LIVESTREAM Switzerland: Thun Tigers @ Calanda Broncos, April 3, 14:00 CET (2 pm, 08:00 am EDT)

The defending Swiss champions, the Calanda Broncos will kick off their 2022 season Sunday, April 3 by facing newcomers to the Swiss National American Football League, the Thun Tigers.

The Broncos, winners of five Swiss championships since 2015, take on a Thun squad that won the Swiss second division in 2021 in dominating fashion, with a 9-0 record while scoring 292 points in six regular season games and surrendering only 38.

Still, with head coach Geoff Buffum firmly in charge, Calanda enters the season as the favorites, and with a new quarterback, Chase Andries from DePauw University (NCAA Div. III). The 6′, 190 pound native of Indianapolis, Indiana, threw for 5,699 yards and 50 touchdowns in his 31 games at DePauw. Returning from the 2019 championship winning Broncos team is wide receiver/defensive back Max Gray who will no doubt be a key target for Andries.

The Thun Tigers will be playing with an all Swiss lineup led by veteran quarterback Nicolas Leibundgut. This is an interesting approach but given the Thun Tiger youth program has been highly successful in recent years and won the Swiss Junior title in 2020 against the Calanda Broncos, maybe not so surprising. Although it has been difficult for teams promoted from the B division to remain in the elite league, this year may be different.

The game will be played in the Broncos new, temporary stadium at the Obere Au sports complex in Chur, Switzerland. The former home stadium of the Broncos has been torn down and the new stadium will not be ready until 2025.

Thun Tigers @ Calanda Broncos, April 3 , 14:00 CET (2 pm, 08:00 am EDT)