German Bowl XXXIX – Braunschweig New Yorker Lions v. Schwäbisch Hall Unicorns Sat. Oct. 7 6p CEST (12 noon EDT; Livestream only available in Germany or on Eurosport)

The undefeated Braunschweig New Yorker Lions will face the unbeaten Schwäbisch Hall Unicorns in German Bowl XXXIX Saturday, October 7 at Berlin’s Friedrich-Ludwig-Jahn-Sportpark.

This is the fourth year in a row that these two teams face each other to decide the top football team in Germany which definitely makes this a rivalry for the ages. Although the Lions have won the previous three, Schwäbisch Hall is entering this game with a score to settle. In fact, the Unicorns have never beaten Braunschweig in post season play, a streak stretching back to the quarterfinals in 2002. The Lions also defeated Schwäbisch Hall in the semifinals in 2005.

However, not only is it the continuation of a long-standing rivalry, but tor the first time since 1987, it is a championship final between two undefeated teams. In 1987, the Berlin Adler defeated the Badener Greifs to win the title.

While New Yorker Lions head coach Troy Tomlin and his defensive coordinator Dave Likins have fashioned a more than impressive record of success since taking over the team in 2012, the Unicorns Jordan Neumann only took over the job of head coach this season with the departure of Siegfried Gehrke who had guided the team for 25 years. However, as a long-time assistant to Gehrke, Neuman is very familiar with the team and the rivalry.

The New Yorker Lions had the top offense in Germany in 2017 averaging 42.4 points and 420.7 yards per game. Schwäbisch Hall was 4th in points scored with 39.1 on average and 3rd in yardage gained with 405.2 yards a game. The Lions also boasted the stingiest defense allowing only 9.9 points a game. Schwäbisch Hall was third overall surrendering 17.8.

This will be a clash for the ages. The Unicorns have lost just one game in two years. To the Lions in the 2016 German Bowl.