LIVESTREAM Switzerland: Calanda Broncos @ Winterthur Warriors, March 25, 17:30 CET (5:30 pm, 12:30 pm EDT)

AFI | American Football | 03/25/2023

Graphic: Igor Lazarevic

The Winterthur Warriors open their Swiss American Football League season at home when they face 2022 runners up, the Calanda Broncos (1-0), Saturday, March 25 at Sportpark Deutweg in Winterthur.

The two teams faced each other twice in 2022 with Calanda winning both games, 34-6 and 28-27.

The Warriors are coming off a 2022 campaign that saw them finish with a 2-8 record. However, with new quarterback Andrew Mathews (Friends University), head coach Christian Boltis is hoping to improve on the team’s performance in 2023.

Calanda, led by veteran head coach Geoff Buffum and quarterback John Uribe, is coming off a solid 27-13 win over the Geneva Seahawks. Uribe threw for 147 yards and two touchdowns in that game with his favorite target being Celeste Conceprio who had seven receptions for 72 yards and one touchdown. Running back Noah Bachofen was a powerhouse on the ground with 17 carries for 112 yards while also catching a 25 yard touchdown pass.

Although Winterthur has not beaten the Broncos since 2017, they made it close in the final game of the 2022 season, dropping a 28-27 decision to Calanda. They could surprise today.