LIVESTREAM GERMANY: Saarland Hurricanes @ Dresden Monarchs, September 25, 15:00 CET (3 pm, 9 am ET)
The Dresden Monarchs host the Saarland Hurricanes in this highly anticipated semi-finals matchup in the German Football League.
The Monarchs return to the semifinals this season after losing in the semifinals in 2019. Across the field, the Hurricanes won their first-ever playoff game last weekend and travel to eastern Germany looking to continue their historic run.
After a season that featured a high-flying passing attack, Saarland was able to earn their first playoff victory in the club’s history thanks in large part to their smoothing defense. The Hurricanes were able to slow down Cologne’s dynamic duo of receivers and get to the quarterback often, leading to three crucial interceptions.
Saarland Hurricanes @ Dresden Monarchs, September 25, 15:00 CET (3 pm, 9 am ET) The game is being shown on Sport1 and is available only to viewers in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.
This week they’ll need another strong performance out of their defensive backfield as they line up across from a talented group of Dresden receivers. Expect former South Carolina Gamecock (NCAA D1) Chaz Elder to be involved as the SEC standout made three interceptions last week. If Elder and the Hurricanes can cause turnovers against the Monarchs, they could be celebrating in front of a stunned crowd of Monarchs fans.
Offensively, quarterback Josh Goldin leads the charge for a Hurricanes group that scored over 33 points a game this season. The former Colorado University Buffalo (NCAA D1) has connected well with another Pac-12 player in receiver Victor Wharton (California NCAA D1). Goldin’s strength, however, has been his ability to spread the ball around to a plethora of talent, involving Marvin Fuchs, Marian Menden, and even fullback Leon Helm. This week the Hurricanes offense must avoid turnovers and make some contested catches against an athletic Dresden defense. Saarland’s GFL coach of the year Christos Lambropoulos commented on his upcoming opponents:
“Dresden is a great team, they’re well coached, they’ll be explosive on offense, as they have been all year. Defensively they do as good a job of anyone in scouting and coming up with a great game plan to stifle their opponents. Just like every opponent, to have a chance to win we have to out execute them, limit turnovers and make them earn every yard. There’s no special thing that makes the difference, it’s being consistent in making routine plays.”
Dresden’s defense looks to slow down a potent Hurricanes passing attack with solid coverage of their own. Expect Swiss safety Tim Hagmann and cornerback Charles Oliver (Texas A&M NCAA D1) to contain a sure-handed group of Saarland playmakers. Linebackers AJ Wentland and Ape Kaulana (Oregon NCAA D1) are two great tacklers with the speed to stop ball carriers from sideline to sideline. Wentland commented on facing an explosive Saarland offense:
“We feel as if this is going to be a good test for our defense, Saarland has a very good offense with a good quarterback and good athletes all around. They play with intensity and emotion as well. As long as we play discipline football and focus on winning our one on one matchups in all three phases of the game, we will have a desirable outcome.”
As good as the Monarchs defense can be, Dresden’s strength is undoubtedly their offense. Quarterback KJ Carta-Samuels (Colorado State NCAA D1) orchestrates this offense to the tune of 44 points a game. The league’s leading passer has put up 3,556 yards and 50 touchdowns this season, often finding German Robin Wilzek, Czech talent Radim Kalous, and former Michigan State Spartan (NCAA D1) Darrell Stewart Jr.
On the ground, the Monarchs will utilize former Arkansas Razorback (NCAA D1) tailback Devwah Whaley. Last week the dual-passport ball carrier put up two touchdowns and 87 yards in the Monarchs blowout win. If the Whaley can keep the Hurricanes defense looking to defend the run, expect Dresden to light up the scoreboard through the air.
Both teams are ready to punch their ticket to the German Bowl. The Monarchs are eager to return to the title game for the first time since 2013. On the opposite sideline, Saarland aims to continue making history on the tail end of a Cinderella season.
Watch the game live here: LIVESTREAM GERMANY: Saarland Hurricanes @ Dresden Monarchs, September 25, 15:00 CET (3 pm, 9 am ET) The game is being shown on Sport1 and is available only to viewers in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.
