Raiders Tirol overwhelm Cologne Centurions in weather-delayed ELF matchup

AFI | American Football | 06/01/2025

The Raiders Tirol (2-1) dominated the Cologne Centurions (0-2) in a rain-soaked European League of Football matchup at Cologne’s Südstadion, overcoming a delayed kickoff due to thunderstorms to secure a lopsided 68-0 victory.

Platzgummer steps in at QB amid weather chaos
With starter Conor Miller sidelined by injury, captain Adrian Platzgummer shifted from running back to quarterback for Raiders Tirol. Early struggles saw both teams punt on their opening drives, but Tirol broke through with Jonatan Loria’s 36-yard field goal. Platzgummer then ignited the offense, connecting with Marco Schneider on a 52-yard touchdown pass to extend the lead to 17-0 late in the first quarter.

Photo: Raiders Tirol

Defense, turnovers fuel scoring avalanche
The Raiders defense stifled Cologne quarterbacks Jan Leuker and Keegan McCormack-Reamer, intercepting four passes. Linebacker Precious Ogbevoen’s first-quarter pick set up Tobias Bonatti’s 15-yard rushing TD, while safety Jan Mayerhofer returned a McCormack-Reamer interception 38 yards for a pick-six. Aaron Maddox and Bruno Escobar added late interceptions to halt any Centurions momentum.

Bonatti, Wiesauer spearhead ground dominance
Bonatti (1 rushing TD) and Lukas Haslwanter (1 TD) powered Tirol’s relentless rushing attack, while Platzgummer diversified the offense with two deep TD passes to JaCorey Sullivan (54 yards) and Schneider. Backup RB Jan Wiesauer capitalized in the second half, scoring three touchdowns, including a 68-yard breakaway, to cement the rout.

Special teams, miscues compound cologne’s woes
Cologne’s struggles extended to special teams, with a blocked field goal returned 75 yards by Berend Grube for Tirol’s third defensive TD. Penalties and a fumble recovery by Sebastian Huber further hampered the Centurions, who were held to under 100 total yards.

Key performers