LIVESTREAM: France – Semifinals – Marseille Blue Stars @La Courneuve Flash, June 16, 7p (1p EST)

| American Football | 06/16/2018

In their first season in France’s top league, the 7-3 Marseille Blue Stars will play in the semifinals facing the winningest team in French American football history, the 8-2 la Courneuve Flash at  Geo André stadium in Paris, France.

The Flash, who finished second during the regular season, have won the French title 10 times in the last 20 years, most recently in 2017 when they overcame a 20 point deficit in the championship game to defeat the Thonon Black Panthers.

In the only meeting between the two teams in 2018, the Flash barely edged Marseille, beating them 7-6 in Marseille.

The Flash enter the game with the second best offense in the league having scored 307 points in 10 games. Defensively, they also have the second best record giving up an average of 11.7 yards a game.

The Blue Stars offense, while not quite as prolific, has averaged 23.6 points a game while the defense has allowed 12.4.

Flash quarterback Paul Durand leads an efficient offense and threw for 1,147 yards and 19 TDs while his counterpart with Marseille, Travis Adamson was the third leading passer in the country throwing for 1,770 yards and 20 TDs. His favorite targets have been French international Hadrien Lynda (43 rec, 728 yards, 8 TDs) and Robert Fargeon (27 rec, 396 yards, 4 TDs). Running back Pereese Joas finished the year second in rushing in France with 588 yards and 7 TDs and has returned from injury.

La Courneuve running back  Nicolas Khandar finished 3rd in the county with 503 yards and 4 TDs

The Blue Stars defense, led by the #1 tackler in the league Eddy Abdullah (75.5 tackles, 2.5 sacks) and an impressive defensive line (47 sacks in 10 games), will put pressure on the Flash.

Added motivation for the Blue Stars is the fact that the French championship final will be held in  Fos-sur-Mer , next to Marseille in southern France.

Marseille head coach Bavuong Souphanthavong:

“We are not the favorites against the Flash. To be able to win against them it will be necessary to play a great game! However, I trust my players to go to La Courneuve with determination. When we are in the final four, we must have the conviction that we can win. We cannot wait for Saturday to play.”

Watch the game live here. Marseille Blue Stars @La Courneuve Flash, June 16, 7p (1p EST)

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