LIVESTREAM: France – Thonon Black Panthers @Catalans Grizzlys, Sunday, Feb. 2, 1p CET (7a ET)

The defending French champion Thonon Black Panthers will be on the road to start the 2020 season as they travel to Saint-Laurent-de-la-Salanque in the deep southeast of France to face the Catalans Grizzlys Sunday, February 2.

The Black Panthers went unbeaten in 2019 en route to winning their xx French title while the Grizzlys are making their first-ever appearance in the French Elite Division. Catalans finished second in the French Second Division thus qualifying for advancement to the top league.

The youngest team in the league, formed only eight years ago, the Grizzlys will be hard pressed to survive this year. Still, they have added beef up front in offensive linemen Rasmus Johansson from Sweden and Denmark’s Nicolas Moller-Hansen. These two will protect QB Jonny Brown, new to the team this year. 

The reigning French champions are ready to keep the trophy at home. QB Clark Evans (US MVP 2019) is back in town. To protect the house, head coach Ducousso recruited two OL, Brazilian Machado Murilo and Jan Raus from the Czech Republic. The defense will have a French Canadian accent with DB Louis Achaintre and Mimoun Rahmouni from the Concordia Stingers and Sherbrooke Vert & Or. It’s no secret the team is also aiming for a European trophy.

Thonon had by far the most explosive offense in France in 2019 averaging almost 43 points a game during the regular season. Their defense held opponents to a mere eight points a contest. They will not be letting up in this game. This is the toughest way from the Grizzlys to make their debut in the top division.

Watch the game live here. Thonon Black Panthers @Catalan Grizzlys, Sunday, Feb. 2, 1p CET (7a ET)