[tps_title]2015 Big6 Europe[/tps_title]
Inaugurated in 2014, the Big6 is a joint initiative of some of the top American football clubs in Europe. The tournament aims to present a high-level competition in European American football culminating in July with the Eurobowl. The Eurobowl trophy is traditionally Europe’s top prize for club American football, and it’s history dates back to 1986.In last year’s final game, the Berlin Adler beat the Braunschweig New Yorker Lions in Berlin by a score of 20-17. It was the Adler’s second Eurobowl trophy win and the eighth for a German team. Both these teams return to Big6 play and are joined by GFL’s runner’s-up the Schwäbisch Hall Unicorns.
Austrian clubs have won the Eurobowl trophy eight times and in 2015 the Vienna Vikings and Swarco Tirol Raiders return to Big6 to fight for the trophy.
The sixth team for the 2015 tourney, is the French club the Flash de La Courneuve from Paris.
The format of this tourney will follow last year’s, with two groups of three playing a round-robin stage before the group winners advance to Eurobowl XXIX.
Because of possible scheduling conflicts with the recently cancelled and subsequent pickup of the World Championships by the USA, the dates and a schedule for 2015 Big6 tourney have yet to be determined.
But for now.. let’s meet the clubs!
[tps_header]Schwäbisch Hall Unicorns (Germany)[/tps_header]
[tps_title]2015 Big6 Europe[/tps_title]
The 2014 German Football League runner’s up Schwäbisch Hall Unicorns have dominated American football in the GFL South in recent years. The Unicorns have won their division in 2009, and every year from 2011 to 2014. They capped off their 2011 and 2012 seasons with German Bowl titles.
Their season ended in when the Unicorns were routed by the Braunschweig New Yorker Lions in German Bowl XXXVI 47-9. The Unicorns are lead by German national team players QB Marco Ehrenfried and RB Danny Washington. They will be joined in the backfield in 2015 by American Christian Rycraw. On defense the Unicorns return American Cody Pastorino at DB and bring in ex-CFL LB Kyle Voss.
[tps_header]Swarco Tirol Raiders (Austria)[/tps_header]
[tps_title]2015 Big6 Europe[/tps_title]
A traditional Austrian power, the Swarco Tirol Raiders from Innsbruck captured the Eurobowl title in 2008, 2009, and 2011.
Looking ahead to 2015 the Raiders have a big void to fill in their backfield as they have lost star Austrian national team RB Andreas Hofbauer (pictured above) to the German Kiel Baltic Hurricanes in the offseason.
However, the signing of American QB Sean Shelton, most recently of the Elancourt Templiers and 2014 Finnish and IFAF Europe Champions Helsinki Roosters, guarantees a strong signal-caller and passer in the offensive backfield.
[tps_header]Berlin Adler (Germany)[/tps_header]
[tps_title]2015 Big6 Europe[/tps_title]
The Berlin Adler are the defending Eurobowl champions and handed the eventually GFL champions, the New Yorker Lions, their only loss in 2014. However, the Adler fell the to Lions the following week in a GFL game and missed the German Football League playoffs altogether. They also fired their HC Kim Kuci before the GFL season even ended.
It is still unknown who will line-up under center and for the Adler in 2015. Look for HC Eric Schramm to replace import athletes like QB Darius Outlaw, who returns to the Berlin Rebels. The status of 2014 athletes Talib Wise and Conrad Meadows is still unknown.
That said, the Berlin Alder organization has one of the deepest pools of German talent in the country. They should have lots of home-grown talent to keep them competitive in the Big6.
[tps_header]Vienna Vikings (Austria)[/tps_header]
[tps_title]2015 Big6 Europe[/tps_title]
Founded in 1983, the Vienna Vikings are regulars to Eurobowl competition having won the title five times (2004–2007 and 2013), as well being the runner-up four times (2003, 2008, 2010 and 2012).
The Vikings will sign no imports for 2015. This will be the first time in 25 years they will play without imports. HC Chris Calaycay will replace retired Austrian national team QB Chris Gross with 20-year old Alexander Thury. The Vikings have also lost their top WR, Laurhino Walch, to the Frankfurt Galaxy, but have a talented and experienced WR group to fill the gap.
On defense the Vikings will be led by Austrian league MVP OLB Simon Blach and a strong DL group that has four national team caliber players. The DB group also boasts two national team starters.
[tps_header]Flash de la Courneuve (France)[/tps_header]
[tps_title]2015 Big6 Europe[/tps_title]
The Flash de la Courneuve from Paris are one of top teams in France. They have won the French title every year from 2005 to 2009 and again in 2011. Since 2011 there has been a changing of the guard as many older, experienced players retired and a younger team has emerged. However, the Flash has remained near the top of the FFFA‘s Elite Division. In 2014 they lost in the FFFA’s semi-finals to the Asnieres-sur-Seine Molosses, also from Paris.
The Flash have a strong organization and probably the deepest talent pool in France. Being the only club not from Germany or Austria, look for the Flash to bring a unique level of speed and talent in the Big6 tourney.
On the import side the Flash are bringing in two D-1 NCAA athletes from the University of South Florida, RB Marcus Shaw and DB Kevon Mark Joyce.
[tps_header]Braunschweig New Yorker Lions (Germany)[/tps_header]
[tps_title]2015 Big6 Europe[/tps_title]
The twice defending German Football League champion Lions from Braunschweig were AFI’s #1 team at the end of the Europe’s American football season. They ran through their German competition, and only had one trip-up in the 2014, losing to the Berlin Adler 20-17 in the Eurobowl.
Not much is yet known for the Lions in 2015 as HC Troy Tomlin and his staff are still assembled their roster. RB David McCants is sure to return, but the status of the rest of Braunschweig powerful offense has yet to be announced or determined.