The Calanda Broncos, Europe #15, will be looking to defend their title and win their ninth Swiss Bowl when they face the Geneva Seahawks in Swiss Bowl XXXIII July 7 in Bern, Switzerland.
The Broncos enter the game as heavy favorites after waltzing through the regular season with a 10-0 record and winning their semifinal game against the Winterthur Warriors 55-6. Geneva, who finished with a 6-4 regular season record, defeated the Bern Grizzlies in their semifinal 21-14.
Calanda won both games against the Seahawks during the year by scores of 31-6 and 38-22. But in that second game, Geneva scored more points against the Broncos than any other team this year in Switzerland. Seahawks head coach Larry Legault is no stranger to winning championships. As head coach of the Thonon Black Panthers in France, he won the French title in 2013 and 2014.
Geoff Buffum is in his fifth year as head coach of the Broncos and guided them to the Swiss championship in 2012, 2015 and 2017. Calanda also won the Eurobowl title in 2012 under Buffum.
The two offenses were the number one and two offenses in the league with Calanda averaging 42-3 points a game while Geneva scored 346 points in 10 games. Broncos quarterback Clark Evans and Geneva’s JJ Tomlin lead the two most explosive teams in the country.
Lineman Jeff Worthy anchors the Calanda defense, which includes defensive back Jamal Clay and which has allowed an average of just over 10 points a game. The Seahawks defense is led by safety Chris Pauling and was second best giving up just under 25 points a game.