Italian Football League thriller: Bologna Warriors edge Bergamo Lions in OT to stave off relegation
The Bologna Warriors (2-6) staged a dramatic overtime comeback to defeat the Bergamo Lions (0-9) 20-14 in Bologna handing the Lions their ninth straight loss and relegating them to the relegation playouts.
Lions’ inventive first half
With starting quarterback Jay Batterfield suspended, Bergamo’s offensive coordinator deployed a dual-QB system. Luca Aldrighetti and Giovanni Zani alternated under center, each throwing a touchdown pass—Zani caught one from Aldrighetti, while Moro hauled in the second—to stun Bologna with a 14-0 halftime lead.
Warriors’ resilient comeback
Bologna clawed back in the fourth quarter, fueled by short rushing touchdowns from Gael Laurent and QB Viktor Wessberg. A critical touchdown reception by Ruben Lucchini tied the game 14-14, forcing overtime.
overtime heroics
In OT, Wessberg connected with Emanuele Ghirotti for the go-ahead score. The Warriors’ defense then stonewalled Bergamo’s final drive, sealing the win and sparing Bologna from the playout zone.
implications
The Lions’ loss confirms their last-place finish, sending them to a relegation showdown against the Albisola Pirates. For Bologna, the escape injects late-season hope, though defensive lapses and early offensive struggles remain concerns. Wessberg’s dual-threat grit (two total TDs) and the clutch performance of receivers Lucchini and Ghirotti highlighted the Warriors’ resilience in a must-win clash.
This frenetic matchup, defined by tactical ingenuity and late-game drama, encapsulated the desperation of two teams fighting to extend their campaigns.
