The Bergamo Lions (Italy) held off the final charge of the Hamburg Blue Devils (D) to win Eurobowl XIV 42 – 20.
The game was full with spectacular plays, and a total of 774 yards on offense. Bergamo 401 yards vs. Hamburg 373.
Some thirteen thousand spectators witnessed the Fourteenth Eurobowl Final, not a record crowd for the event, but with different events on in Hamburg the same day and the England vs. Germany soccer match on, a good American football fan hungry crowd still turned out to witness the game.
The scoring got started by Hamburg after both teams turned the ball over on fumbles, and one could see the game would be one of many surprises. Hamburg had capitalized on the fumble by Lions RB Tyrone Rush to score on a run by Blue Devils QB Mike Wyatt. However, Rush wanting to make up for his earlier mistake- ran in his first TD of day, which stunned the Hamburg defense.
QB Wyatt started a long drive after the ensuing return to connect with WR Patrick Gerigk on a 77-yard TD Pass. The conversion to WR Max von Garnier put the lead to 14 – 7 to finish the 1st Quarter. That would be the next to last score by Hamburg and the only time they remained in the lead for the rest of the game.
The Bergamo Defensive and Special teams units became the shining light for the day to set up Lions offensive stars, QB Dino Bucciol (QB-rating 158.13) and RB Rush’s superb offensive antics, with key plays by Lions players Polizzi, Suarez, Uribe, Donnini, Antonaglia and Pazak. The former (Pazak) returning a 40-yard interception just before the halftime.
Bergamo showed their dominance for the rest of the second quarter by using up most of the rest of the clock on a 15 play offensive drive resulting in the third TD of the day by Rush. The extra point was blocked by Hamburg and almost ran back by Blue Devils defensive standout LB Jan Wohlers, but he was dropped short of the goal line.
Hamburg’s only chance to put some points on the clock before the expiration were destroyed as QB Wyatt was picked off for the second time. Bergamo ran out the clock this time for a comfortable 28 – 14 lead.
The Blue Devils team came out fired up for the second half but could only manage one TD in the 3rd Quarter to a somewhat surprised crowd. The play calling for the German side at times seemed unbalanced and lack-luster for an experienced team like the Blue Devils. By the end of the period, Hamburg would only be able to go with the long ball to play catch up.
Ex-Blue Devil QB Bucciol made sure to keep his new team in the drivers’ seat to add the final scoring points with a 6-yard TD run. The beloved Italian/Canadian player received a standing ovation from the majority Blue Devil crowd. Kicker Vito Lafata, who was perfect all-day kicked the extra points to cap the scoring.
Tyrone Rush was named Most Valuable Player for the Bergamo Lions carrying the ball 29 times for a total of 202 yards (Average 7 yards per carry) and 4 touchdowns. Blue Devil Wide Receiver Babak Movassaghi was named Hamburg’s MVP. He caught 8 passes for over 50+ yards on several key down situations and moved the Blue Devils toward key scoring chances.
The Lions will also play host to the Stockholm Mean Machine to decide the EFAF Champions League winner July 15th, in Milan, Italy. Bergamo, looking to continue their undefeated streak of 14 games, play their Italian National Championship post-season playoffs starting this weekend and are again favorites for the title.
Report by: R. Nehmer
For further information contact:
Russ Nehmer
Tel: +352 441202
E-mail: efda@pt.lu / russ_nehmer@hotmail.com