It did not work. After a great fight, Stuttgart Surge lost to the Rhein Fire team in the final of the European League of Football. This is how the thrilling duel went.
They never gave up, overcame setbacks and gave the favorites a great fight. In the end, however, Rhein Fire celebrated – and the Stuttgart Surge players left the pitch of the Schauinsland Arena in Duisburg, exhausted and with hanging heads. After a surprisingly strong season, Stuttgart missed the crowning glory of the season. They lost 34:53 in the championship game of the European League of Football Rhein Fire. “It wasn’t meant to be,” said Suni Musa, the Surge managing director, “but the team has achieved great things this season.” And the still young European professional league has its third title holder after Frankfurt Galaxy (2021) in its third year of existence. and the Vienna Vikings (2022).
The supposed superiority of the Rhein Fire had become clear long before the game. On the train, in front of the stadium, and also in the stands of the arena in Duisburg, the fans of the Düsseldorf team were clearly in the majority. No wonder, as the team plays all of its home games in the MSV Duisburg stadium. And a look at the events from the previous day clearly spoke in favor of Rhein Fire.
There were nine Düsseldorf players in the ELF all-star team chosen before the final. Jim Tomsula was voted head coach of the year, and the most valuable player of the ELF season is also one of the teams that didn’t suffer a single defeat: Fire quarterback Jadrian Clark. And Stuttgart Surge?
Despite everything, they didn’t want to present themselves as outsiders – the Stuttgart team appeared correspondingly confident at the start of the game.
Dream start by Louis Geyer
They scored their first touchdown in just the sixth minute of this final. Louis Geyer caught the egg in the end zone, so the team picked up right where it left off in the semifinals – and surprised a seemingly overwhelming opponent. In general, Stuttgart Surge is the surprise team of the season.
In 2022, the von der Waldau team had not managed a single victory. Then Jordan Neuman hired in Stuttgart, which also encouraged other coaches and some players to move from the Schwäbisch Hall Unicorns (GFL) to Surge. The new beginning was successful – “we even exceeded our plan,” praised Musa. Because Surge not only made the hoped-for entry into the play-offs, but also a surprising victory in the semi-finals against defending champions Vienna Vikings – and a dream start in the final in front of 31,500 spectators in the sold-out Duisburg Arena. But then Rhein Fire showed its class.
A touchdown by Nate Robitaille was followed by another by Harlan Kwofie and another by Florian Eichhorn. And because the extra points were also scored, the guests were behind 6:21 in the middle of the second quarter. Uncatchable? Are you kidding me? Are you serious when you say that.
Led by quarterback Reilly Hennessy, Kai Hunter reached the end zone before the break, Paul Steigerwald also did this, a Fire pass was also intercepted, only kicker Lenny Krieg didn’t have a good day. But: Surge was back at it at the break and was only 20:24 behind. But a decisive scene took place shortly after the start of the second half.
Stuttgart Surge resists until the end
Rhein Fire started with a touchdown (Sergej Kendus), then Stuttgart’s Yannick Mayr was on his way to the next points for the Surge. He had almost reached the end zone when he was tackled by a Fire defender. The referees initially gave a touchdown, but according to the video images it was clear: Mayr had been stopped in front of the end zone – in a way that even allowed the Rhein Fire to gain possession of the ball. “It was a decisive moment,” said Neuman, “but I don’t know if it was the decisive moment.” Because his team was still undefeated.
Shortly before the end of the third quarter, Darrel Stewart caught a pass from Hennessy, Surge scored additional points – and was back up to five points. Only when Rhein Fire had managed another touchdown and Glen Toonga scored with another spectacular run into the end zone was the decision made at 28:46 five minutes before the end.
The Stuttgart team managed a touchdown (34:46), after which their belief in victory waned, Rhein Fire scored again – then Surge’s dream of the title was finally shattered. But the ambition has not gone away. “That definitely made me want more,” said Suni Musa. We want to build something and will continue working on improving tomorrow.”
2023-09-24 20:06:29
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