Another first-round afternoon game was played in Sweden. In the capitol city the Mean Machines have welcomed a CEFL Championship newbie, Warsaw Eagles.

The locals rallied early but were then left with an empty tank in the second half, which crushed their hopes. Although scoreless in the opening period, the Poles bounced back with ferocity scoring four touchdowns in the second quarter and a couple more in the fourth.

The duel couldn’t have started better for the home team. In the first minute of the game their QB Dawson Herl linked up with Matthew Retzlaff who dashed untouched for 53 yards, 7-0.

Their defensive unit answered the call as well posting a couple of sacks and an interception by Anthony Zamorano. Hurry-up offensive plays through the air led to another score when Herl pitched it to Senay Tadesse for 13-0.

A long kickoff return by Darius Lewis put the visitors in close range and running back Bartosz Gnoza punched in to lower the score to 13-7.

Another touchdown by the visitors followed soon after when Jacob Schimenz hit up Krzysztof Nosow on the slant to take the lead, 13-14.

Their next drive was equally effective. Schimenz first connected with Kornel Witkowski for big yardage and then zipped it to Nosow for another score, 13-21.

A short punt from their own end zone made the home team’s defense play with their backs against it. Same combo, Schimenz to Nosow was good for the third time in a row, 13-27.

There was just enough time left before the recess for Herl and Retzlaff to lower the score, first with a touchdown and then a 2 point conversion, 21-27.

The last play of the half, a field goal try by the Eagles was blocked by the defense, seemingly turning the momentum back to the Mean Machines.

Both defenses were the better parts of their teams in the third period, leaving it barren. Highlight plays by the Swedish one extended in the last quarter when they forced two fumbles close to their own goal line. They picked up the first one, but the visitors kept possession of the latter, scoring from the next play over Schimentz, who ran it in for 21-33.

As the clock ticked its last seconds, Eagles’ defense answered with a fumble recovery to put their offensive teammates on the rival’s 5 yard line. Gnoza spinned his way in for the final score, 21-40.