The Bologna Warriors (1-1) will play host to the defending champion Milano Seamen (1-1) as Italy’s Division 1 heads into its third round of play.
The Warriors are coming off a 42-27 win over the Lazio Ducks while Milano also won last week, downing the Firenze Guelfi 33-7.
The keys to the Milano victory were quarterback Luke Zahradka’s passing attack combined with a smothering defensive performance which put the game away by the fourth quarter. Defensive back Jarey Elder filled in at running back for injured William Petrone and the former all-conference return man at West Chester University (NCAA D2) displayed his skills breaking free often into the open field. The Seamen are expected to be bolstered this week by former NFL kicker Giorgio Taveccio. The 31-year-old Milan native joins the Seamen after an NFL career that spanned eight years, six teams, and 21 career field goals. The former two-time NFL Special Teams’ Player of the Week could come in handy for the Seamen as the season progresses.
Bologna Warriors @ Milano Seamen, April 24, 18:00 CET (6 pm, 12:00 pm ET)
Head coach Michael Wood on the upcoming matchup with a dangerous Bologna team:
“As for Bologna, I have known Coach Longi for a long time and I know that he will have his team ready on Saturday. They have an excellent quarterback in Rooney and Berezan is leading the league in rushing. So, it will be critical that we slow these two guys down, and our offense needs to execute the game plan.”
The Warriors enter the third week of the season with two very different offensive performances under their belt. Quarterback Nick Rooney and the powerful running of Andrea Berezan led the Warriors to put up 42 points in last week’s victory. The offensive showcase came off the heels of a measly 6-point performance in week one when Bologna were beaten 28-6 by the Milano Rhinos. The Warriors showed their true potential as a thunder and lightning offense filled with finesse touch passes mixed with a smash mouth running game. On defense, the Warriors will need to get a solid performance out of linebacker Tiberio Calbucci, the team’s leading tackler in 2019. Rooney and the Bologna offense will have to continue play well to keep up with a potent Milano offense.
Rooney on what last week’s big win meant to the Warriors:
“It’s a great sign to see a team bounce back from a tough first loss —- we made fewer ‘little mistakes’ and finished on offense. It was a big win for the program, lots of happy faces. The key is to carry the momentum into practice and keep getting better.”
The Warriors have shown they have the talent to hang with the big boys of Italian football. This weekend they’ll have a chance to prove that against the defending champions. The Milano Seamen will be aiming to continue improve after their season opening loss the Parma Panthers.
Watch the game live here. Bologna Warriors @ Milano Seamen, April 24, 18:00 CET (6 pm, 12:00 pm ET)
Milano Seamen roster (Click to enlarge)
Bologna Warriors roster (Click to enlarge)
