The Calanda Broncos rolled to a 42-6 victory over the Basel Gladiators in Swiss Bowl XXXII Saturday in Chur, Switzerland for their eighth Swiss title and seventh since 2009.
This was the sixth time in seven games Calanda has beaten the Gladiators in the Swiss final but the most recent was 2013. Basel had won the most recent title game between the two in 2014.
This was billed as a David and Goliath meeting but this time Goliath in the form of the Broncos showed no weaknesses. In a game interrupted once by thunder and lightning, Calanda simply dominated the Gladiators.
The Broncos racked up 453 yards in total offense while Basel could only must 131.
Quarterback Clark Evans was masterful throwing for 152 yards and two touchdowns, but rushing for 161 and another score. He accounted for 313 yards in total offense. Running back Adrian Suenderhauf scored three touchdowns as he rushed for 107 yards and two touchdowns including a 51 yard touchdown scamper and caught a five yard touchdown pass . Wide receiver Lukas Lütscher caught 10 passes for 90 yards and a touchdown. Running back Severin Murk added another touchdown and kicked six extra points.
Calanda RB Adrian Suenderhauf en route to scoring one of his 3 TDs. Photo: Sergio Brunetti
Dimitri Gfeller scored the lone touchdown late in the game on a one yard plunge.
The Broncos defense did the rest. Basel running back Terell Smith was held to 49 yards rushing and Nate Rhoades could only gain 18 while as a team the Gladiators only recorded eight first downs. Calanda safety Marco Mahrer had a game high nine tackles while Nico Ritter had six, Will Hobbs five and Kareem Radix and Jeff Worthy had four each. On the Gladiators seven possessions, they were forced to punt four times, and had three turnovers, on an interception, a fumble and a turnover on downs.
Calanda’s offense took a couple of starts before it kicked into gear as Evans threw an interception on the first drive and then Basel got a stop and took the ball over on downs. But late in the first quarter Suenderhauf finally got untracked scoring the game’s first touchdown. The rout was one after that as the Broncos scored on their next five possessions building up a 42-0 lead before the Gladiators could score late in the game.