Eastern Europe Pro League Preview
Season 2, Day 13
5/8/08
On the surface, yesterday was a rather uneventful day in Eastern Europe Pro, but as you look deep into what happened, you realize that several games were closer than they should have been and others weren't as close as they should have been. Yesterday is just another example of days that we'll forget soon, but will add to the stockpile come playoff seeding time.
Eastern Europe Pro Power Five
1. Prague Punishers - The win streak continued yesterday as the Prague Punishers defeated the Chernobyl Mutants 14-7. The game wasn't quite as close as the scoreboard makes it out to be, as the Punishers easily jumped out to a 14-0 lead early on, and were able to pretty much shut down the Chernobyl offense for the remainder of the game, until a long, yet time consuming, drive put the Mutants on the board with a touchdown. But it was too little too late as the Punishers were able to survive what many speculated to be their toughest test this season. After a convincing win like this one, it's hard to fathom just how much longer this winning streak will go.
Next Game: at Moscow Dragons
2. Washington Chairmen - Doing the top team one better, the Chairmen have extending their winning streak to twenty games after their impressive 51-7 win on the road against the Gliwice Lions. Somehow, people around the league continue to speculate about this new face, as the Chairmen have yet to hit the tough stretch of their schedule. The Chairmen look to continue to dominate and rip through the Pro League just like they did in the AAAs, while the rest of the Alpha Conference tries to crack the Chairmen's code.
Next Game: vs Team Pheonix
3. Sheboygan Chaos Theory - Somehow or another, the Sheboygan Chaos Theory were able to squeek out a win against the Minsk Koats and come into today with their undefeated record and seat in the Power Five sill intact. Minsk was able to jump out to an early lead, and just when Sheboygan was able to get back into it, Minsk was able to steal the momentum right back. But Sheboygan was able to crank it up in the fourth quarter and come out with the win. This game, while seeming unimpressive, actually speaks well for both Sheboygan's offense's and defense's ability to finish games. The only time you need to have the lead is win the fourth quarter finishes, and as long as the Chaos Theory continue to do that, they'll stay undefeated and stay an elite in the Alpha Conference.
Next Game: vs Baltic Sea Monkeys
4. Sarajevo Reapers - A businesslike 38-0 win over the Bisons Sentinals boosts the Sarajevo Reapers' record up to 5-1, and lands them a returning spot as fourth in the Power Five, the highest of the non-undefeateds. The Reapers, having already played against the Washington Chairmen and American Invaders, winning the latter, still have a few tough games left on the schedule, but it sets up in their favor as most of these games are spaced out by at least a week. Anchored by the league's best runningback, it looks as if the Sarajevo Reapers will be right here all season, just waiting for an unbeaten to slip up.
Next Game: at St. Petersburg Red Army Regulars
5. Budapest Brawlers - Some would say that a 20-0 win over the winless New Jersey Devils is a bit disappointing for the Brawlers, but seeing as they jumped out to an early lead and ran the ball and simply tried to get out unscathed after that, the Preview doesn't blame them for it. A win is a win, and the Brawlers have been doing alot of it lately. They've won their last four after a disappointing outing against Prague, including a win over the Chernobyl Mutants and a huge win over the Moscow Dragons. The Brawlers have proven that they can definitely bounce back after disappointments, but they still have alot to prove as the season goes on.
Just missing the Power Five:
Silesia Miners, Rome Gladiators, St. Petersburg Red Army Regulars
Alpha Conference Game of the Day
#4 Sarajevo Reapers at St. Petersburg Red Army Regulars
- One of the most improved teams from last season to this one, the St. Petersburg Red Army Regulars attempt to give the Reapers more than they asked for in this battle between 5-1 Alpha Conference teams. This game will end up going a long way in the playoff seedings at the end of the season, and definitely worth keeping an eye on. The fact is, the Red Army Regulars have been just as impressive this season as the Reapers have, with a win over the Kazan Golden Horde in the season opener, and their only loss coming at the hands of the undefeated Sheboygan Chaos Theory.
-- Prediction: Sarajevo Reapers 21, St. Petersburg Red Army Regulars 13
Zeta Conference Game of the Day
Novosibirsk Grey Wolves at Silesia Miners
- This is definitely one of the more compelling games of tomorrow's action, as the much improved 4-2 Grey Wolves take on the 5-1 and defending AAA Zeta Conference champion Miners. The Grey Wolves have a good team, but haven't been able to make a splash or an impact on anyone since their win over the Moscow Dragons early in the season. This win would be a big one for them, and cement their spot as a respected team in the Zeta Conference. The Miners, on the other hand, continue to try and prove that they belong in the big leagues, as their strength of schedule so far this season has some people doubting.
-- Prediction: Novosibirsk Grey Wolves 16, Silesia Miners 24
Another day, another preview. Hope you all enjoy.
