LIVESTREAM Polish Bowl: Tychy Falcons @ Bydgoszcz Archers, 14:00 CET (2 pm, 08:00 am ET)

What a difference a year makes.

Last season, the Bydgoszcz Archers and Tychy Falcons were both knocked out of the Polish semifinals in a resounding fashion.

This year, they both dominated their semifinal matchups and face each other in Polish Bowl XVI.

In fact, the Bydgoszcz Archers have been a dominant force all season and enter today’s championship at a perfect 7-0. This undefeated squad is eager to hoist the trophy for the first time in club history after a brilliant regular season. Across the field, the Tychy Falcons may not have been perfect (6-2) but they are four quarters away from making their own history as they also look to win the club’s first-ever national championship. These two teams met back on June 5 with the Archers winning 28-14 in an exciting back and forth game.  Fans can expect another great game again as these two teams will lay it all on the line one last time today.

Polish Bowl: Tychy Falcons @ Bydgoszcz Archers, 14:00 CET (2 pm, 08:00 am ET)

The Falcons have endured a roller-coaster season as injuries have cost them, several key contributors. Throughout the season, head coach Michal Kolek has steadied the ship finding a way to rally his experienced team. Kolek’s offense once featured speedy quarterback Jules St. Ge before a knee injury ended his season. Defensive back Laparish Lewis stepped in until quarterback Gabriel Losada arrived. Losada played two games before going down with an injury of his own. Overall, four Falcons have played behind center all four of whom threw for a touchdown. Losada returned just in time for the team’s semifinal, unleashing an explosive passing attack that dominated the Bialystok Lowlanders. Today, Losada will be eager to find receiver Dominik Niedziela and running back Jan Szwej.  If Losada can heat up like he did last week and avoid turnovers, the Falcons could be celebrating their first-ever title tonight. Look for the talented Polish tailback Jan Szwej to get some carries as Tychy needs to win time of possession against this well-coached Archers team.

Tychy head coach Michal Kolek on the Polish Bowl:

“It feels amazing to reach the Championship game for the first time in Falcons’ history, and it tastes so much sweeter because of all the adversity we had to overcome in 2021. Our players did truly an amazing job having to adjust to four different quarterbacks and various gameplans throughout the season and I feel that in the end, this is what helped to show the true character of our team.”

Defensively, the Falcons lost another key player as defensive lineman Dominik Sikora will not be able to play. His twin brother, Jacek Sikora looks to dominate in his absence. In the secondary, Laparrish Lewis will have to play well against a potent Archers passing attack. If Lewis can make a big play on defense or special teams, Tychy could pull off the upset.

Coach Kolek on his team’s resilience through a trying season:

“Because of all the hardship we had to endure we gained this mentality where you can throw anything at us, and we will just adapt and keep fighting to come out victorious, against all odds and doubters. I am really proud of all of my athletes, over and over again they have shown that they absolutely deserve this title, now they just need to execute for one last time in the Polish Bowl XVI.”

The Archers’ undefeated season may come as a surprise to most fans of Polish football, but to Archers GM Osman Sulkiewsicz the team’s quick rise from the lower leagues to the pinnacle of the Polish Football League was all part of the plan. Sulkiewsicz and head coach Daniel Piechnik have assembled a talented roster filled with both veterans and promising young players. Their imports have raised the level of play and brought excitement to key positions, none more so than quarterback Jake Schimenz. The short but athletic passers’ Doug Flutie-like playing style has been a pleasure for fans to watch. Schimenz is a former baseball player who dominated the American football scene in Brazil before coming to the Archers. His thrilling play alone is worth the price of admission. The former Brazilian league MVP has put up 1,508 total yards and 21 total touchdowns during the regular season finding sure-handed Polish receivers Tomasz Suchanek, Jakub Kubacki, and Pawel Fabich often. Running back Bartosz Gnoza’s speed also merits the Tychy defense’s attention. Fans can expect Schimenz to make magic one more time as he’s been the league’s most valuable offensive player.

Schimenz remains humble in anticipation of the championship matchup:

“I have so much respect for the Falcons and their organization so I know it will be another great battle on the field. I’m just looking forward to playing one last game with my amazing teammates and coaching staff.”

Defensively, all eyes are on this Archers‘ secondary as they have the tough task of containing a dynamic Tychy passing attack. Spaniard Javier Carrasco looks to impact the game from his safety position. Carrasco has been a ballhawk for this defense leading the league with four interceptions. At the second level, linebacker Robbie Wallace is a key player to watch as the Wingate University (NCAA D2) product has scored three touchdowns on defense. If the Archers can cause turnovers, they could be celebrating their ever first league title in Bydgoszcz tonight.

Carrasco feels confident against Tychy’s potent offense:

“We are the best defense in the PFL this season…the only thing we need to do is to play our football like we’ve been doing so far, offensively and defensively”

With the powerhouse Wroclaw Panthers leaving the Polish football scene, the Polish Football League quickly became a wide-open race. Both the Archers and the Falcons seized the opportunity and are looking for their first title in league history today. The Falcons have weathered the storm after an up and down season to play in today’s championship. Meanwhile, the Archers have looked like a team of destiny since week one and enter today’s game with a perfect record. Fans can anticipate a hard-fought and competitive game between two hungry clubs eager to make history.

Watch the Polish Bowl live here. Tychy Falcons @ Bydgoszcz Archers, 14:00 CET (2 pm, 08:00 am ET)

Bydgoszcz Archers roster (click to enlarge)

Tychy Falcons roster (click to enlarge)