Dresden Monarchs before GFL Bowl: Revenge on the Potsdam Royals!

Dresden Monarchs before GFL Bowl: Revenge on the Potsdam Royals!

On Saturday, October 11th, the Rudolf Harbig Stadium in Dresden awaits an exciting duel. The Dresden Monarchs meet the Potsdam Royals in the GFL Bowl for the German American Football Championship. The Monarchs are determined to bring the title to Dresden this time after their narrow final defeat last year, in which they lost 21:27 to the Royals. Managing director Jörg Dreßler sees the chances at 50/50 as soon as the ball is kicked. This shows that the Monarchs will give everything to defeat their opponents and fulfill their dream of a championship.

But the path there was anything but easy. In the last main round game before the final, the Monarchs suffered a significant defeat 6:31 against the Potsdam Royals. That made it clear that the Royals were going into the game as favorites. The Royals' experience and strength are reflected not only in their good record in the main round, in which they didn't lose a single game and finished 12-0, but also in their triumph last year. This makes them not only the defending champions, but also the second team in the club's history to now have the opportunity to defend their title.

The role of favorites and the courage of the Monarchs

The Potsdam Royals describe themselves as highly motivated after their last meeting with the Monarchs. Quarterback Jaylon Henderson was the star in last year's finale, scoring two game-winning touchdowns. Not only did he prove his quality on the field, but he will also have to play a key role on Saturday to keep the Monarchs in check. The Royals' defense has proven to be ruthless against the Monarchs, which will put pressure on the offense.

For the Monarchs, however, missing out on the title last year is a significant motivating factor. The desire to do better this time can be felt in every player. Looking back at the championship competition, it becomes clear that as 2021 champions, the Monarchs will have to prove once again that they don't just want to shine as losing finalists, but actually want to win back the crown.

The history of American football in Germany

A brief look back at the history of American football in Germany shows that the German Football League (GFL) has been the highest league for this sport since 1999. The first teams with real tradition, such as the Frankfurter Löwen and the Düsseldorf Panthers, were already leading the league in the late 1970s. The New York Lions Braunschweig are the most successful team in the GFL with twelve championships. On the other hand, the Potsdam Royals have taken an important place in the history of German football with their title in 2023.

However, compared to the tradition of the GFL, the Monarchs also have their successes. With a championship title in 2021 and overall strong performances in the league, they are one of the GFL's series drivers. Their courage will be tested on October 11th, and it will be extremely exciting to see whether they can overcome last week's crisis and hold their nerve at the crucial moment.

It is clear that the GFL Bowl will be a highlight of the season for both teams, and fans can look forward to a thrilling duel in which the demands and passion of both teams come into focus. Who will ultimately hold the championship title in their hands? Only time will tell.