Sweden’s Carlstad Crusaders host Berlin Rebels in first ever Scandic Bowl April 27
Germany’s Berlin Rebels, quarterfinalists in the German Football League in 2018, are headed to Sweden on April 27 to take on the eight-time champion and 2018 Swedish finalists, the Carlstad Crusaders in Scandic Bowl I, the first major international game of 2019.
The last time the Crusaders faced a German opponent was in 2011 when they shocked the European American football community in EFAF Cup 2011 by defeating the reigning German champions at the time, the Kiel Baltic Hurricanes 22-20 in overtime. Carlstad went on to lose in the EFAF Cup quarterfinals that year to Austria’s Graz Giants, 41-24.
The Crusaders reached the Swedish final in 2018, losing to the Stockholm Mean Machines, their first loss in the championship game since 2010, a string of eight straight titles.
Carlstad head coach Billy, BD Kennedy:
”Getting an opportunity to get to play a top class German team is huge for our club. The fact that the Berlin Rebels are willing to come to Solstaden to play is awesome. We look forward to this game and an opportunity for our fans to see us play against one of the top teams in Germany and all of Europe.”
The Berlin Rebels finished third in the GFL North with a record of 11-3 in 2018 and were eliminated in the GFL quarterfinals by German Bowl finalists, the Frankfurt Universe, losing 6-5 in a downpour. Under head coach Kim Kuci, the Rebels have been a title contender in the German Football League since he took over in 2016 with an overall regular season record of 29-12-1.
Kuci:
”For us it was particularly important this year to gain further experience on an international level. With the Carstad Crusaders we have managed to find a first-class team at the highest European level. This year’s schedule expects us to run in top shape right at the beginning of the season and therefore needed a particularly good preparation opponent. The Crusaders have done a great job to make this match possible and the coaches and players are looking forward to this highlight right at the beginning of the new season.”
The rules for the number of US imports are different in the German Football League which means that the Rebels will come to play with four Americans while the Crusaders have two on their roster, quarterback Shazzon Mumphrey, and James King. In fact, Mumphrey played against the Rebels in 2018 while playing quarterback for the Hildesheim Invaders. Although Hildesheim lost the game 31-17, Mumphrey amassed 302 yards of total offense while throwing for one touchdown and scoring another himself.
Kennedy is excited for the opportunity to face high caliber competition:
”Playing this game as an international friendly gives us the opportunity to host a European tournament caliber game. To play top competition in Europe is a goal we have as a club. This game is definitely that. It should be a great game that the fans will enjoy.”
