Frankfurt Galaxy defeat Paris Musketeers for key home victory

| American Football | 06/26/2023

The Frankfurt Galaxy earned an important win at home when they defeated the Paris Musketeers 30-13 in the fourth week of European League of Football action.

With the win, Frankfurt improves to 2-1 while the Musketeers suffered their third straight loss and drop to 1-3.

With both teams coming into the game with just one win despite being highly ranked teams before the season, this matchup was a highly anticipated one.

From the opening drive, the game instantly favored the Galaxy. On the second play from scrimmage, Musketeers quarterback Zach Edwards was strip-sacked by Swedish linebacker Sebastian Gauthier who returned the ball three yards short of the Paris goal line. Unsurprisingly, the Galaxy were able to punch the ball into the endzone shortly after, with Thomas Fischbach carrying the ball into the endzone.

Frankfurt RB Thomas Fischbach #27 Photo: Frankfurt Galaxy

After a Musketeers three-and-out, newly-signed Frankfurt quarterback Steve Cluley took to the field for what was a perfect drive; his first passing attempt in the ELF was a flea-flicker completed to Reece Horn for a gain of 59 yards and was followed by a touchdown pass to Nico Strahmann to put the Galaxy up two scores in just four offensive plays. 

A Jamalcolm Liggins interception gave the Galaxy the ball back, however the first play of their next drive saw Paris’ Giovanni Nanguy force and recover a fumble, putting the ball back in Zach Edwards’ hands. The Musketeers marched down the field before Jason Bofunda ran the ball in for Paris’ first score of the game.

Paris and Frankfurt then exchanged scores in the second quarter, with receiving touchdowns from Adria Botella Moreno and Lorenz Regler respectively, giving the Galaxy a 20-13 lead heading into the second half.

The Galaxy opened up the third period with a 41-yard Reece Horn touchdown, further distancing themselves from the Musketeers. 

After back-to-back turnovers (Mamadou Sy fumble recovery, Jamalcolm Liggins interception) towards the end of the third quarter, the game came to a close with a final quarter field goal from Ryan Rimmler to truly eliminate any hopes Paris had of coming back, moving the score to 30-13.

As if to rub salt in the wound, Zach Edwards left the game with a rib injury in the closing minutes, replaced by Hugo Tekedam.

Cluley finished his ELF debut with a 297 yards and three scores on 71% completions, with Reece Horn bringing in seven receptions for an impressive 186 yards and a touchdown.

Paris will host the 1-2 Hamburg Sea Devils in week five as they look to end their losing streak, while the Galaxy will face the 1-2 Cologne Centurions.

A current student at Bournemouth University as well as a quarterback with eight years of playing experience. Brad's goal is to be a part of the growth of the game around the world through journalism and media.