Graphic: Igor Lazarevic
The Leipzig Kings will journey all the way down to Austria right now to tackle the Tirol Raiders as each groups look to proceed their respective successful streaks within the European League of Soccer (ELF).
For the Raiders, the season started glumly. After the loss to the workforce they beat within the 2021 Austrian Bowl, the Vienna Vikings, in addition to to the Cologne Centurions, the Raiders entry into the ELF seemed badly timed.
The season began no higher for the Kings both as losses to the Wroclaw Panthers, Rhein Hearth and Hamburg Sea Devils left Leipzig with a pitiful 0-3 report; a report the workforce was hardly deserving of with such a stacked roster and wonderful head coach in Fred Armstrong.
However since their preliminary defeats, each groups have reeled off a sequence of spectacular wins. This, mixed with the shut rating strains in these first three video games, reveals two groups who’re underrepresented of their standings.
One of many main keys to the Raiders’ latest success has been quarterback Sean Shelton who has rapidly risen up the ranks and now runs the league’s best offense, averaging 387 yards per recreation.
This incremental success has been partly on account of a creating relationship between Shelton and one of many league’s high receivers, Philip Huan. The possession receiver came visiting to the Raiders from the Danube Dragons in the course of the off season and has been a nightmare for defenders since becoming a member of.
In distinction, the Kings’ success lies in its protection. The all-star protection contains names reminiscent of Aslan Zetterberg, Jan-Phillip Bombek, AJ Wentland, William James and Roedion Henrique, to call a number of; all thought of high gamers of their positions within the league.
It’s along with this, their lengthy, rangy receivers, Anthony Dabke-Wolf and Seantavius Jones, have brought about mismatches in secondaries. With the appointment of former Parma Panthers head coach Mark Mattioli, extensively thought of to be certainly one of Europe’s finest coaches, as receivers coach, the offense will little doubt make nice strides within the coming weeks.
For each the Kings and the Raiders this recreation will stand as an important tipping level within the season. The winner will doubtless make the playoffs whereas the loser might be chasing odds for the remainder of the season.
