The Milano Seamen, Europe #9, will play host to the Thonon Black Panthers Saturday, May 12 in the deciding game of the European Football League Group B at Stadio Breda Sesto San Giovanni, in Milano, Italy .
The Seamen, unbeaten in Italy (7-0), defeated Spain’s Badalona Dracs six weeks ago in Barcelona, Spain 23-10. The game was tied 3-3 at halftime in the pouring rain but Milano exploded for three touchdowns in the second half to win going away.
Meanwhile, Thonon, who lead the league in France with a 7-1 record, lost to the same Dracs team 37-10 in mid April.
The Milano Seamen competed in the Big6 in 2017 defeating the Berlin Rebels before losing to the Frankfurt Universe. In 2016, the Seamen reached the final of the Champions League where they lost to the Wroclaw Panthers from Poland. Spain’s Badalona Dracs also played in the Big6 in 2017 losing to both the Amsterdam Crusaders and Braunschweig New Yorker Lions.
The Black Panthers are the defending EFL champions after beating Italy’s Milano Rhinos in the 2017 final 29-20.
Seamen quarterback Luke Zahradka leads the league in Italy in passing with 1,659 yards and a whopping 26 TDs in 7 games. Thonon’s Kyle Boehm is averaging 187 yards passing per game in France and has thrown nine touchdown passes.
If Milano wins this game, they will advance to the EFL final against either the Potsdam Royals from Germany or Switzerland’s Calanda Broncos. Should Thonon win, then the points differential between the three teams in the group will decide. The Black Panthers would have to win by 18 points or more to advance to the final. If they win but by less, the Badalona Dracs move on.
Watch the game live here. Thonon Black Panthers (France) @#9 Milano Seamen (Italy), May 12, 8p (2p EST)
