In a Big6 battle of North and South, the German Football League northern division Berlin Rebels will play host to southern division rivals the Frankfurt Universe in a “do or die” game to decide who faces the Braunschweig New Yorker Lions in Eurobowl XXXI.
Berlin dropped a one point 14-13 decision to the Milano Seamen in Italy a couple of weeks agao, while Frankfurt disposed of Milano last week in Frankfurt 38-13. In order to advance however, Berlin needs to win by 14 points or more. Frankfurt can lose by 13 points and still move on.
But this will be a different Rebels team than the one that seemingly underestimated the Seamen and struggled in the heat and humidity of Milan.
Frankfurt RB Silas Nacita eludes Milano tacklers Photo: C-Sportspics
Both of these teams advanced to the German quarterfinal round in 2016. Berlin was ousted by eventual finalists the Schwäbisch Hall Unicorns while Frankfurt succumbed to the Kiel Baltic Hurricanes.
Berlin enters the game with perhaps potentially the most powerful rushing attack in Germany with two of the top three rushers in the league in 2016 in Lawrence McCoy and Chris Smith. However, Frankfurt’s Silas Nacita was the third leading rusher in Germany in 2016. While McCoy and Smith had a quiet game in the Rebels 47-13 regular season win over the Adler, Nacita was a key in the Universe’s victory against Stuttgart gaining 166 yards including a spectacular 80 yard touchdown run.
Berlin Rebels RB Lawrence McCoy heading upfield against Adler Photo: frtp.de / sports photography
In last weekend’s win over Milano, Nacita again played a key role. gaining 106 yards of it while his counterpart Sean Richards carried the ball 10 times for 66 yards and another touchdown. Quarterback Mike Wegzyn completed 15 of 20 passes for 166 yards and three touchdowns.
Berlin head coach Kim Kuci is aware of his foe:
“The Universe has some of the best players in the league in many positions. In order to defeat this team, a perfect performance is required in all three areas of the game. Regardless of the outcome, this game will tell us where we stand this year, and whether the players and coaches are able to match it with this matchup.”
While Berlin is playing in its first international tournament, the Universe made their debut last year, winning the EFL title, beating Holland’s Amsterdam Crusaders in the final.