Sunday Recap: Dominating performances and record-breaking crowds

Conference matchup decided in last seconds

The Vienna Vikings and Berlin Thunder played each other to determine an early contender for the conference championship. The Vikings dominated most of the game turning a 0-3 deficit into a 24-3 lead, thanks to a rushing touchdown from Pajarinen and two receiving touchdowns from Jordan Bouah. But the Thunder started what looked like a fourth-quarter comeback after an Isom rushing touchdown and two TD catches by Wilzeck and Jackson. In the end, the Vikings spoiled the Thunder’s comeback hopes with a game winning field goal by Tasic to re-take a 27-24 lead with only four seconds to go. The Vikings are standing at 1-0, while the Thunder are now at .500.  

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Blowout in Leipzig

The Wrocław Panthers proved that their performance last week was no fluke. Tony Tate once again, dominated the competition rushing for 44 yards and two touchdowns, while also catching six passes for 66 yards and two touchdowns. The Kings’ offense depended heavily on US running back Steve McShane, who recorded 172 rushing yards on 26 carries, but besides a Devan Burrell 1-yard rushing touchdown, Leipzig just could not put points on the board. The Panthers are starting their season 2-0, while the Kings are falling to 1-1.

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Spoiled home opener in Switzerland

The Helvetic Guards fought a tough battle in their first home game, facing the Tirol Raiders’ high-powered offense. The team from Switzerland managed to keep the game close in the first half, until a Tobias Bonatti rushing touchdown put the Raiders 16-7 ahead. Kicker Niklas Sanin closed the game for the Raiders with two field goals in the fourth quarter, securing a 22-7 win and improving the Tirol’s record to 2-0. The Guards did not play bad on defense but besides Silas Nacita, no one on offense was able to score, leading to them falling to 0-2.

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New regular season attendance record

The Hamburg Sea Devils hosted the game against Rhein Fire in front of 32.500 fans at the Volksparkstadion. The guests took the lead first and never looked back, leading by as much as 18 points, before two fourth quarter touchdowns by the amazing Jean-Claude Madin Cerezo and Malik Stanley put the Sea Devils back in the game. But after a failed onside kick, Jim Tomsula’s team let the time run out, winning 27-22 against the conference rival. 

Watch the Highlights here!