LIVESTREAM: Brazil Semifinals – Belo Horizonte Galo @Joao Pessoa Espectros, Sunday, Dec. 1, 3p, (1p ET, 7p CET)
The Joao Pessoa Espectros (7-1) will play host to the Belo Horizonte Galo (8-0) Sunday, December 1 in Brazil’s American football league, BFA (Brazil Futebol Americano), semifinal round.
The winner will face the Timbo Rex who defeated the Brasilia Tubaroes 31-6 in the other semifinal game.
This is a classic playoff matchup with the unbeaten Galo taking on the Espectros in a rematch of last year’s title game. The defending champion Galo marched through the regular and post season with only one close game, when they got by the Sao Paulo Portuguesa 22-19. The two teams have met in the last two championship finals with Belo Horizonte coming out on top both times, 17-13 in 2018 and 30-13 in 2017. The Espectros suffered only one loss during the regular season, dropping a 35-19 decision to the Recife Mariners. They avenged that loss in the playoffs beating the Mariners 26-12.
The Espectros have a familiar name at quarterback as veteran Alex Niznak (formerly of the Recife Mariners with stints in Sweden and Japan as well) is behind center. Meanwhile, the Galo will have Yaggo Brito at quarterback but Guilherme and Arthur may also get a chance, and American running backs Parris Lee and Michael James could also be used from the wildcat.
Joao Pessoa has been averaging 51 points a game but Belo Horizonte is on a roll and will have a 44 game winning streak on the line. Still, every game between these two powerhouses of American football in Brazil is a toss up.