The 4-0 Braunschweig New Yorker Lions, Europe #2, will face the 4-2 Berlin Rebels, Europe #16, at Eintracht Stadion in Braunschweig in German Football League North action June 17.
This is the first meeting between these two teams this year. The Lions won both games in 2017, 52-10 and 21-14. In fact, the last time the Rebels won a game in Braunschweig was in 2012, when Berlin won 34-24.
The Lions downed the Frankfurt Universe in a nail-biter, 20-19 a week ago to win Eurobowl XXXII. They have dominated in all four of their GFL games and lead the league in both offense and defense outscoring opponents 177-9. However, they have not played a +.500 team so far having beaten the winless Hamburg Huskies twice and the winless Hildesheim Invaders once. They also defeated the 3-5-1 Kiel Baltic Hurricanes. This will be their first real test in the German Football League regular season.
Berlin enters the game after dropping a disappointing 28-24 decision to Kiel two weeks ago. They have been averaging 24.3 points per game while giving up just under 15.
The Rebels are the top rushing team in Germany averaging 183.7 yards a game but the Lions are second with 168.2. The difference is in the passing game where Braunschweig is among the top five in the league averaging 262 yards a game while the Rebels are well down the list with 160.
Lions quarterback Jadrian Clark has thrown for 886 yards and 15 touchdowns in four games while his counterpart with Berlin, Terrell Robinson has thrown for 882 in six games. Rebels running back Sean Richard is the third leading rusher in Germany so far having rushed for 499 yards and seven touchdowns. Lennies McFerren of the Lions is right behind him in fourth though averaging 69.5 yards per game.
With a bevy of excellent linebackers including Roni Salonen and Anthony Darkangelo as well as defensive backs Tim Unger, Tissi Robinson and Darius Robinson and sack leader Jakob Schridde. the Lions defense is tough. Berlin will have to establish the run early but this is a difficult assignment against this front seven. Expect Robinson to mix up his play calling and use his legs as well.
Watch the game live here. Berlin Rebels @Braunschweig New Yorker Lions, June 17 1p (7a EST)
