Mon.-Tues., June 26-27, 2023
We focus today on the Wonderful World of the Federazione Italians di American Football (FIDAF) and their ability to make thought provoking decisions.
To review, last Saturday in FIDAF's CIF-9 (DIII) Northern Conference Championship Game between the visiting Brescia Bengals and the Castelfranco Cavaliers, a weird set of circumstances unfolded.
Brescia Bengals
7 Wins - 0 Losses
2023 Results
Bengals 61 - Monza Brianza Hammers (1-5) 0
Bengals 56 - Milano Rams (6-2) 21
Bengals 54 - Varese Gorillas (0-6) 7
Bengals 42 - Cagliari Crusaders (3-3) 36
Bengals 62 - Varese Gorillas (0-6) 0
Bengals 52 - Monza Brianza Hammers (1-5) 8
*Bengals 28 - Busto Arsizio Blue Storm (7-1) 24
*CIF-9 Northern Conference Semi-Final Game
The high scoring Bengals had to drive about 160km/100 miles East into the Veneto region to play the game.
Castelfranco Cavaliers
7 Wins - 0 Losses
2023 Results
Cavaliers 23 - Basiliano Leoni (3-4) 7
Cavaliers 13 - Trento Thunders (4-3) 9
Cavaliers 35 - Bolzano Giants (2-4) 6
Cavaliers 34 - Isonzo Sentinels (2-4) 21
Cavaliers 41 - Trieste Muli (1-5) 6
Cavaliers 42 - Basiliano Leoni (3-4) 7
*Cavaliers 43 - Milano Rams (6-2) 21
*CIF-9 Northern Conference Semi-Final Game
This looked to be a really competitive game for the Northern Conference Championship.
These same two clubs were undefeated when they met in the 2022 Northern Conference Championship Game with the Bengals (8-1) beating the Cavaliers (6-1), 31-24.
The Bengals suffered their only loss of the season in the Nine Bowl three weeks later to the Southern Conference Champion Romagna Roosters by a final tally of 42-35.
As to Saturday's events, in the First Quarter, with the score 0-0, two players were injured and needed to be taken to the hospital via the mandatory ambulance that must be on hand at all Italian games regardless of the level of play.
FIDAF rules state that when this type of situation occurs, the game must be halted until the ambulance returns. FIDAF further states that if the ambulance does not return within 45 minutes, the home team forfeits the contest.
The problem on this day was that the ambulance never returned.
Clearly, by FIDAF rule, the home team Cavaliers would have to forfeit the game to the Bengals. The Cavaliers protested given the importance of the game between two 7-0 teams vying for the right to go to the National Championship Nine Bowl XXIII. Additionally, the Nine Bowl is not being played until July 7th meaning that the game could be resumed next weekend.
The game was thus referred to FIDAF's mysterious Sports Judge to adjudicate a fair, sane and impartial decision.
The decision was . . .
. . . FIDADF Rules are
SACROSANCT!
The Brescia Bengals (8-0) were awarded an 8-0 forfeit victory over the ambulanceless Castelfranco Cavaliers (7-1).
The 8-0 score is FIDAF's final score in all games that are forfeited.
The Nine Bowl XXIII is set for
Friday, July 7th in Reggio Emilia's
Stadio Mirabello at 8:30 p.m.
The now 8-0 Brescia Bengals will play our first ever EuroBall club (2008 and 2009), the 7-1 Catania Elephants.
The Silver Bowl XXIX game which is
the DII Championship Game will be
played in the same stadium at
8:30 p.m. on Saturday, July 8th
This should be a great game too, as the 9-0 Ferrera Aquile take on the also 9-0 Bergamo Lions.
The Lions played in the 2022 Silver Bowl losing to our beloved Varese Skorpions 35-21.
Meanwhile, in Switzerland . . .
Our 2012 team, the Thun Tigers
are seen here in the black jerseys
This past weekend the Tigers (7-3) played their last game of the NFLA (DI) Swiss season, at home, against the Zurich Renegades (8-2), with a 20-12 loss suffered without the services of the Tigers longtime starting QB Nicolas Leibundgut.
Nicholas was an outstanding QB with our Junior team back in 2012 and has been the Senior team's QB ever since.
The Tigers and the Renegades will
meet again in the Swiss Bowl XXXVII
Semi-Finals
On July 8th, the #1 seeded Calanda Broncos (9-1) will host the #4 seeded Geneva Seahawks (5-5) in one Semi-Final game while the #3 seeded Thun Tigers (7-3) will travel cross country to again play the #2 seeded Zurich Renegades (8-2).
If the Tigers can get their QB back, I think that they would have a great chance to advance to the Swiss Bowl XXXVII played in the city of Grenchen on July 15th.
And then there is the Irish . . .
Team Turkey vs. the Irish Wolfhounds
This Group B contest is part of the same International Federation of American Football's (IFAF) qualifying tournament for the 2024 World Championship to be played in Germany.
Our Brasil Onças National Team is also trying to qualify for the World Championships via our Americas Tournament with Chile, Colombia and Panama in December.
Finally, a thought from the internet . . .
Absolutely, 100% . . .
TRUE!!!
No comments:
Post a Comment