Recap and Highlights from games around Europe last weekend!
[su_dropcap]W[/su_dropcap]e are into week five of Roger’s Corner and with the European Championships kicking off on May 30 most countries will be taking a two week break resuming play in mid June. It has still been a busy week in Europe, with the German league beginning to pick up speed and the Spanish league playoffs underway.
Remember, if we are missing information you want to see, let us know. And all comments, good or bad, are welcome. Send an email to roger@eurosportsscouting.com.
Germany
Two games were played in the German northern division. The Dresden Monarchs outlasted Europe #4, the Berlin Adler 26-21 on a thundery, rain-drenched field in Dresden Saturday. This was Berlin’s first loss of the season and dropped from second to 4th while Dresden advanced past the Adler to occupy third. Kiel’s 41-6 drubbing of the Berlin Rebels moved them into first place after four games played (for them). Their 138 offensive points leads the north. In fact, five of the top seven teams in Europe come from the German north division.
The South saw a lively weekend as South division leading Stuttgart flexed their muscles downing Saarland 54-33 leaving them undefeated after five games. Marburg edged into second with a 27-24 victory over the Schwäbisch Hall Unicorns while the Rhein-Neckar Bandits beat Allgau 27-25.
Austria
There were no games in Austria as the national team prepared for the European championships. Europe’s number one team, the Swarco Raiders, lead the Austrian league followed by Vienna, the Prague Black Panthers and the Danube Dragons.
Switzerland
Two games were played in Switzerland. The Calanda Broncos overcame a serious effort from the fourth place Zurich Renegades winning 45-34. They are tied with Basel who totally embarrassed the Bern Grizzlies 48-10. Both teams sport a 5-1 record.
Italy
There was a full slate of games in Italy. League-leading Parma defeated Bergamo 34-6 bumping the Lions down to fifth spot. The Milano Seamen remained in second handing Torino a 46-19 defeat. Bolzano kept pace with the two top teams in Italy by defeating the Milano Rhinos 48-3. The Ancona Dolphins downed Bologna 28-20 to round out the top four.
France
In France the playoffs are set. On the weekend of June 21-22 the Thonon Black Panthers (#1) will play the Nice Dauphins who finished fourth. In the other semi-final the Flash (#2) face third place Molosses.
Poland
The Polish top three moved farther ahead of the rest of the pack. Gydnia who lead the league had no problem with the Sharks downing them 49-16. The Warsaw Eagles blanked Kozly 31-0 while Wroclaw rolled over the Steelers 54-7. The Seahawks have not lost a game and with a record of 6-0 occupy first with 12 points. Warsaw is 5-1 (10 points) and in second while the Wroclaw Panthers (4-2) have eight points good for third.
Sweden
The Swedish Super Series kicked off and defending champion, the Carlstad Crusaders (Europe #wasted no time in dispatching the Arlanda Jets, handing them an embarrassing 71-28 defeat. The Uppsala 86rs had no problems with former powerhouse the Stockholm Mean Machines beating them 42-20. The Royal Crowns found the Kristianstad Predators tough and only came away with a 16-16 tie. Finally, the STU Northside Bulls edged the Limhamn Griffins 31-27 in a well-fought battle.
Czech Republic
The Prague Black Panthers (Europe#8) have increased their lead in the Czech league but the Trnava Bulldogs did not make it easy. The Panthers finally beat them 17-14 remaining undefeated with a 5-0 record. The second place Pnbram Bobcats pounded fourth place Prague (Lions) 52-14. Finally the Brno Alligators had no problems defeating the Stallions 35-7.
Denmark
The Danish league continued play with the Triangle Razorbacks beating the Herlev Rebels 28-13 to remain undefeated and first in Group 2. The Copenhagen Towers returned to action in the Danish league giving the Aarhus tigers a 42-20 drubbing. The Towers had played two games in the Champions League. And the Amager Demons whalloped lowly Esbjerg 44-0. The Towers lead Group 1 at 3-0 followed by Aarhus and Amager.
Spain
Spain will crown a new champion in 2014 as defending champion the L’Hospitalet Pioners were defeated by the Badalona Dracs 38-20. It will be the first time in five years that the Pioners will not be defending their title. In the other semi-final the Valencia Firebats downed Osos Rivas from Madrid 22-12. Valencia and Badalona will face each other for the championship – The LNFA Bowl – on June 15.
Norway
Two games were played in Norway. The Lura Bulls dispatched the Gladiators in a tough game 16-8 while the Oslo Vikings downed the Nidaros Domers 42-28. With the win, the Bulls leapfrogged Eidsvoll and now lead the Norwegian league with four wins and no losses. The 1814s were idle and now sit in second spot with a 3-0 record. Oslo is 2-2 and in third while the Kristiansand Gladiators are fourth also at 2-2.
Ireland
In Ireland, two inter-divisional games in the IAFL were played. Trinity College Dublin (South) beat the Belfast Trojans (North) 18-0 while the UL Vikings (South) overwhelmed the Dublin Dragons 37-0 (North).
United Kingdom
Finally in the UK, the Tamworth Phoenix, first in the Premiership North, handed cellar-dwelling Doncaster a 72-0 beating. The undefeated Phoenix have a 4-0 record. In the Premiership South, the league-leading London Warriors (3-0) had no trouble with the East Kent Mavericks, beating them 60-0.
Please keep us informed of omissions, good stories and game photos and even video. Contact us at roger@eurosportsscouting.com.