The Kristiansand Gladiators (4-3) head to Eidsvoll, Norway Saturday, June 29 to face the Eidsvoll 1814s (5-1) in the first semifinal matchup of 2019 in the Norwegian League of American Football.
These two teams played each other twice in 2019 with the 1814s coming out on top both times, 49-26 and 36-28. Edisvoll finished second in the Norwegian standings behind the Oslo Vikings while the Gladiators were third and played a wild card game against the Nidaros Domers, whipping them 62-6.
Eidsvoll’s latest win over the Gladiators was only two weeks ago but Kristiansand has crept closer.
In the six game Norwegian regular season, the 1814s have averaged 32 points a game while surrendering an average of 20.5. Krisitansand scored 177 points in the six games while giving up an average of 26 . However, the Gladiators are coming of a big win over the Domers.
Eidsvoll head coach Michael Hall, who also starts at quarterback and linebacker, will be trying to lead his team back to the Norwegian final which they reached in 2017. His key target is running back/wide receiver Arne Søgaard along with wide receivers Tor Eric Stensjøen and Yaser Hasan.
Defensively, Hall led the team in tackles. Linebacker Thomas Nordli is also a key along with defensive back Sigurd Grov and defensive end Joacim Eliassen,
The Gladiators returned to the top league this year after a four year absence. Kristiansand won the Norwegian title in 2014 and then inexplicably folded a couple of months before the start of the 2015 season. They return this season with Swedish head coach Leo Bilgren. He brought in young Swedish national team quarterback Dennis Isberg and added at running back Ståle Skjævestad. The key to the defense is middle linebacker Mathias Bue.
Watch the game live here. Kristiansand Gladiators @Eidsvoll 1814s, Sat. June 29, 2p CEDT (8a EDT)
