This is the game of the week in the CEFL as the unbeaten and defending champion Swarco Raiders from Austria travel south the Milan, Italy, to face the powerful Milano Seamen in Central European Football League action.
The Swarco Raiders spoiled the debut of the Thonon Black Panthers in the Central European Football League tournament dominating them 41-7. In that game, the Raiders exploded for four second quarter touchdowns and then cruised to the win. Quarterback Sean Shelton threw five touchdown passes, three to Patrick Donahue while Mario Schneider and Fabian Abfalter caught one each. Running back Tobias Bonatti scored the lone rushing touchdown for the Raiders. Another key factor for the Raiders is running back Sandro Platzgummer who can explode from anywhere on the field.
Back-to-back Italian champions (2017, 2018) the Milano Seamen enter the CEFL tournament for the first time. The Seamen were impressive in 2018, going undefeated to win the Italian championship and reaching the final of the EFL championship, losing a heart breaker to Germany’s Potsdam Royals.
So far in the Italian league, the Seamen have built a record of 6-1 behind an explosive offense. QB Luke Zahradka leads the country in passing having thrown for 1,635 yards and a league-best 25 TDs. His favorite targets have been Stefano Di Tunisi (543 yds) and Xavier Mitchell (480 yds), who are 3rd and 4th in the league in receiving yards.
The Raiders have won back-to-back CEFL titles while this is the first time Milano has entered the tournament.
This is the must-watch matchup of the tournament this week.
Watch the game live here. Swarco Raiders @Milano Seamen, Sat. May 11, 6p CEDT (12p EDT)
