Preview: BIG6 Europe – Germans & Austrians Clash Once Again!
Offense is led by QB #8 Chris Gross needs to find his magic again. Ex-Florida Gators RB #1 Emmanuel Moody has been a force when healthy. No doubt the long break was beneficial for him. But the loss of team captain LT #79 Valentin Gruber against Braunschweig has been a disaster for the Vikes OL. WR #6 Laurinho Walcho will challenge the German defensive backfield with his speed and 2 meters tall (6’5″) TE #11 Manuel Thaller has been a really nice surprise this season.
Vikings defense has been a force for many years, especially against the run. It will be a very interesting match up against the Dresden powerful running game. They have to make them to be one dimensional.
One key of the game might be how mentally rested are some the Viennese players? Vienna had no less than 20 players on the Austrian national team. Not easy to have such a heartbreaking loss on Saturday night and then switch quickly your focus on a new goal with your club team. Physically it will also be a challenge after playing 3 games in a week. On the other side, Dresden had only 4 players at the European Championship (2 Germans and 2 French), so most of the team will be for sure fresh. If Dresden manage to have a great start, anything is possible.
