Germany: Kiel Baltic Hurricanes edge Braunschweig Lions 24-17

AFI | American Football | 05/18/2026

The Kiel Baltic Hurricanes (1-0) kicked off their season with a thrilling 24-17 victory over the Braunschweig Lions (0-2) on Saturday at Eintracht Stadium. In front of 2,052 fans, the game was a nail-biter that kept everyone on the edge of their seats until the final whistle.

Lions start strong

The Lions came out of the gate with a strong offensive showing. After winning the coin toss, they opted to receive the kickoff and quickly moved down the field. Quarterback Ryon Thomas connected with Peter Anderson for a 14-yard touchdown pass, putting Braunschweig up 7-0 early in the first quarter. The Lions‘ defense was equally impressive, stifling the Hurricanes‘ attempts to respond and forcing a turnover on downs.

As the first quarter progressed, both teams struggled to find their offensive rhythm. The Lions managed to extend their lead to 10-0 with a 33-yard field goal from Mark-Robin Peschelt just before halftime, showcasing their defensive prowess and capitalizing on mistakes from the Hurricanes.

Hurricanes rally in the second half

After halftime, the Hurricanes came out with renewed energy. They quickly got on the board with a 31-yard field goal from Anousheh Fulford, narrowing the gap to 10-3. The Lions struggled to regain their momentum, and Kiel took advantage of the situation. Quarterback PJ Settles connected with Jarvis McClam for a 28-yard touchdown pass, tying the game at 10-10.

The Lions responded with a touchdown of their own, as Thomas found Arvid Lippels in the end zone for an 8-yard score, putting Braunschweig back in the lead at 17-10. However, the Hurricanes were not done yet. McClam struck again, catching another pass from Settles for a 40-yard touchdown, leveling the score at 17-17.

Decisive final moments

With the game tied, both teams fought hard for the win. The Lions had a chance to regain the lead but were unable to convert on a crucial fourth down. With just under two minutes left, the Hurricanes seized their opportunity. Settles executed a surprising 43-yard run, and after a fumble near the goal line, receiver Michel Peschel recovered the ball in the end zone for the game-winning touchdown, making it 24-17.

The Lions attempted a last-minute comeback, but their hopes were dashed when Tieu-Long Otte intercepted Thomas, sealing the victory for the Hurricanes.

Key individual numbers

In terms of individual performances, Hurricanes quarterback PJ Settles threw for 232 yards and two touchdowns, with Jarvis McClam catching four passes for 115 yards and two touchdowns. Running back Maximilian Lundahl was the game’s leading rusher, carrying the ball 18 times for 87 yards.

For Braunschweig, Ryon Thomas threw for 250 yards and two touchdowns while also rushing for 84 yards. His favorite target was Peter Anderson, who had 10 catches for 149 yards and a touchdown, while Arvid Lippels caught four passes for 32 yards and a touchdown.

Summing up

Despite the loss, the Braunschweig Lions showed significant improvement from their previous game. They will look to build on this performance as they prepare to face the reigning champions from Potsdam next week. Meanwhile, the Kiel Baltic Hurricanes will aim to carry their momentum into their next matchup against the Dresden Monarchs.