LIVESTREAM Germany: Marburg Mercenaries @ Saarland Hurricanes, August 1, 17:00 CET (5 pm, 9 am ET)
The Saarland Hurricanes (4-1) play host the Marburg Mercenaries (1-3) in this GFL South matchup.
The Mercenaries enter the second half of the season motivated to make a playoff push. Meanwhile, Saarland looks to continue their success so far this season as they currently sit at second place in the GFL South.
The Hurricanes were the surprise of the first half of the season in the GFL’s southern conference. After a 9-3 season in the GFL2 in 2019, Saarland jumped at the chance to join Germany’s top league and have run with it. Australian head coach Christos Lambropoulos has designed an exciting offense to watch, as quarterback Josh Goldin has excelled throwing for 288 yards a game. Former All-American receiver Victor Wharton III and domestic talent Marvin Fuchs are two skilled receivers looking to get into the endzone today. Out of the backfield, Marburg will have to key in on running back Kai Hunter. Hunter’s versatility has been a strength for Saarland as he’s just as good a receiver as a ball carrier putting up 504 all-purpose yards and five touchdowns this season. Today, Hunter will have to elude one of Germany’s top tacklers in Marburg’s Robert Heyward.
Marburg Mercenaries @ Saarland Hurricanes, August 1, 17:00 CET (5 pm, 9 am ET)
Saarland’s defense is headlined by former South Carolina Gamecock (NCAA D1 SEC) Chaz Elder. Elder has three interceptions and a kick return touchdown this season. If he can pick off a Marburg pass today it could be the difference. Sesan Jelvani and Justin Jordan bring physicality to the Saarland defense having racked up 28 and 25 tackles each. In this matchup, the Hurricanes will have to tackle well, facing off against one of Germany’s top running backs Marcus Cox.
Cox has transitioned well to the German Football League after a record-breaking career at Appalachian State (NCAA D1 FBS). Through the season’s halfway point, Cox has been the engine of this Mercenaries offense rushing for 507 yards and seven touchdowns. The signal-caller for Marburg is German veteran Sonny Weishaupt. Weishaupt will look to capitalize off of play-action and continue his play well. Speedy Aaron Seward and possession tight end Phillip Eichhorn give Weishaupt two different styles of receivers to lean on.
Linebacker Robert Heyward is the Mercenaries’ leading tackler as his 45 stops put him third in the league. Belgian defensive back Ruben De Ruytler follows closely with 42 tackles. Head coach Joe Tricario feels good about his secondary with De Ruyter’s solid tackling meshes well with speedy Marvin Hart’s lockdown coverage.
Saarland enters the second half of the season looking like one of the better teams in the country. On the other sideline, Marburg seems poised to make a playoff push as only five games remain in the crowded GFL South. Viewers can expect to see Saarland play well at home as they are hungry to keep climbing in the standings looking to prove themselves in Germany’s top league.
Click images to enlarge
Saarland Hurricanes roster
Marburg Mercenaries roster
