The Munich Ravens (9-1) face the Frankfurt Galaxy (4-6) Saturday at PSD Bank Arena in Frankfurt in the first European Football Alliance semifinal, with the winner earning a trip to the championship game in Innsbruck.
The Ravens swept both regular-season meetings and enter as the higher seed, but the Galaxy have one important advantage: the EFA semifinal will be played in their home stadium.
Ravens return to full strength
Munich opened the inaugural EFA season with nine straight victories before suffering its only loss, 55-7 to the Nordic Storm, in the regular-season finale.
That result came with head coach Kendral Ellison resting numerous key players. Quarterback Russell Tabor, receiver Louis Geyer and running back Justus Seelig were among those who did not play.
With everything now on the line, the Ravens can turn back to the lineup that carried them through their 9-0 start.
Munich ground game poses major challenge
Tabor leads an offense that can attack in several ways, but the Galaxy will also have to deal with a deep Munich backfield.
Seelig, Benedikt Pohler and Justin Rodney give the Ravens multiple options on the ground and could play a major role in determining whether Frankfurt can keep the game within reach.
Munich has already shown it can handle the Galaxy, beating Frankfurt twice during the regular season, 45-26 and 38-5.
Calzada gives Galaxy a lift
Frankfurt enters the postseason with some momentum after beating the Prague Lions 37-34 to secure third place.
Quarterback Zach Calzada threw three touchdown passes without a turnover in his second EFA appearance.
The Galaxy also got a 100-yard kickoff return touchdown from Ahsan Moore, while Ryan Rimmler connected on a 62-yard field goal.
Those kinds of impact plays could be crucial against a Munich team that has already beaten Frankfurt convincingly twice.
Frankfurt gets home-field opportunity
Despite being the lower seed, the Galaxy will play the semifinal at home, giving Frankfurt an opportunity to turn PSD Bank Arena into an advantage.
For the Ravens, the assignment is straightforward. Their 9-1 regular season put them in this position, but none of that matters once the ball is kicked off Saturday.
Win, and Munich heads to Innsbruck. Lose, and one of the EFA’s strongest inaugural seasons ends one game short of the championship.