, corner Vincent Müller has been outstanding for the Raiders and has three interceptions on the year to go along with 10 tackles.

The Unicorns have developed into one of the elite teams in Germany in recent years under the guidance of head coach Siegfried Gehrke. Schwäbisch Hall has appeared in four of the last five German Bowls and won two of them.

Team Germany quarterback Marco Ehrenfried is back behind center lending his steady hand to the offense. Nevertheless, the team has seen some changes with the loss of three starting receivers (Mortiz Boehringer, Patrck Donahue and Felix Brenner). Veteran running back Danny Washington has been added while Tyler Rutenbeck fills in a wide receiver.

On defense, the Unicorns have brought in imports Devin Benton at defensive end and linebacker Nick Alfieri. Also on defense, they have added linebackers Daniel Emmanuel (Ingolstadt Dukes) and Niko Knoblauch (Holzgerlingen Twisters) as well as safety Mark Scherenberg (Aachen Vampires, formerly Cologne Falcons).

Defensive back Cody Pastorino shone in the game against Frankfurt with eight tackles, two tackles for loss while forcing two fumbles.

In addition to beating Berlin, Schwäbisch Hall has also defeated the newly promoted Frankfurt Universe, beating them  26-21 on a late touchdown in the German league season opener. Washington had 126 yards rushing in that game and one touchdown.

This game promises to be exciting between two very well coached teams with savvy head coaches.

Kickoff: Saturday May 7, 5:10 PM (11:10 AM EDT)

BIG6: Swarco Raiders v. Schwäbisch Hall Unicorns