The 8-2 Parma Panthers will play host to the 9-2 Bolzano Giants Sunday, June 24 at Parma’s Ennio Tardini Stadio in the second semifinal in Italy’s Division I.
These two teams faced each other twice during the regular season, splitting the series. Parma took the first game 36-0 while the Giants won the second encounter 20-10 late in the season.
Parma finished second in the regular season standings earning them a bye and an automatic berth in the semifinals. Bolzano defeated the Firenze Guelfi in a wild card playoff game last week and beat them soundly 50-0.
The Panthers boast the third best passing offense in Italy and they will be facing the top team against the pass. Conversely, Bolzano is fourth in Italy in team rushing averaging 101 yards a game while Parma has the stiffest defense against the run giving up just 49 yards a game.
Parma had the league’s second best offense averaging 35.1 points a game with quarterback Tommasso Monardi throwing for 2,073 yards and 24 TDs. His favorite receiver, former NFL WR Kris Durham, was second in the league in receiving yardage with 816 yards and 11 touchdowns. Panthers RB Alessandro Malpeli Avali was 2nd in rushing yardage with 792 yards and 10 TDs.
For the Giants, new quarterback Rodney Brown threw for 220 yards and two touchdowns and added another one himself in Bolzano’s win over Parma. In seven games, Brown threw for 1,008 yards and 17 touchdowns but rushed for 401 as well. In last week’s playoff win, he threw for 195 yards and three touchdowns.
Watch the game live here. Italian Semifinal – Bolzano Giants @Parma Panthers, June 24, 4p (10a EST)
