THIS GIVEN SUNDAY — AFLE WK5: BERLIN MAKE NOISE IN DEFEAT
The American Football League Europe produced a thrilling weekend of action as it moved through its fifth round of games, with only Vienna’s blowout of London devoid of tension. As the Vikings move on to a certain playoff spot, the rest of the postseason could yet be up for grabs.
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Berlin Thunder 36 @ 45 Rhein Fire
Rhein Fire arrived at the German derby as overwhelming favourites, but Berlin Thunder produced arguably their most complete performance of the season before eventually falling 45-36 in a shootout that remained in the balance until the closing minutes.
Having shown signs of life in the second half against Panthers Wrocław a week earlier, Berlin unveiled a much-improved offense built around a more effective running game. The Thunder amassed nearly 500 yards and repeatedly matched Fire score-for-score in a contest where neither defense was able to establish control.
Rhein’s aerial attack struck first and often. Receivers Kaylon Geiger and Harlan Kwofie both topped 125 receiving yards as the hosts stretched the field, while running back Jonathan Scott became increasingly influential as the game wore on.
Berlin quarterback Jakeb Sullivan, meanwhile, was outstanding and directed a balanced offense with poise throughout. His only major mistake, however, proved costly. An interception at a critical moment handed Rhein Fire excellent field position, while seven penalties further undermined the visitors’ efforts.
Even so, Thunder refused to go away. With a couple of minutes remaining, the margin stood at only two points before Scott delivered the decisive blow, plunging into the end zone to finally put the game beyond reach.
Although the defeat dropped Berlin to 1-4, the performance offered evidence that they may be far more competitive than their record suggests heading into a Week 6 bye. Rhein, meanwhile, maintained their hold on the North/West Conference and will travel to face the Alpine Rams carrying significant momentum.
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Paris Lights 23 @ 22 Alpine Rams
Had it not been for Berlin’s surprise showing, the headline story of the weekend would have belonged to Paris Lights, who edged the Alpine Rams 23-22 in a fiercely contested ‘Battle of the Border’ — as the game was being nicknamed by the league — that was not decided until the final seven seconds.
From the opening series, both teams traded blows in a physical contest that rarely allowed either side to establish control. Paris struck first through tight end Jens Walter, before quarterback Evan Hillock and running back Armand Soulerot combined effectively on the ground, allowing the Frenchman to eventually punch in a rushing score to give the Lights the advantage. For the Rams, meanwhile, former NFL tight end Jared Scott made an immediate impact on his debut, finding the end zone in the first quarter, while Alpine’s special teams unit produced some of the most spectacular moments of the day.
Brayan Carbonell blocked a Boris Bede punt, with Nickson Massa recovering and returning it for a touchdown. Another blocked kick appeared to have produced additional points before the break, only for the officials to wipe the return off the board. That allowed the game to swing again after half-time when Paris defensive end Valentin Gnahoua intercepted a Seth Morgan pass and returned it 29 yards for a touchdown, handing momentum back to the visitors.
The Lights defence then produced perhaps its biggest moment near the goal line. A fourth-down stop prevented the Rams from scoring, with Italian linebacker Tiberio Calbucci repeatedly penetrating the backfield and helping shut down the Alpine running attack. Despite their efforts, the Rams could not quite maintain their first-half intensity and, with only seven seconds remaining, Bede redeemed himself by delivering the decisive kick to secure a dramatic victory.
Paris improve to 2-2 and now head into a bye week, while the Rams, who fell to another narrow defeat, face a difficult assignment against Rhein Fire in Week 6.
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Vienna Vikings 62 @ 10 London Warriors
The result many expected before kick-off materialised in London, where the Vienna Vikings improved to 5-0 with a commanding 62-10 victory over the Warriors.
To their credit, London made a promising start. A 12-play opening drive consumed nearly five minutes and demonstrated the type of methodical offense they are capable of producing when everything clicks. Unfortunately for the hosts, however, things quickly unravelled.
Poor tackling and costly turnovers invited the Vikings to seize control, and Vienna took full advantage. A punt return touchdown, a pick-six and another interception return created easy points and effectively settled the contest before half-time. Quarterback Ben Holmes enjoyed one of his quietest afternoons of the campaign, throwing for 203 yards and four touchdowns before being rested at the interval. Back-up Nico Hrouda ensured there was no let-up in the assault, the reserve quarterback posting a perfect passer rating and adding three touchdown passes of his own as the Vikings continued to pile on points.
The emphatic victory preserved Vienna’s status as the league’s lone unbeaten side and sends them into the bye week with confidence high. For London, now 1-4, the break comes at an ideal time. Despite another heavy defeat, however, the Warriors still showed flashes of possibility, but will to regroup before the second half of the season.
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With Panthers Wrocław enjoying their own bye week, Vienna’s lead over the Polish side in the South/East Conference stretched to two games, with Berlin still only a game back of the Panthers, but having played a game more. Firenze Red Lions, on a weekend off, will resume still looking for their first win. Over in the North/West standings, Rhein hold a slender advantage over Paris, with the Rams and Warriors both sitting on a single win, but with the Swiss side looking more competitive at this juncture.
Image courtesy Berlin Thunder/Maksim Stamenic