Paris Musketeers – Berlin Thunder: 35-27
The Paris Musketeers won their 5th victory of their ELF season against the Berlin Thunder. After a dream first half, Marc Mattioli's men gave themselves a scare in the second half, leaving the Germans with some regrets, weighed down in particular by their special teams.
Rémi Bertellin – Hugo Tekedam, winning duo
As in previous home games this season, the opening series opens with a touchdown for the home team. Rémi Bertelin (1/1, 4 yards, TD – 4 REC, 42 yards, TD) catches a pass from Zach Edwards (15/26, 182 yards, 3 TDs, INT) then turns quarterback to find tight end Kevin Mwamba. If Bertelin is the man who can do everything, what can we say about Hugo Tekedam (5 REC, 106 yards, 2 TDs).
The receiver turns into a yard-after-reception machine. With 2 almost similar touchdowns where he beats his opponent each time, Tekedam is also one of the men of this first period. Opposite, the Thunder attack is blocked, notably thanks to a disciplined defense of the Musketeers. Thunder quarterback Jakeb Sullivan (17/32, 206 yards, 3 TDs) does not find the solutions to the pass, and the ground game does not do any better.
The Thunder rebels
A new touchdown run by Zach Edwards allows the Musketeers to drive the nail in the coffin. At 35-0, Paris is heading towards an easy victory. That was without counting on the Thunder's comeback, particularly through its quarterback.
More concise, more unpredictable, Johnny Schmuck's players will take advantage of a drop in form by the Parisian team to score their first points. The defense is punished by receiver Aaron Jackson (5 REC, 85 yards, TD), then the attack commits a fumble in its own half of the field. The consequence is fatal. Very visible, the runner Albert Wiesigstrauc (7 carries, 69 yards, TD – 2 REC, 46 yards, TD) will be the face of the Berlin rebellion, notably scoring a touchdown on a 59-yard run on a feint by tush push.
Paris can't do it anymore, they commit mistakes, but Berlin leaves energy. It is therefore logical that the Paris defense finishes the job with a sack from defensive tackle Mamadou Sy.
Other ELF matches
- Prague Lions – Féhévar Enthroners: 6-38
- Frankfurt Falaxy – Cologne Centurions: 28-35
- Vienna Vikings – Helvetic Mercenaries: 49-40
- Barcelona Dragons – Madrid Bravos: 0-54
- Hamburg Sea Devils – Rhein Fire: 23-61
- Raiders Tirol – Stuttgart Surge: 25-30
Ranking and next meeting
Despite their victory, the Musketeers drop one place in the Western Conference, and are now 3rd. With their record of 5 wins and 1 loss, they are still in the running for the final phase. The next match for Marc Mattioli's men is a trip to the Bravos of Madrid on July 21 at 1 p.m.
The Spanish have just inflicted a 54-0 on their rivals, the Barcelona Dragons. The team is ranked 2nd in the Western Conference, just ahead of… Paris. A crucial encounter with a place in the final phase at stake.
