LIVESTREAM Poland: Wroclaw Panthers @ Tychy Falcons, Sept. 5, 15:00 CET (09:00 ET)

AFI | American Football | 09/05/2020

Graphic: Igor Lazarevic

The defending Liga Futbolu Amerykańskiego, LFA, champions in Poland, the Wroclaw Panthers will open the shortened 2020 season on the road when they face 2019 LFA semifinalists, the Tychy Falcons, Saturday, September 5.

These two teams faced each other once during the 2019 season with Wroclaw coming out on top 40-12.

The Falcons enter the season with an offense led by German quarterback Niklas Gorny (Bielefeld Bulldogs) with his key target 6’5″, 220 pound wide receiver Rashad Still (University of Minnesota). Running back Jan Szwej and tight end Dominik Niedziela also form a critical part of the offense.

Defensively, Tychy will rely on British linebacker David Izinyon and defensive tackle Jacek Sikora. Izinyon played for the Rostock Griffins in Germany’s GFL2 division in 2018 and 2019 where he amassed 272 tackles third-best in the league.The secondary is anchored by Igor Szymczyk

Head coach Michał Kołek:

“I am very excited to finally be able to enter the season after such a long break. We have managed to get through the quarantine period without really slowing down our pace of preparations. Right now we feel ready and confident going forward into the season. Our import players fit in the team very well and boosted our domestic potential which was significantly improved this offseason. I expect nothing but the best from my players and I believe they will do everything to prove the belong amongst the best in the country.”

Wroclaw Panthers @ Tychy Falcons, Sept. 5, 15:00 CET (09:00 ET)

Needless to say, the defending and three-time Polish champion Panthers are loaded to bear with the recent addition of Canadian Football League (Winnipeg Blue Bombers) defensive end Thiadric Hansen to the roster. The offense is led by veteran and Polish national team quarterback Bartosz Dziedzic and in the backfield Wroclaw also has 5’11”, 210 lb University of Hawaii running back Ryan Tuiasoa who played for Hungary’s Fehérvár Enthroners in 2019. The offensive line is anchored by German giant Sven Breidenbach (Cologne Crocodiles) who was selected from the CFL Combine held in Germany earlier this year.

Panthers General Manager Kuba Głogowski:

“After a extremely long off-season we’re finally going to play. I’m proud of how our players responded to the whole turmoil with the pandemic and used this opportunity to get better. We can’t wait to compete with the best teams in Poland and we embrace the challenge ahead of us.’

Watch the game live here. Wroclaw Panthers @ Tychy Falcons, Sept. 5, 15:00 CET (09:00 ET)

Tychy Falcons roster (Click to enlarge)