For the first time since 2013, the Swarco Raiders from Innsbruck, Austria have advanced to the Eurobowl final by soundly defeating the 2015 German Bowl finalists the Schwäbisch Hall Unicorns 34-0 in Big6 play.
The Raiders will face current champions the Braunschweig New Yorker Lions who blanked the Aix en Provence Argonautes from France 53-0. The Raiders last won the Eurobowl final in 2011.
With a crowd of just under 4,000 looking on at Tivoli stadium in Innsbruck, the Raiders took charge early building a 24-0 halftime lead. For the fourth time in a row and for the fifth time in six games the Innsbruck team did not allow their opponents a single point.
Quarterback Sean Shelton completed 24 of 36 passes for 220 yards and three touchdowns. Wide receiver/kicker Clemens Erlsbacher was also outstanding scoring 16 points in the game. He caught five passes for 61 yards and a touchdown, kicked two field goals and four extra points.
Wide receiver Kyle Callahan caught four passes for 102 yards and a touchdown while Sandro Platzgummer hauled in eight passes for 54 yards and a touchdown.
Running back Milton Knox was tough to bring down again carrying the ball 14 times for 160 yards while also catching a pass for a touchdown. He also shocked the Unicorns returning the opening kickoff 96 yards to the four yard line to set up the game’s first score a mere 22 seconds into the contest.
Defensive lineman Jermaine Guynn led his team with 5.5 tackles (4 solo) and 1.5 tackles for loss while defensive back Simon Unterrainer recorded an interception for the Raiders.
The Unicorns could not mount much resistance. Quarterback Marco Ehrenfried had a miserable day completing only 17 of 45 passes for 170 yards while the Unicorns could only muster 51 yards rushing.
Needless to say, Raiders head coach Shuan Fatah was happy with the win:
“It was a team effort today. I am very proud of the team. We have executed our game plan and beat a very good team today. We now look forward to a re-match against Braunschweig. “