LIVE STREAM: GFL – New Yorker Lions v. Hamburg Huskies (5p CEST, 11a EDT)

| American Football | 05/06/2017

The New Yorker Lions travel to the Hamburg Huskies as they open their GFL schedule after two Big6 victories

For Hamburg, 2017 could again be a difficult season. After missing the play-offs last year, the Huskies had to report more negative than positive news in the offseason. For example, Patrick Esume explained that he would no longer be available to serve as Hamburg’s sports director. Add this to the fact that the club lost 15 players to GFL North club rivals Kiel and Hildesheim and, in the short term, the already at to replace their American quarterback just before the start of the season.

Therefore, the Huskies do not seeem to be in a good position to be able to resist an opponent like the 4-time defending champions Lions.

However, you should not see the future quite so black, because there are positive things to report. For example the return of the Huskies primary rock on defense in person in American import Kendral Ellison. Furthermore, running back returns in the offensive backfield. Also key to mention is the late commitment of new quarterback John Uribe, who has already gained experience on the European continent under the new Huskies head coach Sean Embree at  Serbia’s Vukovi Belgrade last season. Whether this is sufficient, however, to gain ground against the Lions, remains questionable. The Huskies did not look impressive in their GFL opening loss against against the Berlin Adler 30-8.

The New Yorker Lions don’t enter this GFL opener without any worries. In their Big6 match against the Badalona Dracs four important players fell to injury. These included new comers running back Stacey Bryant, wide receiver/defensive back Nathaniel Morris, defensive back Benjamin Krahl, and offensive lineman Nikita Schönborn.

However, it can be assumed, that the New York Lions, as it was last year, will still be able to achieve victory.

LIVE STREAM: Braunschweig New Yorker Lions v. Hamburg Huskies (5p CEST, 11a EDT)

John McKeon is a former professional and collegiate American Football player and coach now living and working in New York. His goal is to spread news, information, and opinion on the global growth of the sport he loves.