DOLPHINS ANCONA
After losing four consecutive Italian Bowls—each time at the hands of the Bergamo Lions—from 2001 to 2004, and reaching the semifinals three years in a row in recent seasons, the Dolphins Ancona are giving it another shot, this time entering the playoffs as one of the title favorites. They earned their “contender” status throughout the season, which began with a narrow loss on the road to the Frogs Legnano but continued with a Rossini-like crescendo of nine consecutive wins. The offense, led by American quarterback Blake Eaton, and the stingiest defense in Italy toppled the Warriors Bologna, Rhinos Milano, Lions Bergamo, and Panthers Parma—twice each—and also earned revenge on the Frogs with a 7-0 shutout at home at Nelson Mandela Stadium. Ancona’s football stadium will also host this year’s semifinal match against the reigning champions, the Panthers Parma, who, as noted, have already fallen twice to the team from the Marche region. Will the old saying “third time’s the charm” prove true?
FROGS LEGNANO
Back in the top division for just the second year, the Frogs Legnano are determined to relive the glory days when they won six national titles between 1984 and 1995. After a “learning season” that still exceeded all expectations with a playoff berth, the Frogs strengthened their roster over the summer, adding several Italian talents and, most importantly, Blue Team quarterback Luke Zahradka, who quickly emerged as the charismatic leader of the team. Finishing the regular season with an 8-2 record, the Frogs defeated the Giaguari Torino 28-7 in the wild card game. Facing Guelfi Firenze won’t be easy, but the Lombard squad has everything it takes to challenge the Tuscan powerhouse.
GUELFI FIRENZE
Guelfi Firenze enters the playoffs as the only unbeaten team in the league. Competing in Group B of the IFL Championship, the Tuscan squad met little resistance. They dominated the Skorpions Varese, Giaguari Torino, Aquile Ferrara, Marines Lazio, and Pirates Albisola, never winning by fewer than 17 points and averaging an impressive 49.9 points per game while allowing only 18.0. Led by Italian quarterback Andrea Fimiani—the league’s rushing leader with 1,308 yards in ten games—and supported by imports Frankie Stola, Colin Schooler, and especially Eystin Salum, the team’s ultimate all-around weapon, Firenze promises fireworks in their semifinal at the Guelfi Sport Center this Saturday against Frogs Legnano—the final hurdle. Considering the Lombard offense is also packed with firepower, a high-scoring and well-balanced battle is expected.
PANTHERS PARMA
For the second year in a row, reigning champions Panthers Parma lost three games during the regular season—a rare occurrence for the team—making their “road to Toledo” more complicated than expected. A decisive home loss to Dolphins Ancona in the final game of the regular season forced Coach Brian Michitti’s squad (who also leads the Blue Team) to earn their return trip to the States by winning all their playoff games on the road. Despite the setbacks, the Panthers have long been a model of resilience and consistency when it counts, and they proved it once again with a convincing 41-29 wild card win in Varese over the Skorpions. Their final obstacle to a third straight Italian Bowl appearance? The Dolphins Ancona—who already bested them twice this season. But the playoffs are a different story: everything that came before is erased, and in a single-elimination game, anything can happen—especially when the Panthers are on the field!
