LIVESTREAM: Germany – Potsdam Royals #11 @Hamburg Huskies, June 16 4p (10a EST)

AFI | American Football | 06/16/2018

Graphic: Igor Lazarevic

The 2-3 Potsdam Royals, Europe #11 and newly crowned winners of the European Football League title, head into the Hamburg’s Hammer Park Stadion June 16 to face the 0-7 Hamburg Huskies.

Potsdam, improved their AFI Top 20 ranking to #11 following a thrilling last second 43-42 win over Italy’s Milano Seamen last weekend .

In fact, the Royals are on a three game winning streak stretching back to May 19 when they upset the Berlin Rebels 31-20 in the GFL. Potsdam added another nail-biting EFL victory with a 33-31 win over Switzerland’s Calanda Broncos. In other words, the Royals have been finding ways to win football games in the last month.

The Huskies, despite their record, have improved their offensive output in the last two games. In the first five games of the year, Hamburg managed to score a total of 20 points while in the last two they have averaged 20 a game.

Potsdam has the fourth leading offense in the GFL so far this season averaging 37.2 points a game much of that due to a potent passing attack with Austin Gahafer at quarterback. Gahafer is the number three quarterback in Germany having thrown for 1,338 and 18TDs. His favorite target is Danish receiver Frederik Myrup Nielsen who has caught 30 passes for 553 yards and seven touchdowns making him third best in the country. Max Zimmerman is equally dangerous and combined with running back Tyvis Smith, the second leading rusher in the GFL with 430 yards, the Royals have a ground and air attack which will cause Hamburg’s defense problems.

The Hamburg defense is anchored by linebacker Michael Taylor, who is the second leading tackler in Germany so far this season. Taylor, who led all tacklers in 2017 while with the Marburg Mercenaries, will need some help in this game though. The Huskies have been allowing a league-worst 177 yards rushing per game. While they have defended the pass far better, if Hamburg does not keep Tyvis Smith contained, Gahafer won’t need to throw many passes.

Two things are in Hamburg’s favor. This is a home game and they are desperate. The Huskies finished off the 2017 season with four straight wins giving them hope going into the 2018 campaign. They desperately need to regain some semblance of respectability and this game would be the key to that.