Rams @ Warriors was the first AFLE game that genuinely had me hooked.
Since the start of the European season I have been sceptical over the competition and on field product in the AFLE. When I looked at the teams in the league I could not help but think "where will the excitement come from?". However yesterday I was sucked into what felt like a real game of football.
Now first of all the refereeing was not good, but as much as I can say that, how many times do fans complain about refereeing in the NFL and even Bundesliga/Premier League? Despite this it felt like 2 teams that desperately did not want to lose. London could go into the Florence home game 1-2 with a chance to go 2-2! Alpine could go into a Vienna bloodbath 1-1 but still leave Vienna 1-2 which is still good!
London going up 2 scores in the 1st quarter felt big, and I thought they would run away with it. Especially as the Rams had QB that had only been there a few days. But then the Rams come back and by the 4th go up 2 scores, everyone thinks the game is done! But then a blocked punt by London shifts the momentum.
4 attempts at a 2point conversion is ridiculous, but it increased the tension for me as a fan. Watching online I was on the edge of my seat and for a moment I was thinking "this game is going to overtime". This is what I want as a fan. I want jeopardy in a league. I want to feel like these players and coaches are desperate to win and not to lose. This is where I actually am starting to like the dynamic of these new franchises, because they are all desperate to impress and stay around. No one wants to be the next Helvetic or Fehervar.
I don't want to compare as that's what we do all this season, but I will say the EFA still has the better roster of teams though yesterday the AFLE showed some nice cinema. There is exciting storylines with these new franchises, and I'm now excited to see London vs Florence this week and Berlin vs Panthers should also be very exciting. Gg AFLE!