The teams competing for the 2016 European Football League title, EFL Bowl III, have now been set. Returning to the tournament will be the defending champion Kiel Baltic Hurricanes along with their opponent in the championship final, the Allgäu Comets. The Hurricanes beat the Comets in 2015 49-28.
In addition, Spain’s Badalona Dracs, finalists in the Spanish championship game, are also returning along with the Dutch champions, the Amsterdam Crusaders. Joining these four will be the two-time French champions, the Thonon Black Panthers, as well as the Frankfurt Universe/Galaxy, who have been promoted up to Germany’s top division, the GFL for 2016. They will replace the Marburg Mercenaries from Germany and Holland’s Alphen Eagles.
Photo: Thonon Black Panthers
The Black Panthers played in the IFAF Europe Champions League in both 2014 and 2015 but due to scheduling difficulties have elected to compete in the EFL instead. With the Champions League finals being played in late July and the French season ending in late June, the team felt that the month-long wait in the middle of the French vacation season was not possible.
The EFL Bowl will be played on the weekend of June 11-12.