LIVESTREAM GFL Semifinal: Potsdam Royals @ Schwäbisch Hall Unicorns, Sept. 19, 16:00 CET (4 pm, 10 am ET)
The unbeaten Schwäbisch Hall Unicorns (13-0) host the defending champion Potsdam Royals (12-1) Saturday at OPTIMA Sportpark in Schwäbisch Hall, with one heavyweight headed to the GFL Bowl and the other headed home.
The German Football League semifinal matches two teams that combined for just one regular-season loss. Schwäbisch Hall went 12-0 and claimed the South title, while Potsdam finished 11-1 in the North before both survived very different quarterfinal tests.
Unicorns survive a scare
The Unicorns had to fight to the final minutes to put away the Düsseldorf Panther 23-20.
Special teams struck first when Jordan Toles took a blocked field goal back 96 yards for a touchdown. Julius Klenk later found Rayjuon Pringle for a four-yard score, Timo Bronn drilled a 41-yard field goal and Kelley Joiner burst 32 yards for a touchdown as Hall built a 23-7 lead.
But Düsseldorf came charging back with 13 fourth-quarter points and pulled within three with 1:56 remaining. The Unicorns finally slammed the door by recovering the ensuing onside kick.
Watch live PPV: Potsdam Royals @ Schwäbisch Hall Unicorns, Sept. 19, 16:00 CET (4 pm, 10 am ET)
Joiner was the engine on the ground, rushing 19 times for 191 yards as Schwäbisch Hall piled up 309 rushing yards.
Potsdam pulls away from Ravensburg
The Royals also had to work before taking control of their quarterfinal against the Ravensburg Razorbacks.
Potsdam tore through the Ravensburg defense for 516 yards in a 48-21 victory, with quarterback Hugh “Bay” Harvey completing 20 of 34 passes for 277 yards and four touchdowns. Chrisman Kyei carried 19 times for 145 yards and a score.
The Royals defense tightened the screws as the game went along, holding Ravensburg to 175 total yards and minus-19 rushing yards. The Razorbacks failed on all 10 of their third-down attempts.
Hall brings balance
Stopping Joiner will be one of Potsdam’s first priorities, but the Unicorns can attack in other ways.
Klenk has taken on an increasingly important role at quarterback following the injury to Lars Heidrich. Pringle gives him a dangerous target outside, while the defense showed against Düsseldorf that it can change a game with pressure and turnovers.
Noah Lorieri, Nicolas Hühnergarth and Daniel Bartmann all recorded sacks in the quarterfinal, while Monteze Latimore forced a fumble.
Royals have weapons everywhere
Potsdam brings plenty of its own firepower. Harvey can spread the ball among Milan Spiller, Key’Shawn Smith and Corey Jeeves, while Kyei, Heiko Bals and Peter Martin give the Royals options on the ground.
That balance will be critical against a Hall defense that wants to dictate down and distance rather than allow Harvey access to the entire playbook.
The reward could hardly be bigger. Saturday’s winner advances to the GFL Bowl on October 3 in Dresden.
After 13 games, it comes down to four quarters: win Saturday and play for the German championship.
Watch live PPV: Potsdam Royals @ Schwäbisch Hall Unicorns, Sept. 19, 16:00 CET (4 pm, 10 am ET)
