German Football League returns to action

AFI | Allgau Comets | 07/26/2019

Graphic: Igor Lazarevic

The German Football League returns this weekend with a full schedule of games after a four-week July break for most of the teams.

Two teams remain unbeaten so far as the GFL has reached the midpoint of the season. The Braunschweig New Yorker Lions, winners of four of the last six German championships, and the Schwäbisch Hall Unicorns who have won the last two titles.

There were a total of three games during four week break but this weekend, all 16 teams will be back in action.

GFL North

Kiel Baltic Hurricanes (2-4-1) @Hildesheim Invaders (6-1), Saturday, July 27

The Hildesheim Invaders (6-1) will play host to the 2-4-1 Kiel Baltic Hurricanes. Hildesheim, the surprise team in the GFL this year coming out of the gate fast with six straight wins before being tripped up by the New Yorker Lions 35-28. Meanwhile, Kiel is struggling through another sub par season with the toughest part of their schedule still to come.

Cologne Crocodiles (3-6) @Potsdam Royals (2-4-1), Saturday, July 27

Two teams battling to get to .500 meet as the Potsdam Royals (2-4-1) host the 3-6 Cologne Crocodiles. Potsdam has gone winless since May 18 when they beat Dusseldorf 34-17. That’s a span of four games and includes a 28-28 tie with the Kiel Baltic hurricanes. Cologne may have had the toughest opening schedule of any team in the GFL North having faced the top four teams in six of their nine games.

Dresden Monarchs (5-2) @Düsseldorf Panther (0-9), Saturday, July 27

The 5-2 Dresden Monarchs travel to Düsseldorf to face the winless Düsseldorf Panther, a team they defeated 49-13 in the opening game of the year. The Monarchs dropped two very close games, one to the division leading New Yorker Lions and the other to second place Hildesheim. Meanwhile, Dusseldorf have yet to win a game and have had a coaching change.

Berlin Rebels (4-3) @Braunschweig New Yorker Lions (7-0), Sunday, July 28

The GFL North is topped by the undefeated Braunschweig New Yorker Lions who have a 7-0 record and have looked good, finding ways to win in the close games. They will be facing the 4-3 Berlin Rebels who were on a four game winning streak after losing their first three games of the year. The Lions won the first game between these two this year, 29-12.

GFL South

Schwäbisch Hall Unicorns (9-0) @Munich Cowboys (2-6-1), Saturday, July 27

The 9-0 Schwäbisch Hall Unicorns head to Munich to take on the 2-6-1 Munich Cowboys. The Unicorns are looking to extend a 43 game winning streak and look poised to defend their German title for the third straight year. Munich enters the game on a four game losing streak but played well in all four and could have won them.

Marburg Mercenaries (5-3) @Ingolstadt Dukes (1-7), Saturday, July 27

The surging Marburg Mercenaries (5-3), winners of five in a row, will pay a visit to the last place, 1-7 Ingolstadt Dukes. Marburg has beaten the Dukes already once this year, 43-14, while Ingolstadt is coming off its first win of the season, a 31-21 decision over the Allgäu Comets.

Kirchdorf Wildcats (2-6-1)@Frankfurt Universe (6-1), Sunday, July 28

The second place 6-1 Frankfurt Universe are home this weekend, facing the 2-6-1 Kirchdorf Wildcats who sit fifth in the GFL South. Kirchdorf has won two of the last four games after going without a win for the first five. They lost a tough one to Marburg last week after a four week break. The Universe have looked impressive apart from a surprising 31-0 shutout loss to the Unicorns.

Stuttgart Scorpions (6-3) @Allgäu Comets (1-6), Sunday, July 28

The 1-6 Allgäu Comets will be in desperate need to right the ship when they play host to the 6-3 Stuttgart Scorpions. The Comets fell 31-21 to the Ingolstadt Dukes in their last game and are in danger of dropping into the basement of the division. Meanwhile, Stuttgart were soundly beaten by the Mercenaries at the end of June but rebounded somewhat downing the Munich Cowboys 31-24 in a gritty effort.