LIVESTREAM: Italy – Bolzano Giants @Milano Seamen, Saturday, March 17 7p (1p EST)
The defending champion Milano Seamen finally open their 2018 season in Italy’s Div. I Saturday, March 17 when they play host to the Bolzano Giants (2-0) at the Centro Sportivo “Gianni Brera” stadium in Milano.
The two teams played each other once in 2017 with the Seamen coming out on top 37-14. The Giants finished the season with a 7-3 record but were eliminated in the Italian semifinals by the Milano Rhinos. The Seamen won the Italian title by beating the Rhinos after knocking out the Parma Panthers in the semifinals.
Milano Seamen quarterback Luke Zahradka
The defending Italian champion Seamen under new head coach Michael Wood have not made many changes in a powerful roster. With quarterback Luke Zahradka back along with ferocious safety Paul Morant, the Seamen have added Xavier Mitchell at WR. Mitchell was the leading receiver/returner for the Kiel Baltic Hurricanes in 2017 and led the German Football League with 96 receptions for 1,377 yards. He will no doubt thrive with his head coach from the Hurricanes and the University of Kentucky Wesleyan, Marcus Herford, as his offensive coordinator. On the Italian front the most important reinforcement has arrived on defense with the signing of linebacker Roman Vikhnin from the Milano Rhinos.
Zahradka finished the 2017 season third in passing yardage in Italy with 2,154 yards.
The Giants have won their two opening games of the season, first downing the Lazio Ducks 21-15 in the rain in Rome, and then easily handling the Bergamo Lions in the snow in Bolzano 35-8.
Head coach Argeo Tisma has reassembled a Giants team that finished with a 7-3 record in 2017 reaching the semifinals where they lost to the Milano Rhinos. Having signed a new QB in Jon Brown (Glendale CC), Tisma has re-signed Mark Simone, the second leading receiver in Italy last year. He has also added safety Dejvion Steward (Tiffin University, NCAA, Div. II). New Italian players include CB Giuseppe Della Vecchia from the Milano Rhinos.
Giants WR Nicolo Gallina hauls in a TD pass against Bergamo Lions
Brown has looked solid in his first two outings throwing for 388 yards and seven touchdowns while Simone has caught six passes for 148 yards and four touchdowns.
The Giants, with the only American football specific facility in Italy, have not missed the playoffs in Italy since 2010.
Watch the game live here. Bolzano Giants @Milano Seamen, Saturday, March 17 7p (1p EST)
