LIVESTREAM Italy: Parma Panthers @ Ancona Dolphins, March 29, 19:00 CET (7 pm, 2 pm ET)

The Ancona Dolphins (3-1) will host the defending Italian champion Parma Panthers (3-1) Saturday, March 29 in a highly anticipated matchup in the Italian Football League’s Group A conference.

This is the first meeting of the year between the two teams. They faced each other once in 2024 with Ancona coming away 25-24 winners.

Ancona lost 20-14 to the Legnano Frogs to open their season but rebounded with a 47-0 blanking of the Bologna Warriors. They then rolled over the Milano Rhinos 28-9 before pummeling the Bergamo Lions 48-14.

The Panthers defeated Bergamo 35-10 to open their season and followed that up with a 34-15 victory over the Milano Rhinos before dropping a 24-21 decision to the Legnano Frogs. They rebounded with a 45-6 pounding of the Warriors.

Ancona is led by quarterback Blake Eaton (Linfield University) who has thrown for 1,150 yards averaging a league-best 287.5 yards a game, and 17 touchdowns. His main target is receiver Tyler Terhark (North Dakota State) who has hauled in 21 passes for 314 yards and six scores. Right behind is Federico Orlandini who has 23 receptions for 262 yards and two touchdowns.

For Parma, quarterback Emilia Robert Patterson is one of  the keys. He has completed 33 of 59 passes for 492 yards and six touchdowns.

However, in the win over Bologna, he threw but one pass on a rain-drenched, slick, muddy field. Running back Dominic Fiscelli led the way rushing for 208 yards and one touchdown while linebacker Jay Parnell stepped in as well rushing for 67 yards and three more scores. On the season, Fiscelli has 243 yards rushing while Parnell has rushed for 140 yards and four scores.

Wide receiver Matteo Ghelfi has hauled in five passes for 140 yards and two touchdowns while Carlo Tassan leads the team with 14 receptions for 196 yards and two scores.

This will be an excellent matchup for both squads with the edge going to the home team.