LIVESTREAM Germany PPV: Hildesheim Invaders @ Berlin Rebels, Sept. 6, 15:00 CET (3 pm, 9 am ET)

The Berlin Rebels (2-9) close out their season at home Sunday against the playoff-bound Hildesheim Invaders (8-3) as the German Football League regular season finally comes to an end at Mommsen Stadium.

The makeup game was originally scheduled for late June but was postponed because of extreme heat. The circumstances have changed considerably since then. Hildesheim has already locked up third place in the GFL North and will travel to face the Pforzheim Wilddogs in the quarterfinals, while the Rebels will finish last in the North regardless of Sunday’s result.

Invaders have playoffs on their minds

For the Invaders, the finale offers one last chance to sharpen things up before the postseason.

They already know what worked against Berlin the first time around. Hildesheim beat the Rebels 26-2 at Helios Homefield, breaking open a game that remained 6-0 at halftime.

Watch live PPV. Hildesheim Invaders @ Berlin Rebels, Sept. 6, 15:00 CET (3 pm, 9 am ET)

Jeremie Kwanzambi Beni powered the ground game with 101 yards on 15 carries, while Karon Johnson ran for 53 yards and two touchdowns and also threw a touchdown pass.

Nelson Hughes III completed 20 of 26 passes for 131 yards and a score, with Paul Terjung hauling in 11 passes for 88 yards and two touchdowns.

The defense did the rest. The Invaders held Berlin to 144 total yards and just 18 on the ground while intercepting Tyquell Fields twice.

Berlin gets one last shot

The Rebels have little left to play for in the standings, but they can still make their final appearance at Mommsen Stadium count.

Their defense kept the first meeting close for much of the afternoon before Hildesheim finally pulled away. The problem was an offense that never found the end zone.

Fields completed nine of 17 passes for 116 yards, while Nazar Bombata was held to 22 yards on 11 carries.

The Rebels also let another opportunity slip away last week. After building a 20-0 lead against the Braunschweig Lions, they surrendered 20 second-half points and eventually lost.

One final tune-up

There is no postseason pressure on Berlin, which will avoid the playdowns after the Allgäu Comets declined to contest the relegation series.

For Hildesheim, Sunday’s stakes are different. The Invaders don’t need the victory to reach the playoffs, but they do need to leave Berlin healthy and playing good football before the trip to Pforzheim.

The first meeting showed what the Invaders can do when their defense takes control. Now they get one final regular-season test before the games become win-or-go-home.