LIVESTREAM PPV: IFAF European Championship Qualifier: Great Britain vs Team Italy, Oct. 30, 15:00 CET (3 pm, 9 am ET)

| 2023 IFAF Men's European Championship | 10/30/2022

Today, Team Great Britain (GB) will travel to Milan to take on the reigning title holders, Team Italy, in the International Federation of American Football, IFAF, European Qualifiers. 

As defending champions, Italy will not only be favorites to win against Great Britain but also the entire tournament. GB, on the other hand, are competing for the first time since losing to Sweden in 2019 and are therefore somewhat of an unknown entity.

Leading the Italian National Team at quarterback will be Luke Zahradka who led the team to their first European Championship win last year in a 41-14 win over Sweden. . Zahradka has also led a number of successful campaigns domestically with the Milano Seamen and is touted as one of the best signal callers in Europe, period.

Watch the game live here on PPV. Great Britain @ Team Italy, Oct. 30. 15:00 CET (3 pm, 9 am ET)

Zahradka will be heavily aided by Italian-Americans Michael Gentili at running back and Jared Gerbino at wideout along with some domestic studs in Jordan Bouah and Tamsir Seck. Gerbino and Zahradka played on opposing teams in this year’s Italian Bowl but have since represented Italy in the World Flag Tournament allowing for the pair to find some familiarity.

On the other side of the ball will be the Manchester Titans’ quarterback Sam Bloomfield at quarterback who recently led them to their first ever Brit Bowl win over the London Warriors. But Bloomfield is not the only new face of the GB squad as 35 of the 45-man squad will be getting their first cap today along with the new appointed Head Coach Jason Scott.

It will be a tough task for GB to pull off an upset over the reigning champions, but they will have the element of surprise on their side as Italy Head Coach Davide Giuliano admitted earlier this week that they have no idea what to expect out of team GB. 

One thing is for sure though, Italy will score points. If GB want to get through this first-round qualifier with a win, they will need to do the same.

Watch the game live here on PPV. Great Britain @ Team Italy, Oct. 30. 15:00 CET (3 pm, 9 am ET)

Daniel Mackenzie is a Press Association graduate who works in journalism and communications in the third sector. Daniel began playing football for the London Warriors and Team Great Britain and has since played across Europe.