LIVESTREAM Egyptian Bowl VII – Cairo Bears v. Cairo Hell Hounds, July, 2, 19:30 CET (7:30 pm, 1:30 pm ET)
The Cairo Hell Hounds and Cairo Bears will square off in the biggest football game of the year in Egypt as Egyptian Bowl VII takes place this Friday, July 2 in Cairo.
These two teams reached the final in different ways. After dropping their opening game of the season to the MSA Tigers, 20-18, the Hell Hounds won three straight to finish first in the standings, including a 14-13 defeat of the Bears on June 11. The Bears won both their opening games in convincing fashion before losing their last two, both by the same score 14-13, to the Hell Hounds and Tigers. The Bears finished 2-2, tied with the MSA Tigers and Cairo Wolves but earned a berth in the final by virtue of a better points differential.
The Hell Hounds are making their fourth appearance in the title game which they have won once, three years ago, ENFLIV while the Bears will be playing in the Egyptian final for the first time.
The Cairo Hellhounds feature the top scoring offense in the ENFL led by quarterback Yassin Sherif who had an excellent year and led the league in passing yardage with 608 while throwing six touchdown passes and 24 first down passes. He was nominated for both Offensive Player of the Year and ENFLVII Most Valuable Player. He relies on wide receiver Haitham Abdelwarith who completed his third consecutive season without a single drop. Another memorable talent to keep an eye out for in the Hounds is kicker Robert Raafat, who kicked four field goals, one of which was for 48 yards.
On defense, the Hounds are led by linebacker Hassan El-Ganayney who was fourth in tackles with 15 to go along with three tackles for loss.
The Bears offense, which was second behind the Hell Hounds in scoring, is led by Bears quarterback Torrance Brown, who is also in the running for the league MVP and Offensive Player of the Years awards. His favorite target is wide receiver Youssef Shawky who had 12 catches for 171 yards, while running back Islam Mohammed was the third leading rusher in the league and led the country in scoring.
Defensively, linebackers Mohamed Amin (nominated for Rookie of the Year) and Seif El-Khouly (nominated for Defensive Player of the Year) spearhead a defense that allowed the fewest points in the league. El-Khouly was the third leading tackler in the ENFL while Amin recorded the second most tackles for loss.
A title game pitting the Hell Hounds offense which topped the ENFL, against the leading defense of the Bears, promises fireworks.
