The Schwäbisch Hall Unicorns won the 43rd German Bowl final for the German American Football Championship.
The Unicorns won the German Bowl final, which was held for the 43rd time, against the Potsdam Royals 44:27 (27:13). “It’s really, really good to be champions now,” said Unicorns right guard Marlon Werthmann. For him it is the first championship title. Last year he was in the final with the Unicorns, but was beaten by the Dresden Monarchs. “I’m overwhelmed, can’t really believe it all, overjoyed. But it’s also such a feeling of relief that the work has paid off.”
20-year-old Destiny Idiahi, defensive tackle, only started playing football two years ago after playing soccer. “It’s indescribable, I never would have thought of it,” he said after winning the final. Wide receiver Pius Prosinecki added: “We lost two finals in a row. You felt in the team that everyone wanted to. We are deserved German champions.”
Open exchange of blows at the beginning
In a duel between two opponents who have been unbeaten in twelve games each so far in the course of the season, the Potsdam team, who have been represented in the highest national league GFL since 2018, started their German Bowl premiere in the starting quarter with determination and took a 13:7 lead. After that, however, the Unicorns, under the direction of quarterback Reilly Hennessey and with a strong running game, turned the match around and were up 30:13 in front until shortly before the end of the third quarter.
Fifth championship title for the Unicorns
Only then could the Royals score again and shorten to 20:30. Haller reacted immediately, pulled away to 37:20 and brought the lead in the final section relatively confidently to 44:27 over time. For the Unicorns it is the fifth title in the tenth final participation. Despite the defeat, it was the best season in the club’s history for the Royals.
