LIVESTREAM Spain: Gijon Mariners @Osos Rivas, March 4, 15:00 CET (3 pm, 9 am ET)

The Spanish National League of American Football heads into the latter half of the season as the Osos Rivas (3-2) from Madrid play host to the 1-3 Gijon Mariners.

Osos Rivas opened the season with a solid 16-3 win over the Mariners but followed that up with a historic 3-2 loss to their title game opponents, the Las Rozas Black Demons, before handing the Alcobendas Cavaliers a 38-0 shutout. Osos then downed the Coslada Camioneros 7-3 only to lose a second time to the Black Demons, this time by a score of 7-0. Meanwhile, Gijon were beaten 16-3 by Osos and 56-14 by the Black Demons before losing 21-14 to the Camioneros. They bounced back to defeat the Alcobendas Cavaliers 40-20.

Osos Rivas have been playing stellar defense all season long and in fact in five games they have given up just a single touchdown. Linebackers Sam Taylor, Jorge Juarez, and veteran defensive end Johny Escobar give this front seven a new element of speed and physicality.

On offense, the Osos Rivas will continue to rely on newly signed running back Joc Crawford (Kansas, Berlin Thunder). At quarterback, Sergio Barbera will look to get the ball to veterans David Giron and Alvaro Guitian.

Mariners Mexican quarterback Sergio Cebado, is a dual threat passer and the addition of running back Irvin Riley (Jacksonville University) to the lineup, gives Gijon an added boost. The Mariners held their own against Osos Rivas in the season’s opening game and with the momentum from that last win over the Cavaliers, expect them to give the home team problems today.

Gijon Mariners @Osos Rivas, March 4, 15:00 CET (3 pm, 9 am ET)