The British American Football Association has announced the 75 man roster that will face Russia in September.
This will be the Lions first fixture, hopefully along their road to competing in the IFAF European Championships in Germany in 2018.
Great Britain enter as the second-ranked amongst eight teams, four of whom will travel to Britain for a tournament running 16-18 September in the – Sixways Stadium, Worcester – home of this year’s Britbowl.
On Friday September 16, the Lions, as host nation, will take on Russia while the Czech Republic will face the Netherlands. The first and third place games are then set for Sunday, September 18.
The winners of this tournament, along with the qualifier of the twin tournament held 2-4 September in Italy involving Italy, Israel, Serbia and Switzerland, will each advance to play either Sweden or Denmark in 2017.
The 75 man roster has been shared via the BAFA website, though we have assisted them with a few corrections as to player’s current programmes:
The squad is as follows (alphabetically by position):
Offense
QB
Josh Adamson (London Blitz)
Jerome Allen (London Warriors)
Patrick Daley (Tamworth Phoenix)
Nick Jacquet (London Warriors)
RB
Omodeji Alli (London Blitz)
Adam Hope (Tamworth Phoenix)
Temi Oduyemi (London Blitz)
Ryan Reid (Staffordshire Surge)
Laurent Tshimanga (Merseyside Nighthawks)
James Walter (Oxford Saints)
Durwane Watson (London Warriors)
OL
Ben Ashby (Bristol Aztecs)
Victor Bama (London Warriors)
James Connoley (London Blitz)
Richard Gadzepko (London Warriors)
Kevin Keohane (London Warriors)
Toby Lettman (Farnham Knights)
Thomas Levick (Tamworth Phoenix)
Carl Lewis (Sandwell Steelers)
Matt Meyer (London Blitz)
Ayodeji Ogunkolati (London Blitz)
Bam Olaseni (London Blitz)
Azmi Sbati (London Blitz)
Benjamin Watkins (Helsinki Roosters)
WR
Ben Burslem (Tamworth Phoenix)
Kieran Spencer Cutlan (Seinajoki Crocodiles)
Jack Daley (London Blitz)
Alex Eager (Merseyside Nighthawks)
Charlie Joseph (London Blitz)
Alex Laird (London Blitz)
Sam Rogers (London Blitz)
Harry Routledge (Merseyside Nighthawks)
David Saul (Potsdam Royals)
Ronel Thomas (London Blitz)
Tim Thomas (Seinajoki Crocodiles)
Jack Verling (Solent Thrashers)
Defence:
DE
Jay Aimakhu (London Warriors)
Nial Scott (London Warriors)
Lloyd Scott (Solent Thrashers)
Will Stone (University of Birmingham Lions)
Rodon Zeqiri (London Blitz)
DT
Jamie Charles (London Blitz)
Ade Kamson (London Warriors)
Ti Ojuyah (London Blitz)
Ovie Omueda (Sandwell Steelers)
Josh Vines (London Blitz)
Steve Wilson (East Kilbride Pirates)
ILB
Eddie Cheadle (London Blitz)
Alex Haldane (London Warriors)
Alasdir Jarvis (Tamworth Phoenix)
Sky Modebe (London Blitz)
LB
Matt Eva (London Blitz)
David Izinyon (London Warriors)
Jonell Pelle (London Blitz)
Samuel Udoh (London Warriors)
OLB
James Armah (Bristol Aztecs)
Fab Gargiulo (London Blitz)
Jake Harbon (Tamworth Phoenix)
Sam Marshall (London Blitz)
Ariel Mofondo (London Warriors)
CB
William ‘Kodjo’ Davis (London Blitz)
Jeff Davis (London Blitz)
Enoch Hankombo (London Blitz)
Sam Joseph (London Blitz)
John Kenyon (Tamworth Phoenix)
Sam Obi (London Warriors)
Leslie Oluwole-Wilson (London Warriors)
S
Josh Amis (London Warriors)
Emir Battaloglu (Tamworth Phoenix)
Ashley Hopkinson (Stirling Clansmen)
Samuel Jeater (University of Birmingham Lions)
David Jennison (London Blitz)
David McInally (East Kilbride Pirates)
Daniel McKenzie (London Warriors)
Speaking to BritishAmericanFootball.org, Great Britain Lions Men’s Head Coach Mike Callen said:
“While I was impressed by the quality of all players who attended trials for the squad, these are the 75 players who I believe give us the best chance of beating Russia, and hopefully either the Netherlands or Czech Republic beyond that.”