LIVE STREAM: France – Thonon Black Panthers @ Bron-Villeurbanne Falcons Sat. Feb. 24, 7p CEST (1p EST)

AFI | American Football | 02/24/2018

Graphic: Igor Lazarevic

France’s Thonon Black Panthers (1-0) visit the 0-1 Bron-Villeurbanne Falcons in the only game in the French American football league this weekend.

The Panthers are coming off an impressive 23-20 win over the defending champion La Courneuve Flash in the opening game of the season. The win avenged the Panthers devastating loss in the 2017 final to the Flash.

Bron-Villeurbanne dropped a 53-21 decision to the Saint-Ouen Cougars in their first game.

Thonon head coach Fabien Ducoussohas has made some changes for 2018. He has brought in a new quarterback as Kyle Boehm from the California Golden Bears will replace Sam Poulos.

With the departure of running back Anrea Betza to Germany’s Frankfurt Universe, the Black Panthers will possibly see a return of the passing game. The signing of Team France wide receiver Benjamin Plu (McGill University) is one indication. Thonon has also bolstered the offensive line signing Karl Mbaka (Team France OL) who played for the Falcons last year, and Basil Weber from Switzerland.

Defensive coordinator Maxime Dupuis has returned. He has sign versatile Alpha Jalloh (Liberty University) who played for Swedish champions the Carlstad Crusaders in 2017.

The Falcons have beefed up their offense with the signing of Sweden’s leading rusher, 23-year-old Kasper Wedberg. The Swedish international was voted best running back of his country during the 2017 season where he played for the Örebro Black Knights .

The offensive line will be reinforced by the arrival of Flavien Lerivray from the of Thonon les Bains Black Panthers . The team’s offense also welcomes a new quarterback. Arthur Penet, also 21 years old, signs to the Falcons coming from the Angels of Mont de Marsan.

The defensive squad records two newcomers. Timon Debiez returns to France after a stint in Finland where he played for the Helsinki Roosters. At 23, the defensive back has been crowned champion of Finland with his club. The defense also records the arrival of a linebacker in the person of Axel Kowalczyk (23 years) from the Tigers of Nancy.