LIVE STREAM: Stuttgart Scorpions v. Saarland Hurricanes (5p CEST, 11a EDT)

| American Football | 04/29/2017

Today two of Germany mid-table teams battle for entry into the top ranks of the GFL South.

Stuttgart Scorpions want to go back to the GFL finals. Since their ascent to Germany’s top league in 1995 the Scorpions have only missed the playoffs in 2013 and 2016. Although there have been a lot of departures among the players including starting quarterback Shane Carden, a lot of new talented athletes were signed to fill the void. Among them is quarterback Connor Sullivan from the University of South California. Defensively, the Scorpions signed two Americans in defensive back Ronnie Hicks from the Grenoble Centaures and linebacker Christian Holmes from the Tamworth Phoenix. Besides those imports, a plethora of new German players from around the country have strengthened the Scorpions’ roster.

Stuttgart fell in their 2017 season opener 14-13 to the powerful Samsung Frankfurt Universe.

The Saarlanders have been part of the established ‘middle of the table’ team for several years now. In 2015 and 2016 it was enough to reach the GFL playoffs. The Hurricanes finished the 2016 season with a 8-6 record and advanced to the German quarterfinals where they were eliminated by the Dresden Monarchs. Head coach Tom Smythe is benefiting the addition of eight former players of the newly demoted Rhine-Neckar Bandits. This season may be the best chance yet for the Hurricanes to make the leap into the top of the table. The biggest addition for the Hurricanes is former Green Bay Packers free safety Charles Clay.

Saarland opened their season with a 29-14 win over the Munich Cowboys.

LIVE STREAM: Stuttgart Scorpions v. Saarland Hurricanes (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.