The Swarco Raiders (2-0) will play host to the Projekt Spielberg Graz Giants (0-1) Saturday at Tivoli Stadium in Innsbruck Austria Saturday April 7 in the third week of play in the Austrian Football League.
The Raiders have opened the 2018 AFL season with a pair of lopsided wins, beating the Bratislava Monarchs 65-6 and the Mödling Rangers 49-14. Graz opened their season last week with a 45-32 loss to the Vienna Vikings.
These two teams met twice in 2017 with Swarco coming away with victories both times, 31-14 in mid May and then 56-49 in a shootout three weeks later.
The Raiders offense looks just as impressive as ever with quarterback Sean Shelton leading the league with 719 yards in passing in two games and nine touchdowns. Adrian Platzgummer has 161 yards in receptions and two touchdowns followed by Fabian Abfalter (135, 2 TDs) and Daniel Saurer (126, 3 TDs). Sandro Platzgummer leads the Raiders running backs with 222 yards rushing in two games while Filip Vlajic has rushed for 142 yards.
Giants quarterback Brandon Gorsuch threw four touchdown passes on 21 of 48 passing for 250 yards in the loss to Vienna. Florian Bierbaumer caught 10 passes for 117 yards and three touchdowns while Alexander Sanz caught the fourth scoring pass.
The Giants have shored up their defense with a pair of defensive backs. Breeon Moreno from Western Oregon and Tony Godbolt from North Greenville University will make it difficult to throw against a Giants team that was solid against the run last season.
Giants head coach Martin Kocian:
“Sometimes the schedule is hard, and because of the called off games, we want to face the two best teams of Austria right at the start of the season. But we have one advantage over the Vikings. We have one game under our belt now and know what to do. Nevertheless, this game will show us, where we are standing. The Tivoli is always a hard place to go. There is a great team waiting, noisy fans and we have to make a few hours to get there.”
Raiders head coach Shuan Fatah:
“Saturday’s game is a true gauge for us. After the meeting with the Giants, we know where we stand this year and whether we have evolved. You are a very dangerous and agile opponent for us. We will give everything that demand Grazer and offer our fans an exciting game.”
