LIVESTREAM Spain: Barcelona Dracs @ Zaragoza Hurricanes, Jan 21, 12:00 CET (12 noon, 6 am ET)

AFI | American Football | 01/21/2024

Graphic: Igor Lazarevic

The Badalona Dracs open their 2024 Spanish League of American Football season on the road as they take the three hour bus ride to Zaragoza to face the Zaragoza Hurricanes (0-1), Sunday, January 21.

These two teams faced each other twice in 2023 with the Dracs winning both games, 13-0 and 27-21.

The Hurricanes are coming off a tough 13-12 loss last week to the L’Hospitalet Pioners. Meanwhile, Badalona, the 11 time Spanish title winners, are playing their first game of the season and will be looking to return to the podium after being eliminated in the semifinals last year and beaten in the championship game in 2022.

Zaragoza enters this game relying on a mostly Spanish roster and will be looking to key Spanish talents in wide receive Aaron David, who scored a touchdown last week, as well as Jamie Pomar and ELF veteran offensive lineman Gabriel Rodriguez. Former ELF linebacker Daniel Monfared will also help boost the Zaragoza squad.

The Dracs head into 2024 coming off of a second-place finish in Copa de Espana to the Black Demons. The Badalona club does bring back a lot of experience with Spanish quarterback Sergi Gonzalo, 2023 standout import DB Jeremiah Gutierrez, and veteran Spanish players TE Raul Cernuda, DB Jordi Rua, and LB Jordi Posito.

The biggest additions to the league perhaps are also going to be suiting up for the Dracs in All-Europe athlete Alpha Jalloh and DI running back Ra’von Bonner (Illinois & Temple). The two project to be the league’s best American imports with Jalloh’s standout resume in Europe and Bonners nearly 1,000 career rushing yards at the DI level.