LIVESTREAM: Germany – Hildesheim Invaders @Potsdam Royals, July 7, 3p (9a EST)

AFI | American Football | 07/07/2018

Graphic: Igor lazarevic

The 1-6 Hildesheim Invaders head into Potsdam, Germany July 7 to try to secure their second victory of the season when they take on the 4-4 Potsdam Royals,Europe #8 as the German Football League plays its last round before a four week break.

In the first meeting between these two teams, the Royals handed Hildesheim an embarrassing 56-0 thrashing as both teams opened the 2018 season.

Since then, Potsdam has won three of seven including three in a row after beating the Invaders. They dropped last week’s game against the Braunschweig New Yorker Lions 45-14. In fact, Potsdam has beaten only one +.500 team so far, the Berlin Rebels.

Nevertheless, the Royals have enjoyed a good season in their first year in the GFL and have added a European Football League crown. Potsdam defeated Italy’s Milano Seamen in the European Football League final in a thriller, 43-42..

Potsdam is fourth highest scoring offense in Germany averaging 36.5 points per fame. The Royals are averaging 406 yards of offense a game .

Royals quarterback Austin Gahafer is the 3rd leading passer with 2,081 yards and 29 TDs after eight games and his top receiver is Danish WR Frederik Myrup Nielsen who is also 3rd in receiving yards with 776. Potsdam running back Tyvis Smith gives the Royals a major threat on the ground and is second in rushing in Germany with 742 yards and six touchdowns.

The Invaders won their first game of the year last week when they defeated the last place Hamburg Huskies 23-9. Quarterback Shazzon Murphy has thrown for 829 yards and four touchdowns while rushing for another 163 and two. Running back Reggie Bullock has rushed for 252 yards in the five games he has played, but 102 of those were against the Huskies in last week’s win.

Hildesheim is languishing near the bottom in almost every offensive category, but the addition of Bullock has improved their running game. With Murphy also a threat with his legs, they could surprise Potsdam who have been giving up over 100 yards rushing a game.

This is a game both teams need to win before the GFL heads into the long, four-week break.