NFLE Finishing Line in Sight

May 20, 2003 - National Football League Europa (NFLE) News Release

The thrilling battle to reach the championship game continues in Week 8 with some key matchups that could make or break the World Bowl challenges of some hopefuls.

The action begins in Spain on Saturday when the F.C. Barcelona Dragons (5-2) play host to the Frankfurt Galaxy (4-3), with the home team knowing two more wins will put them on the flight to Scotland next month.

Saturday also sees a pair of 3-4 teams go head to head as the Scottish Claymores visit the Amsterdam Admirals. Both clubs need a win to stay in the World Bowl race, while the loser of this contest will find it tough to maintain a championship challenge.

Despite being bottom of the standings, the Berlin Thunder (2-5) can still make World Bowl with three straight wins and if other results go their way. They will be out to ruin the Rhein Fire's chances when they meet their German rivals in Gelsenkirchen on Sunday.

The Dragons hold a one-game lead in the standings with three to play and head coach JACK BICKNELL feels his team's 23-20 victory in Berlin last weekend could prove to be a vital moment in their season.

Bicknell says: "That was the key point of our year. If we had come out of Berlin being 4-3, it would have been hard for us the rest of the way. But we have a much better shot at reaching the World Bowl going into the final three games at 5-2."

The Galaxy travel to Spain on the back of a heartbreaking 27-24 loss to the Amsterdam Admirals and face a tough run-in against the Dragons, Rhein Fire and Berlin Thunder.

Galaxy head coach DOUG GRABER says: "After losing to the Admirals I told the team they had a night to feel sorry for themselves and then we leave for Barcelona for a new week and a difficult week."

In Amsterdam, the Admirals and Claymores clash in a must-win game for both teams. Both Scotland and Amsterdam are a game out of second place in the standings and will likely need to win out to book a World Bowl berth.

Following his team's 33-0 destruction of the Rhein Fire, Claymores head coach GENE DAHLQUIST says: "The dream is still alive. We think we are a good enough team to win every game and see what happens."

Claymores wide receiver JOHN MINARDI adds: "We have had ups and downs but we are coming together. Now we have to put a winning streak together."

Admirals head coach BART ANDRUS saw his team claw their way back into the World Bowl race by scoring a game-winning touchdown in Frankfurt with just one second remaining (SHAUN HILL 5-yard touchdown pass to MATTHEW HATCHETTE).

Hatchette says: "We were on the brink of being out of it but we had a huge win last week. Hopefully, this will propel us to put a string of victories together. We are looking to win four in a row and get into the World Bowl."

After seeing his team shut out for the first time in 87 games, Rhein Fire head coach PETE KUHARCHEK needs to prepare his players for a closing three weeks against Berlin, Frankfurt and Barcelona.

"We're going to get ready to play hard next week because we are still in this thing and the race will go down to the wire," Kuharchek says. "We had an opportunity to put ourselves in a good position and didn't take advantage."

If his team are to reach a third World Bowl, Thunder head coach PETER VAAS will need to carry a calculator with him to work out a route to Glasgow.

Vaas says: "I need to take a close look at where each team stands but I know it will be tough for us to make World Bowl now. We have to get ready to play Rhein."

WEEK EIGHT SCHEDULE

SATURDAY MAY 24

Frankfurt Galaxy at F.C. Barcelona Dragons

Mini-Estadi, Barcelona, 5:30 p.m.

Scottish Claymores at Amsterdam Admirals

Amsterdam ArenA, Amsterdam, 7:00 p.m.

SUNDAY MAY 25

Berlin Thunder at Rhein Fire

Arena AufSchalke, Gelsenkirchen, 4:00 p.m.

PLAYERS OF THE WEEK – WEEK 7

OFFENSIVE · SHAUN HILL · QB, Amsterdam

274 passing yards and 2 touchdowns, including

game-winning TD pass with 1 second remaining

DEFENSIVE · LAMANZER WILLIAMS · DE, Berlin

10 tackles, including 2 sacks, and a forced fumble

SPECIAL TEAMS · ROBERT BAKER · WR, Frankfurt

3 punt returns for 107 yards, including 91-yard touchdown (second-longest in NFLEL history)

NATIONAL · JENS PETTERSSON · LB, Scotland

2 tackles, 1 interception, 1 pass defense

Teams gearing up for nailbiting conclusion to 2003 campaign

WITH all six teams still alive in the race to World Bowl XI in Glasgow, the 2003 season could mark the first time that neither team competing in the championship game have not been decided until the Week 10 action concludes.

In the previous five seasons, at least one team has booked its berth in World Bowl heading into the final weekend of the season.

From 1995-1997, teams leading the standings at the halfway stage of the season could relax and get healthy for the championship game as the first half leaders automatically qualified for the final.

Here is a look at when each team clinched a berth in World Bowl since 1998, when the league moved away from the split-season format.

2002 Rhein (Wk 9) Berlin (Wk 10)

2001 Barcelona (Wk 8) Berlin (Wk 10)

2000 Rhein (Wk 9) Scotland (Wk 9)

1999 Frankfurt (Wk 9) Barcelona (Wk 10)

1998 Rhein (Wk 8) Frankfurt (Wk 10)

Rhein Fire head coach PETE KUHARCHEK says: "I have said all along that the race to the World Bowl will go down to the wire. We are still in that race and we are going to need to play hard for the rest of the season."

F.C. Barcelona Dragons head coach JACK BICKNELL adds: "There is a long way to go this season. I told our team we probably need seven wins to get into World Bowl. Eight wins guarantees you a place, seven gets you in most times, six and you're pushing your luck and things can get a little scary."

The Dragons can calm their World Bowl nerves and head into Week 10 with no worries as victories in the next two weeks (at home to Frankfurt and Scotland) will guarantee them a berth in the championship game.

The outsiders in the race to World Bowl are the 2-5 Berlin Thunder, but even they are mathematically still alive and could qualify for the title game with a 5-5 record, providing they win out and a number of results around the league go their way.

Even if they fail to make the World Bowl, a much-improved Berlin team could still play the role of spoiler in the championship run-in as they face Rhein Fire, Amsterdam Admirals and Frankfurt Galaxy in the closing weeks of the season. All three of those teams still harbour hopes of being in Scotland playing for all the silver on June 14.

Burford aims to be top dog in quarterback rushing stakes

WITH three weeks of the regular season remaining, F.C. Barcelona Dragons passer SETH BURFORD is on pace to set the single season record for rushing yards by a quarterback.

Through seven games, Burford has scrambled for 254 yards and ranks tenth in the league in rushing yards.

The San Diego Chargers allocated player already ranks fifth all-time in single-season rushing yards by a quarterback and is on pace to gain 363 yards, which would surpass the previous best of 334, gained by Dragons quarterback JON KITNA in 1997.

Top QB rushers in NFLEL history (single-season)

334 yards Jon Kitna Bar 1997

287 yards Jarious Jackson Bar 2001

276 yards Dameyune Craig Sco 1999

269 yards Reggie Slack NY/NJ 1992

254 yards Seth Burford Bar 2003

Dragons head coach JACK BICKNELL says: "Seth is one of the toughest quarterbacks in the league. He can beat you and make plays with the pass, but he can also run and when he takes off he is a load. Not many people want to tackle him."

Burford has also proven to be an efficient passer in NFL Europe this season. His first interception of the year came in the fourth quarter of Week 7's victory over Berlin. His 120 pass attempts without an interception ranks fourth all-time in NFLEL history.

Fans invited to vote for stars of 2003 at NFLEurope.com

VOTING for the 2003 All-NFL Europe League team got underway this week, with fans being invited to pick their favourite players on NFL. Europe.com.

For the second year in a row, the fan poll will account for one third of the votes, with one third being made up of votes by the media and one third coming from the coaching staffs of the six NFL Europe League teams.

To vote for the top players from 2003, fans simply log on to NFLEurope.com and fill out the online ballot form. The All-NFLEL team will be announced at World Bowl Media Day in Glasgow, Scotland, on June 12.

Media voting forms will be issued this week.

Success rate slows down for teams with 100-yard rushers

A LOOK at the history books shows that teams with a 100-yard rusher traditionally fare well in NFL Europe – although not in recent weeks.

Since 1995, teams with a 100-yard rusher have gone 51-19 in NFL Europe but having a running back top the 100-yard mark has not always equated to victories this season.

Teams with a 100-yard rusher have gone 6-5 in 2003 after opening the year with a 5-1 record in the opening four weeks of the season.

In Week 7, Berlin Thunder's DAVID ALLEN (105 yards) and Frankfurt's JONAS LEWIS (113 yards) broke the 100-yard rushing barrier but their teams lost.

In Week 6, the Scottish Claymores had two running backs top the 100-yard mark (KEN SIMONTON, 132 yards, MAURICE HICKS, 100 yards, and still lost to the Frankfurt Galaxy.

Simonton also gained 108 yards for the Claymores in Week 5 but Scotland lost at home to the F.C. Barcelona Dragons.

Meanwhile, with three games to play, Simonton and Rhein Fire's AUTRY DENSON are locked in a fierce battle to win the NFL Europe League rushing title. Here's how the top two backs compare.

Att Yards Avg Long TD

Denson 101 571 5.7 30 3

Simonton 104 570 5.5 70 6

Both backs have recorded three 100-yard rushing days this season, etching their names in the NFLEL record books. Denson recorded three straight 100-yard games in Weeks 2, 3 and 4, while Simonton matched that feat with triple-digit performances in Weeks 4, 5 and 6. The achievements of Denson and Simonton matched those of Lawrence Phillips in 1999, who had three straight 100-yard rushing games for the Barcelona Dragons.

While there have been 12 100-yard rushing days in NFL Europe this season and five 100-yard receiving performances, 2003 could mark the first time there has not been a 300-yard passer.

With three weeks of the regular season remaining, the closest NFL Europe has come to having a 300-yard passer this year was in Week 5 when JAMES BROWN, of the Frankfurt Galaxy, threw for 290 yards during his team's 14-7 loss to the Rhein Fire.

Thunder star Allen smashes all-purpose yards record

BY gaining 256 all-purpose yards against the F.C. Barcelona Dragons in Week 7 (105 rushing, 12 receiving, 139 returns), Berlin Thunder running back DAVID ALLEN smashed one of the oldest records in the book.

Allen, allocated by the Jacksonville Jaguars, broke Tony Baker's record of 1,367 all-purpose yards in a single season, set by the former Frankfurt Galaxy star in 1991.

Allen smashed the record with three games still to play in 2003 and currently has 1,416 all-purpose yards.

In the first seven games of the season, Allen has rushed for 452 yards, caught 17 passes for 185 yards and added 111 yards on punt returns and 668 yards on kickoff returns.

Praising his star all-rounder, Thunder head coach PETER VAAS said: "I am really happy for David to break this old record. It is fitting and shows how hard he has worked and improved during the season.

"David Allen has been the complete back for us. Not only has he excelled as a returner, but he has improved in every area of the game. He is a productive receiver out of the backfield, he has run the ball from scrimmage very well and his pass protection has improved as the season has progressed.

"David should be very competitive in Jacksonville's camp this summer and if he takes the experience he has gained from being in Europe, I know he will open many eyes."

Cheering for the Dragons?

FANS of the Amsterdam Admirals and Scottish Claymores may well be hoping for the F.C. Barcelona Dragons to maintain their top position in the NFL Europe League standings and book a berth in World Bowl XI.

The reason is that history shows there has never been a repeat World Bowl match-up in the NFLEL's previous 10 seasons.

The Dragons, who are bidding for a record fifth World Bowl appearance, have already played Frankfurt, Rhein and Berlin (plus London) in World Bowls, so in order for the trend to be maintained, Amsterdam or Scotland would have to be their opponent in Glasgow on June 14.

The trend would also rule out a Frankfurt-Rhein title game as they met in World Bowl '98.

Fire scoring streak ends as Rhein shut out for first time

THE Rhein Fire's league-leading scoring streak – spanning 86 games (every game in franchise history) – came to an end in Scotland on Sunday when the hometown Claymores inflicted a 33-0 defeat on Pete Kuharchek's men.

In posting the season's first shut out, the Claymores now boast the league's longest-running scoring streak, having put points on the board in their last 83 contests.

Current scoring streaks of NFLEL teams:

Scotland 83

Amsterdam 58

Berlin 39

Barcelona 20

Frankfurt 8

Rhein 0

Claymores head coach GENE DAHLQUIST said: "To get a shut out is outstanding. It is not often you can do that, so it is very special."

NFLEL FACT: Ignoring the stats

IN reaching top spot in the standings, the F.C. Barcelona Dragons have defied their offensive and defensive rankings. The Dragons have the league's sixth-ranked offense and fifth-ranked defense. However, they lead the NFLEL in several key categories, including red zone offense, red zone defense, turnover ratio and points allowed.

NFLEL FACT: Dolphin friendly

FOR the second week in a row, a pair of Miami Dolphins have been awarded with Player of the Week prizes. Week 6 saw defensive end LAMANZER WILLIAMS of Berlin named Defensive Player of the Week and Rhein's KENDALL NEWSON voted Special Teams Player of the Week. This past week saw Williams repeat as Defensive Player of the Week, while Frankfurt receiver ROBERT BAKER was named Special Teams Player of the Week.

NFLEL FACT: Block master

F.C. Barcelona Dragons wide receiver SEAN MOREY is establishing himself as a key special teams player in NFL Europe and is developing a habit for blocking kicks. Morey blocked 3 kicks for the Dragons in 2001 (1 field goal, 2 punts) and blocked a punt at Berlin in Week 7 that was returned for a touchdown by Tito Rodriguez.

TEAM BY TEAM CAPSULES

AMSTERDAM ADMIRALS (3-4)Head Coach: Bart Andrus (11-16 in NFLEL)Colours: Orange and blue

OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR: Jeff Lewis (3rd season)

DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR: Larry Owens (3rd season)

ALL-TIME FRANCHISE RECORD: 45-42

MEDIA CONTACT: Perry Hendriks

Phone: 31-20-465-0550

Fax: 31-20-465-0555

E-mail: hendriksp@admirals.nl

Internet: www.admirals.nl

LAST GAME: Won 27-24 at Frankfurt (5/17/03)

OFFENSE: 20.7 pts/game; 344 yds/game (rank 2); 81.1 yds rush/game (rank 6); 262.8 yds pass/game (rank 1)

Passing: Shaun Hill, 1,470 yds

Rushing: Tellis Redmon, 206 yards

Receiving: Matthew Hatchette 45 rec, 545 yards

DEFENSE: 24 pts/game; 301.8 yds/game (rank 2); 134.7 rush yds/game (rank 5); 167.1 pass yds/game (rank 1)

Sacks: Jonathan Brown, 5.5

Interceptions: Four players, 1

· THIS WEEK: vs SCOTTISH CLAYMORES ·

Admirals play host to the Scottish Claymores at the Amsterdam ArenA, where they have a 1-2 record this season. Amsterdam will be full of confidence following a thrilling victory over Frankfurt last week. Head coach BART ANDRUS says: "That was one of the most entertaining games I have ever seen. We didn't give up hope when we went behind and we played to the very last play of the game, as we have done every week."... Quarterback SHAUN HILL (Minnesota Vikings) leads the NFLEL in pass attempts, completions and yards (see table). Earned Player of the Week for second time this season in leading Amsterdam to victory over the Galaxy with a game-winning touchdown pass with 1 second remaining last week. Hill said: "That win was huge for us because it kept us in it. We have to win every week. One down and three to go."... Quarterback DAVID PRIESTLEY faces his old team after starting the season as Scotland's third quarterback. Completed 2 of 6 passes for 35 yards last week."... Running back TELLIS REDMON (Baltimore Ravens) rushed for a team-leading 61 yards on 22 carries last week... Running back RAYMONN ADAMS (New York Jets) scored his second rushing touchdown of the season last week.... Receiver JUSTIN SKAGGS (Washington Redskins) had 3 catches for 32 yards last week, and is one of three Admirals to rank among the league's top four in receptions with 29 catches for 332 yards and 4 touchdowns... Free agent wide receiver MATTHEW HATCHETTE leads NFLEL in receptions, yards and receiving touchdowns (see table). Caught second game-winning touchdown pass of the season against Frankfurt last week. He said: "I had single coverage in the back of the end zone and Shaun threw me a great ball."... Veteran Mexican wide receiver CARLOS ROSADO caught 4 passes for 50 yards last week and leads all national players with 18 catches for 262 yards this season... Tight end KIRK MCMULLEN (Carolina Panthers) ranks second in NFLEL with 30 receptions for 203 yards and 2 touchdowns after reeling in 6 passes for 36 yards last week... Tight end RYAN COLLINS caught 3 passes for

45 yards last week... Defensive end JONATHAN BROWN recorded 1 tackle and 1 sack last week. Ranks second in NFLEL with 5.5 sacks and needs 1 more sack to move into third place all-time in the record books, surpassing Mike Sutton (16). Gunning to win NFLEL sack title for second time and would become only second player to achieve that feat if successful, matching London's Danny Lockett in 1991-92... DE MIKE CECERE (Washington Redskins) made 2 tackles and knocked down a pass last week. Has recorded 25 tackles and 4.5 sacks this season... Linebacker JOSH HOTCHKISS (New York Giants) led Admirals with 6 tackles last week and has 20 on the season... Linebacker LOUIS GREEN recorded 3 tackles and an interception last week. Ranks second on the team with 27 tackles and has knocked down a team-leading 9 passes this season... Linebacker TONY ORTIZ recorded 5 tackles and a sack last week. Faces old team in Week 8 having played for Claymores in 2001-02... Safety GLENN SUMTER (Houston Texans) recorded 5 tackles, 1 interception and 1 pass defense last week. Leads team with 33 tackles this year... Cornerback TROY GRANT recorded 5 tackles last week... Safety JORDAN YOUNGER recorded 4 tackles last week and knocked down 2 passes... Japanese linebacker RIKIYA ISHIDA led Admirals with 2 special teams tackles last week... Dutch kicker SILVIO DILIBERTO missed last week's game through injury. Still needs 9 points to become fifth player in NFLEL history with 250 career points.

F.C. BARCELONA DRAGONS (5-2)Head Coach: Jack Bicknell (59-48 inNFLEL, plus 2-4 postseason)Colours: Green, scarlet, yellow, white

OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR: Vince Martino (5th season)

DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR: Dan Daniel (2nd season)

ALL-TIME FRANCHISE RECORD: 59-48

MEDIA CONTACT: Scott Agulnek

Phone: 34-93-425-4949

Fax: 34-93-426-9618

Internet: www.dragons.es

LAST GAME: Won 23-20 at Berlin (5/17/03)

OFFENSE: 14.8 pts/game; 237.4 yds/game (rank 6); 125.7 rush yds/game (rank 3); 111.7 pass yds/game (rank 6)

Passing: Seth Burford, 732 yards

Rushing: Jeff Chaney, 273 yards

Receiving: Sean Morey, 25 rec, 269 yards

DEFENSE: 13.7 pts/game; 343.7 yds/game (rank 5); 125.7 rush yds/game (rank 4); 218 pass yds/game (rank 5)

Sacks: Kevin DeRonde, 4.0

Interceptions: Jason Waters, 3

· THIS WEEK: vs FRANKFURT GALAXY ·

Dragons head home with a one-game lead in the standings following last week's narrow victory in Berlin... Head coach JACK BICKNELL says: "We were very pleased to come out of Berlin with a key win. We have three difficult games left to play against Frankfurt, Scotland and Rhein, and we probably need to win two of those to get into the World Bowl."... SETH BURFORD (San Diego Chargers) threw his first pick of the season last week (see table) after 120 attempts without an interception (fourth-best in NFLEL history). Leads NFLEL with a 91.9 quarterback rating and has rushed for 254 yards (fifth best all-time among QBs). Burford says: "We have good players at every position on this team. We don't have a superstar player who we have to depend on. We have good players with good character and that's important." ... Quarterback CHRIS FINLEN (New Orleans Saints) failed to complete any of his 5 pass attempts in Berlin last week. Threw a touchdown pass in Week 1 loss to Frankfurt.... Running back DAMEON HUNTER (Baltimore Ravens) rushed for 49 yards last week. Scored on a 4-yard run in first meeting between the teams.... Running back JEFF CHANEY (Atlanta Falcons) is the team's leading rusher with 273 yards but was held to 10 yards on 7 carries last week... Wide receiver ZEK PARKER (Arizona Cardinals) caught 2 passes for 32 yards last week and returned 3 kickoffs for 126 yards with a long of 49.... Receiver KERWIN COOK (New Orleans Saints) caught touchdown passes of 42 and 11 yards last week while catching 3 passes for 82 yards... Wide receiver SEAN MOREY (Philadelphia Eagles) leads the team in receptions and receiving yards (see table) and blocked a punt last week. ... Mexican wide receiver MARCO MARTOS had 1 run for 2 yards last week. Caught 9 TD passes in first three seasons of NFLEL career but none in the last four... Tight end GABE CRECION has 12 receptions for 108 yards and 1 TD on the season. Caught TD pass in first meeting with Frankfurt.... Tight end MATT CERCONE caught 1 pass for 10 yards against the Thunder last week... Defensive tackle JABARI ISSA posted 2 tackles last week... Linebacker DWAYNE LEVELS (Cincinnati Bengals) had 5 tackles last week and leads team with 38 this season... Linebacker TITO RODRIGUEZ (Cincinnati Bengals) scored on a 36-yard return of a blocked punt last week and added 7 tackles. Recorded 6 tackles and forced a fumble in Week 1 loss to the Galaxy... Defensive end

JASON SHORT recorded 3 tackles and a sack last week. Led team with 7 tackles and 0.5 sacks in previous meeting with Galaxy... Defensive tackle TOBY GOLLIDAY notched 7 tackles last week... French safety SAMYR HAMOUDI is the all-time leader in interceptions among national players with 9 picks. Recorded 2 tackles last week, taking his tally in past four games against Berlin to 18 tackles, 2 interceptions and 3 pass defenses... Cornerback ANTUAN SIMMONS made 6 tackles last week... Cornerback MARCUS SMITH recorded 3 tackles last week and an interception last week. Has 26 stops on the season... Cornerback JASON WATERS (Atlanta Falcons) leads the league with 3 interceptions and added 2 tackles and 1 pass defense last week... Cornerback JASON OLFORD (Jacksonville Jaguars) has recorded 31 tackles, 6 pass defenses and 1 interception after adding 5 tackles to his tally against Berlin last week... Safety JAMES LEWIS (Detroit Lions) led the Dragons with 10 tackles last week... Veteran national kicker and former F.C. Barcelona Dragons goalkeeper JESUS ANGOY added to his all-time leading points tally by kicking 2 PATs last week, taking his total to 325... Punter NICK MURPHY (Minnesota Vikings) leads NFL Europe with a 42.1 average on a league-high 45 punts.

BERLIN THUNDER (2-5)Head Coach: Peter Vaas (18-19 inNFLEL, plus 2-0 in World Bowl)Colours: Black, green and gold

OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR: Bob Bicknell (4th season)

DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR: David Duggan (3rd season)

ALL-TIME FRANCHISE RECORD: 21-26

MEDIA CONTACT: Maik Matischak

Phone: 49-30-300-644-00

Fax: 49-30-300-644-77

E-mail: maik.matischak@berlin-thunder.de

Internet: www.berlin-thunder.de

LAST GAME: Lost 20-23 vs Barcelona (5/17/03)

OFFENSE: 22.4 pts/game; 340.4 yds/game (rank 3); 118.1 rush yds/game (rank 5); 222.3 pass yds/game (rank 3)

Passing: Phil Stambaugh, 1,092 yds

Rushing: David Allen, 452 yds

Receiving: Elijah Thurmon, 24 rec, 241 yds

DEFENSE: 32.1 pts/game; 374.1 yds/game (rank 6); 169.8 rush yds/game (rank 6); 204.3 pass yds/game (rank 3)

Sacks: Lamanzer Williams, 7.0

Interceptions: Travis Coleman, 2

· THIS WEEK: at RHEIN FIRE ·

Thunder face German rivals Rhein Fire knowing they cannot afford another slip-up this season if they are to reach World Bowl... Head coach PETER VAAS says: "It will be tough for us to make the World Bowl but we need to learn from our mistakes and get ready to face the Fire this weekend. Our guys played hard and outstanding on defense but the blocked punt and long kickoff returns killed us."... Quarterback PHIL STAMBAUGH played a whole game for the first time this season (see table). Threw for 130 yards and a touchdown in Week 2 loss to the Fire... HENRY BURRIS (Chicago Bears) remains on injured reserve with a knee injury so MIKE WATKINS serves as the backup quarterback against his old team... Running back DAVID ALLEN gained 256 all-purpose yards last week and leads the Thunder in rushing (see table). Broke league record for all-purpose yards with 1,416 and has three games still to play this season. With 668 yards on kickoff returns, Allen needs just 77 more yards to break the single season record for kick return yardage of 744 set by Frankfurt's Shawn Scales in 1999... Running back SEDRICK IRVIN (Miami Dolphins) rushed for 48 yards last week and has gained 504 total yards this season (281 rushing, 223 receiving)... Wide receiver PIERRE BROWN (Detroit Lions) caught 2 passes for 12 yards last week.... Wide receiver ELIJAH THURMON (Chicago Bears), born in Heidelberg, Germany, scored on an 80-yard touchdown catch last week and leads team with 24 receptions for 241 yards and 4 touchdowns.... National wide receiver JOERG HECKENBACH has 10 catches for 133 yards and 2 touchdowns on the season. One of those scores came in Week 2 vs. the Fire... Receiver KIRK ROGERS (Kansas City Chiefs) caught 3 passes for 51 yards last week and has 18 receptions for 200 yards on the season... Tight end BRYAN FLETCHER (Chicago Bears) has 8 catches for 51 yards and 2 touchdowns on the season but has not caught a pass in the last two weeks... Tight end CHAD HAYES had a 4-yard reception last week... Defensive end REGGIE GRIMES recorded 6 tackles against

the Dragons last week... Defensive end LAMANZER WILLIAMS (Miami Dolphins) won his second NFLEL Player of the Week award in as many weeks after his 10-tackle, 2-sack day against the Dragons. Leads NFL Europe with 7 sacks this season with 6 coming in the last two weeks against Barcelona... Defensive end RYAN WINGROVE recorded 4 tackles and a sack last week... Defensive end TETO SIMPSON recorded 3 tackles and a sack against his old team last week. Played for the Dragons in 2001 and ended that season with 7 tackles... Linebacker JAMAL WHITE (Oakland Raiders) recorded 2 tackles last week and ranks second on the team with 34 stops this season... Linebacker CHRIS BALL made 4 tackles last week... Linebacker JOSH SYMONETTE (Miami Dolphins) returned to the starting lineup after returning from injury to record 7 tackles... Cornerback TRAVIS COLEMAN (Chicago Bears) recorded 3 tackles and an interception last week while continuing to srtart at safety due to Tim Carter's absence through injury... Cornerback CALVIN COLEMAN recorded 4 tackles and forced a fumble last week... Safety CLINT FINLEY recorded 4 tackles last weekend and leads team with 36 tackles this season... German safety LELAN BRICKUS recorded 3 tackles and 1 pass defense last week and has 18 tackles on the season... German kicker AXEL KRUSE is in his fifth season and is the Thunder's all-time leading scorer with 159 points, after kicking an extra point and 3 field goals last week... J.R. JENKINS (Baltimore Ravens) kicked a four-point field goal from 50 yards last week but missed a potential game-winner from the same distance with 4:51 remaining.

FRANKFURT GALAXY (4-3)Head Coach: Doug Graber (13-14 inNFLEL)Colours: Purple, orange, red and white

OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR: Dwain Painter (3rd season)

DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR: Bob Valesente (3rd season)

ALL-TIME FRANCHISE RECORD: 56-51

MEDIA CONTACT: Joachim Haas

Phone: 49-69-978-2790

Fax: 49-69-978-279099

E-mail: joachim.haas@frankfurt-galaxy.

Internet: www.frankfurt-galaxy.de

LAST GAME: Lost 24-27 vs Amsterdam (5/17/03)

OFFENSE: 21.8 pts/game; 339.3 yds/game (rank 4); 123.4 rush yds/game (rank 4); 215.8 pass yds/game (rank 4)

Passing: James Brown 1,163 yds

Rushing: Jonas Lewis, 537 yds

Receiving: Marc Lester 29 rec, Robert Baker 408 yards

DEFENSE: 19.3 pts/game; 314.8 yds/game (rank 3); 93 rush yds/game (rank 1); 221.8 pass yds/game (rank 6)

Sacks: Joey Evans, 5

Ints: Rashidi Barnes, Calvin Spears, 3

· THIS WEEK: at F.C. BARCELONA DRAGONS ·

Galaxy head coach DOUG GRABER will need to lift his team following Frankfurt's last-second loss to Amsterdam in Week 7. Graber says: "We played hard but didn't play well enough to win and Amsterdam did. We are going to be in Barcelona for the week leading up to the Dragons game but that is not going to be a holiday, believe me.".... Quarterback JAMES BROWN continues to lead the team in passing (see table) but posted a QB rating of 16.3 while throwing for a season-low 41 yards last week... Quarterback QUINN GRAY (Jacksonville Jaguars) has thrown 5 touchdown passes in the last two games, after coming off the bench to complete 8 of 22 attempts for 119 yards and 2 scores last week.... Running back JONAS LEWIS leads the Galaxy in rushing yards and enjoyed his second 100-yard day of the season last week. Scored seventh touchdown of season last week (see table). Scored in Frankfurt's Week 1 defeat of the Dragons... Running back ROBERT GILLESPIE (Washington Redskins) gained 11 yards on 2 carries last week and caught an 18-yard pass.... Wide receiver ROBERT BAKER (Miami Dolphins) scored his second receiving touchdown in as many games last week (see table) after starting the year with no scores in the opening five contests. Also found the end zone on a spectacular 91-yard punt return (second-longest in NFLEL history) and earned Special Teams Player of the Week honours. ... Wide receiver MARC LESTER (Baltimore Ravens) caught 5 passes for 53 yards last week and leads the team with 29 catches for 402 yards and 4 touchdowns... Wide receiver BRIAN MCDONALD caught 2 passes for 43 yards last week and ranks third on the team with 16 receptions for 274 yards... French wide receiver MARC SOUMAH had a 14-yard catch last week and ranks fourth on the team with 12 receptions for 197 yards and a touchdown... Tight end JOSH WHITMAN caught a 3-yard pass last week and has 10 receptions on the season for 83 yards... Defensive end JOEY EVANS (Seattle Seahawks) recorded 2 tackles last week. Started season with 5 sacks in first three games but has not recorded a sack in the last four

weeks... German defensive end DANIEL BENETKA recorded 1 stop last week and has 12 tackles and 1 sack this season... Linebacker IDRIS PRICE (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) led the Galaxy with 10 tackles last week and ranks third on the team for the season with 31... Linebacker FRED JONES recorded 5 tackles last week and leads team with 35 this season... Linebacker DUSTIN COHEN returned from injured reserve to post 6 tackles last week... Safety RASHIDI BARNES posted 7 tackles, an interception and 2 pass defenses last week and jointly leads the league with 3 interceptions this season... Cornerback CALVIN SPEARS recorded 6 tackles last week. Jointly leads NFLEL with 3 interceptions on the year and has knocked down a team-high 9 passes... Cornerback KALVIN PEARSON (Cleveland Browns) recorded 4 tackles last week... Safety CHRIS YOUNG (Denver Broncos) posted 3 tackles last week and has 16 this season.... Veteran national kicker RALF KLEINMANN missed a 32-yard field goal last week. His 267 career points places him fourth in NFLEL history.

RHEIN FIRE (4-3)Head Coach: Pete Kuharchek (16-11 in NFLEL)Colours: Burgundy, black and white

OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR: Mike Jones (2nd season)

DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR: Ed O'Neil (3rd season)

ALL-TIME FRANCHISE RECORD: 49-37

MEDIA CONTACT: Markus Müller

Phone: 49-211-478-730

Fax: 49-211-478-7329

E-mail: markus.mueller@rhein-fire.de

Internet: www.rhein-fire.de

LAST GAME: Lost 0-33 at Scotland (5/18/03)

OFFENSE: 17.3 pts/game; 310.9 yds/game (rank 5); 142.9 rush yds/game (rank 2); 168 pass yds/game (rank 5)

Passing: Nick Rolovich 610 yards

Rushing: Autry Denson 571 yards

Receiving: Charlie Adams, 27 rec, Kendall Newson, 318 yards

DEFENSE: 17.4 pts/game; 301.4 yds/game (rank 1); 107.6 rush yds/game (rank 2); 193.9 pass yds/game (rank 2)

Sacks: Bastian Lano 4.5

Interceptions: Abdual Howard, Tony Lukins, 2

· THIS WEEK: vs BERLIN THUNDER ·

Fire coming off first shutout loss in team history, ending an 86-game scoring streak.... Head coach PETE KUHARCHEK says: "We had the chance to put ourselves in a good position last week, but we are still in there and we will be ready to play hard against Berlin.".... Quarterbacks NICK ROLOVICH (Denver Broncos) and CHRIS GREISEN will continue to share time (see table). Both had problems last week, Rolovich being tackled for a safety and Greisen fumbling in the end zone for a Scotland TD... Running back AUTRY DENSON (Detroit Lions) began record-equalling streak of three straight 100-yard rushing games against Berlin in Week 2. Has been held below three figures in three straight games... Running back FRANK MOREAU gained 28 yards on 9 carries last week and has rushed for 294 yards on the season... Fullback MATT STANLEY (San Francisco 49ers) gained 16 yards on 2 carries last week and caught 3 passes for 26 yards... Wide receiver KENDALL NEWSON (Miami Dolphins) caught 2 passes for 14 yards last week and had 4 catches for 62 yards against Berlin in Week 2, including a TD... Wide receiver EMMETT JOHNSON (Seattle Seahawks) caught 4 passes for 38 yards last week and had 4 for 49 yards against Berlin this year... Wide receiver CHARLIE ADAMS (Denver Broncos) caught a team-high 5 passes for 65 yards last week and leads the team with 27 catches this season.... Tight end DWAYNE BLAKEY (Kansas City Chiefs) caught 2 passes for 13 yards last week.... Tight end CHAD MUSTARD (Cleveland Browns) had 4 catches for 42 yards against Berlin this year. Caught 1 pass for 9 yards last week.... Wide receiver LaVELL BOYD (Houston Texans) caught 3 passes for 23 yards last week.... Defensive tackle JOSH McKIBBEN (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) has 2.5 sacks this season and made 1 tackle last week... German defensive lineman BASTIAN LANO leads the team with 4.5 sacks, but was forced out of the game last week with an injured bicep. Had 5 tackles, 1 sack against

Berlin in Week 2, earning National Player of the Week honours... Defensive end DERRICK HAM has 12 career sacks, 0.5 behind the club record of 12.5 held by Dunstan Anderson... Defensive tackle BRAD HARRIS (New York Giants) has 16 stops on the season... Linebacker JASON JOHNSON posted 5 tackles last week... Linebacker JAMEL SMITH made 5 tackles last week and has 40 on the season... Linebacker CHARLES BURTON (Arizona Cardinals) recorded a team-high 10 tackles last week and leads team with 48.... Strong safety ABDUAL HOWARD (Jacksonville Jaguars) recorded 8 tackles and 1 sack last week.... Cornerback TONY LUKINS (Oakland Raiders) knocked down 3 passes last week.... Veteran safety GREG BROWN recorded 5 tackles last week... Defensive tackle JESSE WARREN posted 4 tackles and a sack last week.... Former German soccer star INGO ANDERBRÜGGE has yet to miss a FG attempt in his short NFLEL career (4 of 4)... Punter JAY TAYLOR (Cleveland Browns) punted 5 times for a 38.2 yard average last week but saw one kick blocked.

SCOTTISH CLAYMORES (3-4)Head Coach: GeneDahlquist (12-15 in NFLEL)Colours: Navy, white and silver

OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR: Ken Margerum (1st season)

DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR: Ray Woodard (3rd season)

ALL-TIME FRANCHISE RECORD: 38-49

MEDIA CONTACT: Gary Ralston

Phone: 44-141-222-3801

Fax: 44-141-222-3828

E-mail: gralston@claymores.co.uk

Internet: www.claymores.co.uk

LAST GAME: Won 33-0 vs Rhein (5/18/03)

OFFENSE: 28 pts/game; 404.3 yds/game (rank 1); 162.4 rush yds/game(rank 1); 241.9 pass yds/game (rank 2)

Passing: Craig Nall 1,383 yds

Rushing: Ken Simonton 570 yds

Receiving: Ken Simonton 28 rec, Edell Shepherd 355

yds

DEFENSE: 21.3 pts/game; 340.3 yds/game (rank 4); 122.9 rush yds/game (rank 3); 217.4 pass yds/game (rank 4)

Sacks: T.J.Bingham 4

Interceptions: Robbie Robinson 2

· THIS WEEK: at AMSTERDAM ADMIRALS ·

Claymores travel to Amsterdam looking to show the kind of form that saw them shut out the Fire last week..... Head coach GENE DAHLQUIST says: "Last week we had no turnovers, defensively we got them off the field in a hurry and offensively we scored enough points to win. The players showed a confident manner in the way they went about their business.." But he is wary of the Admirals, saying: "To sweep Frankfurt the way they have is a hell of an achievement and shows they are a dangerous team."... Quarterback CRAIG NALL (Green Bay Packers) leads the league in touchdowns passes but has lost the lead in passing yardage (see table).... Quarterback SHANE STAFFORD (New England Patriots) completed 4 of 6 passes for 81 yards and 1 TD last week and has 4 TDs and 6 interceptions on the season.... Running back KEN SIMONTON (Buffalo Bills) failed in his bid to become the first player in NFLEL history to have four straight 100-yard rushing games when he was held to 53 yards last week. Ranks second in the league in rushing (see table) and leads the Claymores in receiving. With 991 offensive yards he is on course to beat the NFLEL single-season record for yards from scrimmage (1,268 by Lawrence Phillips, Barcelona 1999)..... Running back MAURICE HICKS (Chicago Bears) ranks fifth in the league with 448 yards rushing after gaining 56 on 9 carries last week.... Claymores on pace to finish with 1,624 rushing yards, just outside the league record of 1,686 by Rhein in 1999.... Fullback MIKE MALAN (New England Patriots) caught his 16th pass of the season last week and gained 29 rushing yards on 3 carries... English wide receiver SCOTT McCREADY (New England Patriots) caught 1 pass for 4 yards last week and, with 310 yards, has matched his yardage total for 2002. Had 6 catches for 64 yards in two games against Amsterdam last year...

Wide receiver EDELL SHEPHERD (Chicago Bears) leads the team in receiving yards with 355 yards after gaining 39 yards on 2 receptions last week, including his second TD of the season.... Wide receiver JOHN MINARDI (Houston Texans) led the team with 4 catches for 74 yards last week, including his third TD.... Veteran Scottish wide receiver SCOTT COUPER had 1 catch for 4 yards last week, meaning he needs one more reception to become the seventh player in league history to record 100 catches in his career. Has 3 career TDs against Amsterdam... Wide receiver ANTHONY BRIGHT (Houston Texans) had caught only 9 passes this season but three have been for TDs, including a 33-yarder last week.... Tight end ROD TRAFFORD (New England Patriots) caught 1 pass for 10 yards last week.... English defensive end ROBERT FLICKINGER recorded 2 tackles last week and has 14 for the season.... Defensive end RADELL LOCKHART ranks third on the team with 3 sacks and posted 7 tackles last week.... Defensive end T.J. BINGHAM (Kansas City Chiefs) had his team-high fourth sack of the year last week... Defensive tackle DEVONTE PETERSON scored on a fumble recovery in the end zone last week and has 22 tackles this year... Defensive end MICHAEL LANDRY (Kansas City Chiefs) is second on the team with 3.5 sacks... Linebacker DARNELL ROBINSON recorded 2 tackles last week for 33 on the season... Linebacker YUBRENAL ISABELLE recorded 3 tackles last week for a team-high 37 .... English defensive back ROWELLE BLENMAN played his league record 82nd regular season game last week. He holds the NFLEL record with 54 special teams tackles (6 this season).... Safety JAMES ROOTHS (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) blocked a punt last week... Cornerback BOBBY JACKSON (Green Bay Packers) recorded 4 tackles last week.... Safety ROBBIE ROBINSON (St Louis Rams) had 5 tackles last week, including one for a safety... Cornerback BO ROGERS posted a team-high 9 tackles last week.... English kicker ROB HART leads all kickers with 41 points this year after making a 27-yard FG and 4 PATs last week. With 294 career points, he needs 7 to become third player in NFLEL history to score 300 points and 11 to overtake former Rhein kicker Manfred Burgsmüller (304) for second on the all-time scoring list.... Punter KEVIN STEMKE landed 5 of his 7 punts in side the 20 last week.

THIS WEEK'S MATCHUPS

FRANKFURT GALAXY (4-3) at

F.C. BARCELONA DRAGONS (5-2)

Mini-Estadi, Saturday May 24, 5:30 p.m.

SERIES NOTES

Overall: Frankfurt leads 12-8 (Plus 1-0 in postseason)

At Barcelona: Frankfurt leads 7-3

At Frankfurt: Series tied 5-5

Streak: Frankfurt 1

This season: F.C. Barcelona 13 at Frankfurt 15 (Week 1)

TELEVISION

Germany: DELAY/DSF (7:45 p.m. CET)

US: LIVE/DirecTV (11:30 a.m. ET)

Play-by-play announcer RON PITTS is joined in the booth by Carolina Panthers wide receiver MUHSIN MUHAMMAD.

Spain: HIGHLIGHTS/TV3 (Sunday p.m.)

COACHES

JACK BICKNELL is in his 11 th season in charge of the Dragons and has more career wins (59) than any other coach in league history. Is bidding to guide his team to a record fifth World Bowl appearance. Galaxy head coach DOUG GRABER is in his third NFL Europe League season and has a 13-14 career record.

GAME NOTES

Second meeting of the season between the two remaining franchises from the World League's inaugural 1991 season. The two clubs have more wins than any other teams in league history – Barcelona 59, Frankfurt 56 – and have made a combined eight World Bowl appearances (4 each)... The Dragons have a one game lead atop the NFLEL standings with three weeks of the season remaining and have found ways to win despite having the league's sixth-ranked offense, fifth-ranked defense and worst average time of possession. Barcelona's success could be attributed to success in several key areas as they lead the league in points allowed, turnover ratio and red zone offense... Frankfurt ranks last in red zone offense, scoring 66.7 percent of the time on 30 trips inside the 20, but offense has shown a knack for keeping drives alive as Galaxy leads NFLEL with 47.6 percent conversion rate on third downs and boasts league-high average time of possession (32:30 minutes per game vs. Barcelona's 27:56 per contest)... Teams have enjoyed differing fortunes in recent weeks. After beating Barcelona in Week 1 and opening the year 3-0, the Galaxy have lost three of their last four games. The Dragons, on the other hand, have won five of their last six since that initial loss to the Galaxy... In Week 1 victory over the Dragons, Frankfurt came out on top courtesy of a JONAS LEWIS touchdown run and 3 RALF KLEINMANN field goals, including the game-winner with 5 seconds remaining. TE GABE CRECION and RB DAMEON HUNTER scored touchdowns for the Dragons... Dragons are 14-0 when they have a 100-yard rusher but they have not had one since Week 8 of the 2001 season (Mike Green at Scotland). Facing a Galaxy defense ranked first in the league against the run, allowing just 93 yards per game. Frankfurt has allowed just two 100-yard rushers this season, and both came in the same game (Wk 6: vs Scotland)... Dragons have been careful with the football this season, turning it over just 5 times in seven games, but they face a Galaxy defense which has forced a league-best 15 takeaways... Galaxy are coming off two thrilling games that were decided in overtime (vs Scotland) and with one second remaining (vs Amsterdam). Six of Frankfurt's seven games this season have been decided by one score or less (8 points). This game last year saw Frankfurt record a 54-14 victory over the Dragons in their Mini-Estadi debut.

SCOTTISH CLAYMORES (3-4) at

AMSTERDAM ADMIRALS (3-4)

Amsterdam ArenA, Saturday May 24, 7:00 p.m.

SERIES NOTES

Overall: Amsterdam leads 8-7

At Amsterdam: Amsterdam leads 5-3

At Scotland: Scotland leads 4-3

Streak: Scotland 2

Last season: Scotland 16 at Amsterdam 13 (Week 5); Amsterdam 13 at Scotland 17 (Week 7)

TELEVISION

United Kingdom: DELAY/Sky Sports 2 (11:00 p.m. BST)

Netherlands: HIGHLIGHTS/NOS Studio Sport (Sunday p.m.);

SBS6 (Sunday 1:00 p.m.)

US: LIVE/Fox Sports Net (1:00 p.m. ET)

Joining play-by-play announcer DAVE PASCH in the booth is New York Giants kick returner BRIAN MITCHELL.

COACHES

BART ANDRUS is in his third season as Admirals coach and is aiming to avoid a third straight losing campaign, having gone 4-6 in each of the past two years. Won a World Bowl as offensive coordinator of the Rhein Fire in 2000. GENE DAHLQUIST is also in his third season as head coach of the Claymores and has a 3-1 record against the Admirals.

GAME NOTES

First meeting of the season between the Admirals and Claymores is a must-win game for both 3-4 teams, who are one game behind those fighting for the second World Bowl berth (Rhein and Frankfurt)... Claymores swept the series last season and face the Admirals again in Week 10... In this game last year, Claymores QB SCOTT DREISBACH threw a game-winning 41-yard touchdown pass to WR DONDRE GILLIAM with 5 minutes remaining in the fourth quarter. Scotland's other points came from the boot of LAWRENCE TYNES and the bare foot of ROB HART as the kickers combined to land 3 field goals in a 16-13 win... Both teams have struggled to find consistency this season as neither has won back-to-back games this term. Scotland last won two games in a row in Weeks 6 and 7 of the 2002 season, while Amsterdam last won back-to-back games in Weeks 9 and 10 of 2002. Every time the Claymores or Admirals have won a game this year, they have followed it up with two straight losses... Scotland has the league's number one offense (404.3 yards per game), while the Admirals boast the top-ranked passing attack (262.8 yards per game). Three of the leading four receivers in the league in receptions are Admirals (WR MATTHEW HATCHETTE, TE KIRK MCMULLEN and WR JUSTIN SKAGGS). Run game has been a worry for the Admirals, who average 81.4 yards per game and rank sixth in the league... Admirals will be out to regain homefield advantage. Prior to 2002 season, the Admirals had lost just six times in the Amsterdam ArenA since 1997. In the past eight games at home, the Admirals have lost five times and have a 1-2 record on home turf this season... Claymores coming off just third shut out victory in club history. In ending Rhein's scoring streak at 86 games, the Claymores lead the league in that category having put points on the board in each of their last 83 contests... As well as total offense, the Claymores also lead the league in points scored (196) and touchdowns scored (25)... Admirals need to win two out of their final three games to avoid a record-tying fifth losing season in a row (London Monarchs 1992, 1995-98).

BERLIN THUNDER (2-5)

at RHEIN FIRE (4-2)

Arena AufSchalke, Sunday, May 18, 4:00 p.m.

SERIES NOTES

Overall: Rhein leads 7-2 (Berlin leads 1-0 in postseason)

At Rhein: Rhein leads 4-0

At Berlin: Rhein leads 3-2

Streak: Rhein 4

This season: Rhein 21 at Berlin 10 (Week 2)

TELEVISION

Germany: DELAY/Premiere (Sunday 1:00 a.m. CET)

US: DELAY/FOX (1:00 p.m. ET)

FOX network continues coverage of 2003 season with play-by-play announcer CURT MENEFEE being joined in the booth by former NFL offensive lineman and current FOX NFL Sunday analyst BRIAN BALDINGER.

COACHES

PETE KUHARCHEK is aiming for a third World Bowl ring this season and his first as a head coach. Took Rhein to World Bowl in 2002 but lost to Berlin. PETER VAAS is the reigning NFLEL Coach of the Year and won World Bowls with the Thunder in 2001 and 2002.

GAME NOTES

Fire have had the better of recent meetings between German rivals, winning the last four regular season games, although Berlin won World Bowl X against the Fire in Düsseldorf last June... Fire have been well supported in their new home in Gelsenkirchen, averaging 38,172 fans per game, and have already seen two of three home games this season draw crowds of 40,000-plus... Fire looking to bounce back after suffering first shut out in team history, ending a scoring streak of 86 games. 33-0 loss to Scotland was also the largest margin of defeat in Fire history and marked only the fourth time since 1995 that the team conceded 30 or more points in a game... Omens are good for Fire to rebound from loss in Scotland. Followed previous two losses this season with back-to-back wins (Weeks 2 and 3; Weeks 5 and 6)... Fire has the league's number one-ranked defense... Thunder have been much more competitive in recent weeks after overcoming a slow start to the season and can point to tougher defense and fewer turnovers on offense as the reason. In opening four games of the year, Thunder went 0-4, allowed opponents to gain 439.2 yards per game and 39.5 points per outing. In the last three games (2-1), Berlin has allowed just 287.3 yards per game and 22.3 points per game. In opening four losses, Berlin committed 14 turnovers that led to 55 points for their opponents. In last three games, Thunder has turned the ball over just once, with no points coming as a result of the mistake... Thunder still mathematically alive in the World Bowl race but need to win their remaining three games and have a host of other results go their way to qualify for the championship game... In first meeting between the teams earlier this season Fire RB AUTRY DENSON earned Player of the Week honours during a 21-10 Rhein win when he rushed for 114 yards and 1 touchdown and also scored on a 25-yard reception.

· WEEK SEVEN RECAP ·

F.C. Barcelona Dragons 23, Berlin Thunder 20

(Olympia Stadion, Berlin. Attendance: 11,766)

David Allen (Berlin) 256 all-purpose yards

Kerwin Cook (Barcelona) 3 catches 82 yards, 2 TD

Amsterdam Admirals 27, Frankfurt Galaxy 24

(Waldstadion, Frankfurt. Attendance: 23,129)

Shaun Hill (Amsterdam) 274 passing yards, 2 TD

Matthew Hatchette (Ams) 105 receiving yards, 2 TD

Rhein Fire 0, Scottish Claymores 33

(Hampden Park, Glasgow. Attendance: 8,279)

John Minardi (Scotland) 74 receiving yards, 1 TD

DeVonte Peterson (Scotland) Fumble recovery for TD

National Football League Europa Stories from May 20, 2003

• Fire return home, look to sweep Berlin - Rhein Fire
• NFLE Finishing Line in Sight - NFLE
• Game-winner Hill Awarded Again - NFLE

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