THIS GIVEN SUNDAY — AFLE WK2: VIENNA WINS EARLY WAR
Just two weeks into the first American Football League Europe season and there has already been a game that could end up deciding the fate of the first Gold Bowl, with the Vienna Vikings emerging from a heavyweight clash against Panthers Wrocław before Rhein Fire, Paris Lights and Berlin Thunder all recorded convincing victories.
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Vienna Vikings 43 @ 23 Wrocław Panthers
The second weekend of the inaugural AFLE season may ultimately be remembered for the afternoon Panthers Wrocław proved they belong among the league’s contenders, even if the standings only show a Vienna Vikings victory.
The Vikings improved to 2-0 with a 43-23 win in Poland, but the final score scarcely reflected a contest that remained finely balanced for long stretches. In a game featuring big plays, turnovers, sacks and special teams drama, Wrocław repeatedly threatened to hand the Austrian powerhouse its first defeat of the season, only for decisive moments to came about through costly mistakes. Twice the Panthers lost a fumble, on their opening possession and later at the Vienna five-yard line, when potential momentum-shifting scores were within reach.
It was Vienna’s championship pedigree that showed in those moments. Defensive back Benjamin Straight producing forced fumbles that repeatedly halted Panthers momentum and provided the Vikings with the extra opportunities they needed to pull away in a game that also featured the first of what could be the league’s most impressive quarterback duels. Ben Holmes continued his outstanding start for Vienna, completing a 349-yard, four-touchdown performance while posting a passer rating of 148.2, while, across the field, Jameson Wang more than matched him for long periods, completing 32 of 43 passes for 354 yards and three touchdowns while adding 30 rushing yards.
While the Vikings ultimately controlled the line of scrimmage and limited Wrocław to just 64 rushing yards, the margin between the teams was far narrower than the scoreboard suggests. Vienna leaves Week 2 unbeaten and facing a marquee showdown with Rhein Fire, but the Panthers emerged from defeat having demonstrated they possess the talent to challenge the AFLE’s established favourites throughout the season.
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London Warriors 7 @ 43 Rhein Fire
Having sat out the league’s opening week, Rhein Fire moved to 1-0 in emphatic fashion with a 43-7 victory over London Warriors.
The British side briefly threatened to make a game of it after stopping Rhein Fire on downs at the goal line, but the momentum swung decisively when linebacker Marius Kensy recorded a safety. Kensy also added an interception, pass breakup, tackle for loss and nine total tackles in a dominant all-round display while, on offense, Jonathan Scott powered the ground game as quarterback Kenji Bahar connected repeatedly with Harlan Kwofie and Kaylon Geiger Sr.
London’s lone touchdown arrived late when Karé Lyles found Joe Hamilton after four costly turnovers had already put the game beyond reach.
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Firenze Red Lions 7 @ 30 Paris Lights
The weekend began with a clash of newcomers, as the Paris Lights overcome an early deficit to defeat Firenze Red Lions 30-7 in the French capital.
Matthew McKay’s rushing touchdown gave Firenze an early lead, but a lengthy stoppage following a serious-looking injury to defensive back Szabolcs Szöllösi changed the complexion of the game.
Paris responded with 30 unanswered points as quarterback Evan Hillock threw for 256 yards and three touchdowns, two of them to Tristen Wallace, who eclipsed 100 receiving yards and scored twice.
The Lights defence simultaneously shut down Firenze’s running game and increased pressure on McKay as the contest wore on.
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Berlin Thunder 24 @ 14 Alpine Rams
Berlin claimed their first victory of the season by defeating Alpine Rams in a game delayed by more than two hours from its original kickoff time.
Coming off a comprehensive opening week defeat against Vienna, a penalty-filled first quarter was the last thing Thunder fans would have wanted to see from their team, but the errors eventually gave way to a far more efficient second stanza as Berlin scored 17 unanswered points behind Jakeb Sullivan’s three touchdown passes.
Sullivan distributed the ball to six different receivers as an improved offensive line provided far better protection than it had during the loss to Vienna.
The Rams, making their AFLE debut, saw quarterback Gabriel Cunningham keep his side competitive with two rushing touchdowns, but Berlin’s superiority on third down and greater composure in key situations secured the result.
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After two weeks, Vienna, as expected, remain undefeated and atop the standings, having established themselves as the early pacesetters, while Wrocław’s performance against the Vikings suggests Dave Likins’ side may yet prove capable of challenging the league’s established powers. The Vikings now face what could be their toughest test yet when Rhein Fire visit in Week 3, while Wrocław visit Paris seeking a second win of the season. The third of three Saturday games sees Berlin travelling to Italy to take on the Red Lions, while the Rams visit the Warriors on Sunday as both teams seek their first win.
Image courtesy Panthers Wroclaw/Lukasz Skwiot