The Stuttgart Surge (11-2) advanced to the European League of Football semifinals with a commanding 41-17 victory over the Madrid Bravos (8-5) at GAZi-Stadion auf der Waldau, leveraging defensive dominance and explosive second-quarter plays to seal their playoff progression.
Defensive pressure ignites momentum shift
A sluggish start saw Madrid strike first with kicker Álvaro Peñas’ 23-yard field goal, but Stuttgart’s defense quickly set the tone. Linebacker Alexander Kreß sacked Bravos quarterback Reid Sinnett on the opening drive, foreshadowing a relentless pass rush. Despite early fourth-down gambles by Madrid, the Surge stifled momentum, allowing just 3 points in the first 23 minutes.
Surge’s second-quarter explosion
Stuttgart erupted late in the first half, sparked by Daniel Pedro’s 48-yard kickoff return to set up running back Kai Hunter’s 7-yard touchdown. Quarterback Reilly Hennessey then orchestrated a 57-yard strike to receiver Louis Geyer, extending the lead to 14-3. Defensive lineman Raphael Zistler compounded Madrid’s woes, stripping Sinnett on the ensuing drive, which Hennessey converted into a 12-yard touchdown pass to Michael Harley Jr. just 22 seconds later. The Surge entered halftime with a 21-3 advantage, capitalizing on Madrid’s two turnovers.
Second-half dominance seals victory
Hennessey extended the lead to 28-3 with a 4-yard rushing touchdown early in the third quarter, while Stuttgart’s special teams added a highlight-reel score. Zistler blocked a Bravos punt, scooped by Marko Vidackovic for a 34-3 lead. Madrid’s late surge, including Sinnett’s 18-yard touchdown to Aaron Cruickshank and a 14-yard strike to Sixten Dragan, narrowed the gap to 34-17, but Geyer’s second touchdown catch sealed the 41-17 rout.
Key defensive performances and coaching praise
Zistler, named MVP, anchored a Surge defense that logged three sacks and held Madrid to 73 rushing yards. Stuttgart head coach Jordan Neuman praised his unit’s discipline: “Our defense controlled the game. The line’s pressure disrupted their rhythm, though we must clean up penalties before facing Munich.”
Madrid’s season ends despite Sinnett’s 289 passing yards and Cruickshank’s 104 receiving yards, as the Bravos fell to 0-2 in playoff appearances. Stuttgart advances to face the Munich Ravens in a semifinal rematch of their split regular-season series, chasing a berth in the ELF Championship Game.