Swedish defending champions, the Carlstad Crusaders defeated the Tamworth Phoenix, British reigning titleholders, 34-14 in Tamworth, England last weekend in a Northern European Football League game.
Carlstad cruised out to a 34-7 halftime lead and then held on to win comfortably.
Crusaders quarterback Philip Juhlin completed only 15 of 41 passes in a constant downpour for 181 yards and two touchdowns with 6’5″ receiver Jacob Dahre catching both touchdown passes. Running back Christian Forsman added a rushing touchdown and safety Julius Rucker returned an interception 95 yards for a touchdown.David Nyhlén kicked two field goals and four extra points for a Carlstad team which seemed content just to come away with a win on the road.
Carlstad DB Julius Rucker en route to a TD after an interception Photo: Mike Ashton
For the Phoenix, quarterback Pat Daly threw for 139 yards and no touchdowns but had two passes picked off, one for a touchdown. He scored a touchdown in the fourth quarter on a six yard run. Wide receiver Ben Burslem also scored a rushing touchdown.
Leading 10-7 early in the second quarter, Carlsatd exploded for three straight touchdowns including Rucker’s backbreaking pick six with less than a minute left in the half to take a 34-7 halftime lead.
Carlstad WR Jacob Dahre caught 2 TD passes Photo: Mike Ashton
The Crusaders played ball control for most of the rest of the game, eating up the clock. Tamworth scored a touchdown on a Daley run early in the fourth and came close a couple of times but the Crusaders defense led by Christian Kuylenstjerna who had eight tackles, a sack and a tackle for loss, made key plays when they needed to.
With the win, Carlstad moves out to 2-0 in the NEFL tournament and will now face the unbeaten Copenhagen Towers (2-0) on June 9 in the game to decide the NEFL champion.
Photos: Mike Ashton