8 American college teams set to face international opponents

AFI | Allgau Comets | 01/10/2019

Club and all-star teams from Austria, China, Germany, Italy, Spain and the Czech Republic will welcome an Ivy League school, Division III colleges and a high school select team as Global Football takes travelers into the international arena for a 24^th consecutive year in 2019.

On March 9, the University of Pennsylvania will become the first Ivy League school to play a game of American football in China when the Quakers take on the China All Stars in Shanghai. The hosts feature many players from the Shanghai Titans, who on January 12 defend their American Football League of China (AFLC) title in the championship game.

April 6 sees a select team of players drawn from high schools across the United States, known collectively as Team Stars & Stripes, take on the East Kilbride Pirates youth team in Sterling, Scotland in the Global Ambassadors Bowl. The bowl will be contested for a 12^th time having first been played in Japan in 2008.

On May 18 or 19, Ohio Northern University will take on the Allgäu Comets in Kempten, Germany at the Illerstadion. The Comets are coached by Jeff Scurran, who has traveled overseas previously with Global Football, twice taking charge of Team Stars & Stripes in the Global Ambassadors Bowls.

That same weekend, the University of the South will be in Rome where the Sewanee Tigers take on the Lazio Ducks of Italy’s Division 1. There is also Italian opposition in store a week later on May 25 or 26 when Muhlenberg College takes on Guelfi Firenze in Florence, where the hosts are led by former Baylor coach Art Briles.

On June 1 or 2, Luther College will face a Spanish All Star team organized by former Barcelona Dragons national coach Marcos Guirles in the Catalan capital. June 8 sees Elmhurst College take on one of Austria’s top clubs, the Graz Giants, then on June 15 or 16, North Central College faces the reigning Czech League champions, the Prague Black Panthers, who have won six straight titles.

Family, friends and alumni wishing to travel with teams heading overseas can find booking details at the web page https://www.globalfootball.com/2019-Tours.

About Global Football:

Since 1996 Global Football has provided 15,000 amateur football players, coaches, families and fans from more than 350 schools the opportunity to travel and compete internationally with similar people of differing cultures. During that time, they have produced games and tours in 28 countries on 6 continents, including 2012, 2014 and 2016 D3 college and high school showcases staged in Ireland alongside the NCAA college football games. Through these games, clinics and tours the people involved experience and learn about unique lands, fascinating people, and the sports environment in different parts of the world. Global Football has become the world’s largest exporter and producer of American football outside of the USA. The Global Football Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit, was formed to further our commitment to these goals. Contact Patrick Steenberge: 817-219-7274 / Email: [email protected].