PREVIEW: Belgium’s Antwerp Diamonds v. Izegem Tribes

On Sunday, the Antwerp Diamonds will play against the Izegem Tribes in a battle for the fourth place in the FAFL, the Flemish American Football League.

Both team have won two of their five games and are looking for a winning record on the season. Even though it is no longer possible for both teams to reach the playoffs it will still be a hardfought battle to take this victory home.

The troops of Tribe head coach Dale Housden will have a hard time against the great, but often handicapped, defense of the Antwerp Diamonds, lead by Marco Karmidi. Cornerback Nils de Groef will not be able to compete because of an injury, furthermore outside linebacker Sergio Borra is questionable. The Tribes’ defense also has a noticeable absentee, linebacker Wim Vanmarcke is injured.

On the other side of the ball the Diamonds have even bigger problems.

Starting running back Nils de Groef (yes, he also plays running back) and star wide receiver Pieter Wauters are both out with injuries. Wauters is not scheduled to return this season after suffering a broken hand against the Ghent Gators last month.

Luckily Diamond head coach John Jolie can count on wide receivers Jens Sinnaeve and rookie Cedric Bellemans to step up and fill the void Pieter Wauters left.

Source: Cederic Vryser