AFI TV kicks off the Polish Football League in 2021 with an excellent matchup between the Warsaw Eagles and the Tychy Falcons.
The Eagles return to Poland’s top league with many new faces. Across the field, the Falcons bring back an experienced team that reached the semifinals in 2020.
The Warsaw Eagles go into the 2021 season back in Poland’s top league for the first time in three years. Last year during the pandemic, the Eagles opted to play nine-man football. Leading their return to Poland’s top league is new head coach Talib Wise. Wise has an impressive coaching resume with stops in Turkey, Egypt, Spain, and Germany. He has brought in American defensive back Darrain Winston who played for Baker University (NAIA) before turning pro in the arena football league and most recently for the Rostock Griffins in 2019. Up front, the Eagles have defensive lineman Alessandro Madaro who will be a key player on their defense.
Warsaw Eagles @ Tychy Falcons, April 17, 14:00 CET (2 pm, 08:00 am ET)
Offensively, veteran Shazzon Mumphrey will quarterback the Warsaw squad. Mumphrey is a product of New Haven University (NCAA D2) who has played in Denmark, Germany, and Sweden. Mumphrey on the preparation for week one:
“We want to come out, give our best effort as a collective group, have some fun, and try to make sure the scoreboard is in our favor when It hits zero. Coach Wise has harped on effort and intensity and guys have bought in. So we are excited about the task at hand.”
The Tychy Falcons soar into this season with under head coach Michał Kołek. Kołek returns a Falcons team that is filled with experienced Polish players. Defensively, the Falcons bring backbrothers Dominik and Jacek Sikora. The two brothers were key players on the Falcons defensive line in 2020. Defensive back and receiver Laparish Lewis also returns. Lewis played for the Falcons in 2016 and 2019.
After some roster complications, Kołek landed on new quarterback Jules St. Ge, a speedy dual threat quarterback who ran for seven touchdowns and threw for six more scores during his senior season at Kentucky State (NCAA D2). Lining up behind the Falcons new quarterback will be running back Jan Szwej. Swzej was named as one of the top Polish players in 2020, whose combination of speed and power make him a dangerous option out of the backfield.
Szwej on the matchup with Warsaw:
“I think that its going to be very interesting. Nobody knows what to expect from the eagles. But I think that our experience will us get the win on Saturday.”
The new-look Warsaw Eagles return to Poland’s top league with some intriguing talent. They will have a tough first game matching up against an experienced Tychy Falcons squad that brings back the majority of its 2020 team along with a new quarterback.
Watch the game live here. Warsaw Eagles @ Tychy Falcons, April 17, 14:00 CET (2 pm, 08:00 am ET)
Tychy Falcons roster (Click to enlarge)
Warsaw Eagles roster (Click to enlarge)
