The Thonon Black Panthers (France) are coming to Schwäbisch Hall in the OPTIMA Sportpark for the semi-finals of the Central European Football League (CEFL) next Saturday. Kickoff for the game against the local Unicorns is at 5 p.m. (admission 3:30 p.m.). In the pregame show from 4:30 p.m., players from the Unicorns Women will be among the guests and the halftime raffle will be explained.
The Schwäbisch Hall Unicorns are expecting the Thonon Black Panthers, the French runner-up of the 2022 season, for the semi-finals of the CEFL at OPTIMA Sportpark on Saturday. Unlike the Unicorns, the still undefeated Panthers are already in the middle of the season. “They have already played many games, which is why we can count on a well-rehearsed team,” agree head coach Christian Rothe and his two coordinators Felix Brenner (offense) and Mike Freckmann (defense).
Only in the first leg against last year’s CEFL semi-final opponents the Unicorns (35:21) and French champion 2022 La Courneuve Flash did Thonon lose points in the championship due to a draw. The other nine games of the season, including the second leg against La Courneuve, were won impressively in some cases. With reference to the results of the French league, the unicorns have to be prepared for a consistent defensive, as the French have never allowed more than 15 points.
In addition to this strong defense, the offense of the French runner-up also shows a lot of variability. Mike Freckmann is certain that their quarterback in particular will demand everything the Einhorns defend at the weekend: “In José Tabora, the Panthers are relying on an American playmaker who likes to run himself, but also has strengths in passing.”
The French have already shown in the previous rounds of the CEFL that they can compete in Europe and win tight games. The Calanda Broncos (Switzerland) defeated them away with 35:38 and also in the quarterfinals in Florence (Italy) the Black Panthers kept the upper hand with a strong third quarter (14:27). So it’s no wonder that head coach Larry Legault is also looking forward to the away game in the Kocher city: “We can hardly wait to play against one of the best US football programs in Europe!”
After a heart-stopping final against the Stockholm Mean Machines (Sweden) and the first home defeat in nine years against the Potsdam Royals in the ERIMA GFL, according to Felix Brenner, “the next showdown will continue, which will demand everything from the team.” However, they have to doing without important regular players, because unlike in the German league operation, the Hallers in the CEFL are only allowed to fall back on a maximum of three players with college experience.
The Kids Club also offers some hands-on activities for the little guests in the OPTIMA Sportpark during the game. In addition to the competition, there will be an interview with the Unicorns’ longtime quarterback Andreas Weis at half-time. He will answer questions on June 17th on behalf of the organizational team of the Homecoming Games.
Should the Unicorns decide the game in their favor on Saturday, the winner of the second semi-final between La Courneuve Flash (France) and the Parma Panthers (Italy) will be waiting for the team three weeks later on 24.06.23 in the CEFL Bowl. The venue for the final has not yet been determined.
Ticket sales for the semifinals on Saturday have already started. As always, tickets can be purchased online on the Unicorns’ homepage.
You can watch the free, international live stream of the game with English commentary on the Unicorns channel Internet platform Sportdeutschland.TV see.
~Press release Schwäbisch Hall Unicorns / Felix Streicher
2023-06-01 06:32:43
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