Team Poland hosts Russia in their second friendly in a month this afternoon in Lublin, Poland. For Poland, this game is important as they are preparing to face the Czech Republic in an IFAF Europe Group B qualifier October 11. Russia also needs this game as it will be their only tuneup before playing Norway October 10 in their qualifying game for Group B.
Sebastian Krzysztofek
Poland’s head coach Bradley Arbon heads into this game fresh off a 27-20 win over the Belgian Barbarians a month ago. Quarterback Bartek Dziedzic will likely start after a solid showing against Belgium. He will have wide receivers Tomasz Ochnio as well as the leading receiver against Belgium Patryck Matkowski who had three catches for 87 yards and two touchdowns versus the Barbarians. Ochnio caught four passes for 63 yards and a score in that game.
Sebastian Krzysztofek will likely start at running back after an excellent game against Belgium. On defense, Poland looks to defensive lineman Arek Cieśloka who was a key factor for the Gdynia Seahawks in capturing the 2015 Polish title.
Russian head coach Vasiliy Dobriakow leads his team into their first game since losing to Holland and Switzerland in the Group C tournament in 2012.
Viktor But
Russia enters the game with a roster built around a junior team that won the Junior European Championships a few years ago.
Quarterback Anton Bagautdinov from the Russian champions St. Petersburg Griffins will likely start. His teammate from the Griffins, running back Andrei Mansurov will probably start as well.
One of the finest receivers in Russia is Viktor But from the Moscow Patriots and he will make it tough on the Polish defense.