The Danish National League heads into serious playoff mode this weekend as the semifinals feature the first place Copenhagen Towers hosting the fourth place Aalborg 89ers while the second place Søllerød Gold Diggers are at home to the Triangle Razorbacks, who finished third.
Last week, in the Wild Card Playoff, Aalborg disposed of the Aarhus Tigers in convincing fashion, beating them 60-34.
Copenhagen Towers 10-0 – Aalborg 89ers 6-5
The Towers enter the playoffs as the overwhelming favorites and in this matchup will be looking to extend their winning streak to 34 straight games. They have not lost a game since April 9, 2017. Meanwhile, Aalborg is coming into this game with momentum after dominating the Aarhus Tigers in the Wild Card round.
In the only meeting this year between these two, Copenhagen downed the 89ers, 52-36. In last year’s semifinals, the Towers and 89ers also met with Copenhagen dominating and winning 49-18.
Towers quarterback Danny Higgins from Bridgewater State University is the third leading passer in the league averaging just under 200 yards a game while running back Ashton Heard from North Greenville University averaged just over 100 yards rushing a game. His running mate Anton Witmeur who rushed for 1,173 yards in the regular season to lead the league, gives Copenhagen a powerful one-two punch in the backfield. The trio powered Copenhagen into the highest scoring offense in the league with a per game average of 49.3 points.
However, the Towers defense was the key, giving up just 162 points in nine games, by far the best record in Denmark this year.
The 89ers offense is humming with running back Breon Allen who scored three touchdowns in the Wild Card win over Aarhus. Allen, who was second in rushing with 1,083 yards in eight games creates matchup problems on every play. Aalborg quarterback Alexander Kronborg is one of the most prolific passers in Denmark this year and led the league averaging 304 yards passing a game. His leading receiver, Mads Christiansen topped the country with 1,136 yards receiving and 18 touchdowns.
Prediction: Copenhagen Towers
Søllerød Gold Diggers (8-2) – Triangle Razorbacks (6-4)
The Gold Diggers have returned to title contention this year after a dismal season in 2018. Meanwhile Triangle, who reached the final in 2018, have had a solid season.
Søllerød defeated the Razorbacks 40-28 in the only game between the two this season.
Gold Diggers quarterback Nick Rooney has thrown for 2,721 yards and 36 touchdowns in eight games this season and leads an offensive unit that has scored 385 points. Rooney’s key receiver is Thomas Ashworth who has caught 40 passes for 741 yards and eight touchdowns in seven games although he did not see action in the final game against Aarhus.
Triangle’s offense, while not as prolific as the Gold Diggers, has proven it can score but will need the defense to step up in this game.
Prediction: Søllerød Gold Diggers