This weekend, Turkey’s Istanbul Bogazici Sultans, head to Lisbon, Portugal to face the Lisbon Devils in IFAF Europe Champions League second weekend of play in 2016. Meanwhile, Serbia’s 2015 champion the GAT Novi Sad Dukes play host to the Danube Dragons from Austria.
The Lisbon Devils favorites to win the Portuguese league championship next week, square off against the Istanbul Bogazici Sultans from Turkey at Campo Branca Lucas stadium as both teams open the Champions League play this weekend.
The Sultans are playing in the tournament for the second time. In 2015, they were in a group with eventual finalist Vukovi Belgrade from Serbia and Slovenia’s Ljubljana Silverhawks and lost both games.
In Turkish league play this year, Istanbul has a 3-1 record and sit in second place overall behind their perennial rivals, the Koc Rams who won their opening game in Champions League last week over Russia’s St. Petersburg Griffins.
Lisbon is playing in its first ever international competition. The Devils are undefeated in Portugal and have their eyes set on winning the championship in Portugal for the first time next weekend. With quarterback Joey Bradley and ex-NFL receiver Collin Franklin, the Devils could be a formidable opponent for the Sultans.
Serbia’s Novi Sad Dukes, winners of the 2015 Serbian championship, play host to the Danube Dragons from Austria. It is the first IFAF Europe Champions League tournament for either team.
The Dukes are currently second in the Serbian league after losing a tough game to their arch-rivals, SBB Vukovi Belgrade in league play.
Quarterback Drew Banks is having a great year in Serbia and with his mobility can create problems for Danube.
The Dragons have struggled in Austria this season. Entering this game they are 0-3 in Austrian league play. But quarterback Jamal Londry-Jackson is also very mobile and versatile. This will be an interesting matchup.