LIVE STREAM: EFL – Thonon-les-bains Black Panthers v. Berlin Adler (4p CEST, 10 EDT)

AFI | American Football | 05/06/2017

The Berlin Adler will play host to France’s number one team the Thonon Black Panthers in the second game of EFL Group B action Saturday May 6.

The Black Panthers downed the Prague Black Panthers from the Czech Republic 41-33 two weeks ago in the opening game.

Italy’s Milano Rhinos and the Nice Dauphins play in Group A. Milano won the first game 28-21 at home in Milano and will play Nice in France today as well.

The Adler are facing a steep uphill climb. The Panthers (French champions 2013, 2014) under new head coach Fabien Ducousso, lead the French league with a 7-1 record with the top offense averaging 42 points per game with a powerful rushing attack. Running back Andreas Betza leads the country with 1,101 yards and 18 touchdowns with teammate Vincent Begou in third and national team running back Stephen Yepmo not far behind.

On defense, Thonon boasts defensive end Mamadou Sy, who is no stranger to the Adler. Sy played for the Adler when they won Eurobowl in 2014 and for the past two seasons has helped the New Yorker Lions win German and Eurobowl titles.

The Black Panthers offensive line is anchored by Mamoudou Doumbouya, a French national team player. He played for the Frankfurt Universe helping them advance to the German Football League in 2015 and also last year in their playoff run.

Berlin meanwhile is coming off a tough 47-13 loss to crosstown rivals the Berlin Rebels last week and needs to regroup to have any chance in this game. The good news is that the Adler held the powerful running game of the Rebels to 135 yards and two touchdowns last week. In fact, the Adler held a 13-6 halftime lead but a costly fumble led to a touchdown as did an interception in the second half.

Quarterback Paul Zimmerman threw for 157 yards and a touchdown but must be ready to produce big plays against a team which will hold on to the ball. Running back Devon Francois needs to be able to find space to get to the second level.

And of course the defense, anchored by linebacker Burton De Koning, needs to keep the Panthers running game in check.