LIVE STREAM: Italy Semi-Final – Parma Panthers v. Milano Seamen (4p CEST, 10a EDT)

The Parma Panthers will face arch foe, the Milano Seamen today, Sunday June 25 in the Italian semifinals at Stadio Ennio Tardini in Parma.

The Panthers, who had reached the Italian Bowl six straight years before being bounced out in the semifinals last year by the Bolzano Giants, are playing a Milano team that beat them twice in a row in the title game, 2014 and 2015.

The two teams met a month ago and Parma came away with a nail-biting 17-14 overtime win.

There is virtually nothing separating these two clubs. Although Parma finished second in the Italian I Divisione in 2017 and the Seamen third, all that separated them was an overtime field goal. Milano was second in scoring averaging 34.7 points a game with the Panthers came third with 28.2.

But the Panthers boasted the stingiest defense in Italy allowing only 10.2 points a contest. Milano was third surrendering 11.3.

The key to this game will be defense. Parma has the best defense against the run in the league and gave up only 57 yards a game. Meanwhile, the Seamen were toughest against the pass allowing opposing teams 110 yards of passing yardage per game.

Seamen quarterback Luke Zahradka finished third in passing yardage during the regular season with 2,154 yards. His counterpart with Parma, Tommaso Monardi ended fifth with 1,770 yards. They are the two national team quarterbacks for Italy.

Milano receiver Reece Horn will be back in the lineup for this game. He missed the regular season game against Parma. He caught 32 passes for 638 yards, averaging almost 20 yards a reception. The Panthers had three receiver among the top 10 in the league led by Giorgio Polidori with his 550.

Parma running back Malpeli Avalli led his team with 469 yards rushing this year.

This is a game no one can predict.

LIVE STREAM: Italy Semi-Final – Parma Panthers v. Milano Seamen (4p CEST, 10a EDT)