Italy: Final regular season showdowns – Playoff hunts and relegation battles heat up

The final week of the Italian Football League’s regular season promises drama, with playoff berths, seeding, and survival on the line across Groups A and B. As teams gear up for decisive clashes, the standings hang in the balance.

Relegation survival at stake in Bologna
Saturday’s clash between the Bologna Warriors (1-6) and Bergamo Lions (0-8) at Alfheim Field is a de facto playout. The Bologna Warriors, who won the first leg 19-14, need only a narrow loss (by fewer than six points) to avoid automatic relegation. For the Bergamo Lions, winless and without suspended quarterback Jay Butterfield, victory by six or more is mandatory to force a playoff. Bergamo’s offense, shut out 31-0 by the Ancona Dolphins last week, faces an uphill battle against a Bologna defense eager to capitalize on their opponents’ struggles.

Torino Giaguari eye playoff berth
The Torino Giaguari (4-4) can secure third place in Group B with a win over the relegated Albisola Pirates (1-7) at Totta di Borgaretto. Torino, buoyed by the Ferrara Aquile’s recent loss, needs only to dispatch the Pirates, who have struggled with roster depth. A victory would lock the Giaguari into the postseason, while a shock upset could reignite the wild-card race.

Group A supremacy up for grabs
Sunday’s marquee matchup pits the Parma Panthers (7-2) against Group A leaders, the Ancona Dolphins (7-1), at Lanfranchi Stadium. A Parma win would create a three-way tie atop the group with the Ancona Dolphins and Legnano Frogs, decided by point differential. The Dolphins, fresh off a shutout of Bergamo, aim to clinch the top seed and a direct semifinal berth. Parma’s defense, rested after a Week 12 bye, must contain Ancona’s balanced attack to keep their title hopes alive.

Last-gasp playoff hopes in Ferrara
The Ferrara Aquile (3-5) host the Lazio Marines (3-5) at Mike Wyatt Stadium in a duel of fading wild-card contenders. Both teams need wins and a Giaguari loss to stay alive. The Aquile, reeling from two straight losses, rely on veteran leadership, while the Marines ride momentum from recent wins. With playoff dreams hanging by a thread, expect a gritty, high-stakes battle.

Undefeated Firenze Guelfi eye perfection
Group B leaders the Firenze Guelfi (9-0) travel to Torino next week chasing a perfect regular season. Their dominance has overshadowed the scramble beneath them, but the semifinal picture remains fluid.

As the regular season climaxes, teams face defining moments: glory for some, heartbreak for others. From survival scraps to title pursuits, this weekend sets the stage for a postseason brimming with stakes.