The Central European Football League (CEFL) Championship Western Conference opens for business this Saturday April 22 at 7p CEST when Wrocław Panthers and Swarco Raiders cross paths in the Olympiastadion in Breslau, Poland.
Both teams are the reigning champions of their countries and have also been impressive in their national leagues so far, with equal 3-0 scores each. The pair is new to CEFL but they have a great deal of experience in international competitions.
The Swarco Raiders from Innsbruck, Austria have decided to participate in the the CEFL. Next Saturday will be the first day of the group stage in the western half in the tournemnet. The Raiders opponent is last year’s IFAF European Champions League winners and reigning Polish champions, the Wrocław Panthers.
The Wrocław Panthers are undefeated thusfar in the 2017 PLFA Topliga. The Panthers are a young team, founded in 2013 by former players of the Wrocław Giants and Wrocław Devils. The Panthers have progressed at an impressively steep rate in their short history. Their proudest achievement is certainly the trophy of last season’s IFAF Europe Champions League in their cases where they beat the Milano Seamen (Italy) 40-37 in the final. They were the best team of its Final Four tournament last season, also played by Koc Rams (Turkey) who now take part in CEFL Eastern Conference. Panthers offense will be lead by quarterback Timothy Morovick, and running back Rickey Stevens, while defensive back Deante Battle shores up their defensive unit.
Their opponents, the Swarco Raiders, are a team that always shoots for the highest goals. Respected by all European teams, they are the probably the best team on the continent in the last decade with three Eurobowl titles under their belt in that period. They have appeared in the Eurobowl final five times during that time and are the current vice-champions of that competition, falling to the New Yorker Lions (Germany) last season in Eurobowl XXX. Under center for the Raiders will be quarterback Sean Shelton, who will target wide receiver Kyle Callahan, while their defense is led by lineman Jermaine Guynn and defensive back Enrico Martini.
This is the first ever meeting between the two teams. The young Panthers are enjoying the home-field advantage, but the powerhouse Raiders are among Europe’s American football giants. This will surely be an exciting exchange.
Game will be broadcast on Sportklub TV for the fans in the region under its coverage, and on Youtube as seen below.
This one will be a treat not to be missed by football connoisseurs.
Players to watch:
#7 Sandro Platzgummer (Swarco Raiders, RB): Sandro scored seven touchdowns in the current (Austrian Football League) AFL season and is a challenge for every opponent with his speed and agility.
#5 Adrian Platzgummer (Swarco Raiders, WR): Adrian has three touchdowns for the Raiders, and has a strong hand. Like his brother Sandro, Adrian regularly finds his way to the end zone.
#7 Timothy Morovick (Wrocław Panthers, QB): Morovick is in his first season in Poland. He comes from Ottawa University, Kansas (NAIA), and has played a season in Germany before moving to Poland in 2017. He is flexible, can throw well, but also run himself if necessary and fits according to coach Nick Johansen perfectly in the offense of the Wrocław Panthers.
# 28 Rickey Stevens (Wrocław Panthers, RB): Stevens is in his second season in Poland. He is an important support in the strong running of the Poles.
LIVE STREAM: CEFL – Swarco Raiders v. Wroclaw Panthers (7p CEST, 1p EDT)
Else where in the CEFL action, in the CEFL Cup Western group, Zagreb Patriots start their season by hosting Kranj Alp Devils. The Slovenians already have one win versus Sarajevo Spartans and the Patriots are the champions of last year’s Central Conference. Croatian team has imported two linemen, an offensive one, Larry Nitka and defensive, Billy Sparks, who will be helped by a number of internationals.
Also in CEFL Cup, in Eastern group, Belgrade Blue Dragons welcome Sirmium Legionaries. The Blue Dragons are beginning their CEFL Cup journey and the Legionaries have lost to Novi Sad Gat Dukes earlier in the season. Belgraders have a perfect 2-0 score in the national league thus far and the Legionaries are half and half with 1-1 in the same competition.