LIVESTREAM Swiss Bowl: Bern Grizzlies vs Calanda Broncos, July 16, 18:00 CET (6 pm, 12 noon ET)

AFI | American Football | 07/16/2022

Graphic: Igor Lazarevic

The unbeaten Bern Grizzlies will take on the defending champion Calanda Broncos Saturday, July 16 in the 2022 Swiss Bowl set for Brühl Stadium in Grenchen. Switzerland.

This is a matchup made in heaven for arrangers. The Grizzlies enter the game unbeaten which includes two wins against Calanda, winners of the past four Swiss titles. In fact, Bern was the last team to defeat the Broncos in the championship game, beating them 42-35 in 2016.

On the other hand, the Broncos are making their 14th straight appearance in the Swiss Bowl and eighth with head coach Geoff Buffum at the helm. However, this is the first time in a long time that Calanda is the underdog.

Add to this the fact that Bern quarterback Clark Evans won two Swiss championships with the Broncos (2017 and 2018), and also the fact that Calanda defeated the Grizzlies in the 2021 title game, and this becomes a classic rivalry game.

The Grizzlies enter the game with the best offense and defense in Switzerland having averaged 31.9 points a game while giving up a mere 7.2. Bern knocked off the Thun Tigers easily in the semifinals, whipping them 45-0. Meanwhile, the Calanda offense isn’t far behind having scored 309 points in 10 games, but the defense surrendered more than twice the number of points, 166.

In the two games between the two during the regular season, Bern prevailed by a touchdown in each, beating the Broncos 27-20 at home and 30-23 on the road.

Evans is the key to the Bern offense having thrown for 1,752 yards and a league-best 23 touchdowns. But he also rushed for another 770 yards and 12 touchdowns. Wide receiver Matteo Schlapbach was his main target hauling in 21 passes for 427 yards and 10 touchdowns while Xavier Baudraz had 17 catches for 303 yards and three scores. Running back Ibony Mbungu rushed for 647 yards and 10 touchdowns.

For Calanda, quarterback Chase Andries has tossed 19 touchdown passes while rushing for six more. Running back Brecht Deboosere has added eight touchdowns on the ground while teammate Gregorio Calonego scored seven. The backfield also features running backs Steffen Haenelt and Erik Rageth while wideout Melvin Sassi has excellent speed and is always dangerous.

Although the Broncos have suffered through a string of injuries during the season, they enter this game relatively healthy. Meanwhile, Bern is looking to capture their first Swiss title since 2016.