Unbeaten Galaxy Visit Admirals

April 22, 2003 - National Football League Europa (NFLE) News Release

ALL games in a 10-week regular season are vital but the Week Four action could take on added importance for some NFL Europe League teams and serve as a turning point in their season.

For the undefeated Frankfurt Galaxy (3-0) it will be a case of keeping early-season momentum going when they visit the Amsterdam Admirals (1-2) on Saturday. The Admirals, on the other hand, will be aiming to halt a two-game slide after back-to-back defeats.

A pair of 2-1 teams keen to stay hot on the heels of the Galaxy meet in Spain on Saturday as the F.C. Barcelona Dragons play host to the Rhein Fire. After losing their season openers, both teams have bounced back with two wins and the winner of this meeting will have an early edge in the race to World Bowl XI in Glasgow.

Sunday's action sees the defending champion Berlin Thunder (0-3) entertain the Scottish Claymores (1-2) at Olympic Stadium.

Berlin will be out for their first win of the year, while Scotland aims to halt a two-game losing streak.

While many neutrals might have the impressive-looking Galaxy pencilled in as early-season World Bowl favourites, head coach DOUG GRABER is determined to keep his team focused in the coming weeks.

He says: "We are 3-0 but we have to keep playing. Our record means nothing right now. We have a lot of bumps and bruises and have a very difficult road trip coming up against the Admirals.

"I told my team in the locker room after the Berlin game that our record is no big deal. From the time we all leave training camp, it is the team that improves most during the course of the season who has the best chance to win the World Bowl."

After seeing his Admirals lose two games in a row to the Dragons, Amsterdam head coach BART ANDRUS will want his team to upset the form book at the Amsterdam ArenA, where the Admirals have lost four of their last five home games.

He says: "We have improved in some areas since Week 1 and regressed in others. We have the ability to move the ball but need to be more consistent."

After dropping their season opener to the Admirals, the Rhein Fire have come good on the back of typical Rhein Fire strengths – running the football and playing solid defense.

Head coach PETE KUHARCHEK says: "It was really important for us to win against Scotland as we prepare to head down to Barcelona for another big game."

Dragons head coach JACK BICKNELL is especially pleased with the way his team bounced back from a heartbreaking opening day loss in Frankfurt to inflict a pair of defeats on the Admirals.

The veteran coach says: "We have a good team that plays consistently hard. I like what I have seen so far. I think our team will keep improving as the year goes on."

Sunday's meeting between the Thunder and Claymores is a rematch of the Week 1 encounter that produced a league record 93 points.

Since scoring a league-best 62 points in that opening day victory, the Claymores have notched just 30 in their last two games – both losses to German opponents Frankfurt and Rhein.

Claymores head coach GENE DAHLQUIST says: "When you look at our offense it's more a case of our lack of execution rather than other teams figuring us out. Inconsistency has really hurt us on offense."

The Thunder are off to their second straight 0-3 start. This time last year they went on a World Bowl charge, winning six of their last seven regular season games and then the championship for a second year in a row.

Head coach PETER VAAS says: "If it's been done before it can be done again. We have shown flashes of being a good football team and I think we are talented, but we are going to struggle if we are not consistent. We have to make plays when they are there."

WEEK FOUR SCHEDULE

SATURDAY APRIL 26
Frankfurt Galaxy at Amsterdam Admirals
Amsterdam ArenA, Netherlands, 5:00 p.m.

Rhein Fire at F.C. Barcelona Dragons
Arena Auf Schalke, Gelsenkirchen, 5:00 p.m.

SUNDAY APRIL 27
Scottish Claymores at Berlin Thunder
Olympic Stadium, Berlin, 4:00 p.m.

PLAYERS OF THE WEEK – WEEK 3

OFFENSIVE · JONAS LEWIS · RB, Frankfurt
137 yards rushing, 3 touchdowns

DEFENSIVE · CALVIN SPEARS · CB, Frankfurt
6 tackles, 1 interception, 1 forced fumble, 1 pass defense; Recovered onside kick to start the game

SPECIAL TEAMS · IDRIS PRICE · LB, Frankfurt
Returned fumbled kickoff return 26 yards for TD; 1 special teams tackle

NATIONAL · CARLOS ROSADO · WR, Amsterdam
4 receptions for 71 yards

Tough games to call in Week 4

PREDICTING the outcome of games in the NFL Europe League has always been a perilous affair and that should prove to be the case once again in Week 4.

All three matchups on the slate for this coming weekend have produced numerous close encounters since the NFL Europe League returned as an all-European affair in 1995.

The Frankfurt Galaxy and Amsterdam Admirals have seen seven of their last nine meetings decided by one score or less (8 points).

Last year's games were decided by an average of 4.5 points per contest with the Galaxy emerging victorious on both occasions.

Galaxy head coach DOUG GRABER says: "I expect close games each and every week in this league. Our game against Berlin was not that close this week but our other two wins could have gone either way.

"We have a tough trip to face the Admirals this coming week and that is the hardest place to play in this league. Our games are usually close and I expect a dog fight in Amsterdam."

Admirals coach BART ANDRUS adds: "This is a very balanced league and that equates to lots of close games."

The Rhein Fire and F.C. Barcelona Dragons have played in 16 regular season games since 1995 and half of those contests have been decided by one score or less. Eight of the 16 games have also been won by the road team, making this a tough one for the experts to predict.

Fire head coach PETE KUHARCHEK says: "Our game against the Dragons is the biggest of our season to date. We will have to play well and correct some things from this week to win."

Dragons head coach JACK BICKNELL sums up the competitive nature of NFL Europe when he says: "We should have won in Frankfurt in Week 1 and lost in Amsterdam in Week 2, but it was the other way around – that's what happens in a league with so many close and exciting games."

The Scottish Claymores will be hoping to enjoy a successful trip to the Berlin Thunder in Week 4 as they will feel reasonably confident after defeating the German team 62-31 in a Week 1 game that broke or tied 16 NFLEL records.

But nothing is ever that simple in NFL Europe and the Claymores can ill afford to take the Thunder for granted this weekend. Prior to Scotland's large victory in Week 1, the previous five games between the two teams were decided by an average of 5.6 points per contest.

NEWS AND NOTES

Thunder still positive but glad to see the back of April

THE two-time World Bowl champion Berlin Thunder have one game remaining in the month of April (vs. Scottish Claymores) and they must be counting the days until May appears on their locker room calendar.

Following last week's 41-21 loss to the Frankfurt Galaxy, the Thunder have now lost eight straight games in the month of April and have gone 0-3 to open the season for a second year in a row.

A year after ranking as the best 0-3 team in league history with a points differential of 4.0 per loss, the Thunder are now second-worst in NFLEL history among 0-3 clubs, having lost their threee games this season by an average of 20.67 points per outing.

Despite seeing his team fall to a third straight defeat, Berlin Thunder head coach PETER VAAS says: "Anything is possible in football and of course it is still possible for us to win the World Bowl.

"This time last year we were 0-3 and no one gave us a chance going into the Amsterdam ArenA to play the Admirals, who were one of the toughest teams in the league at home at that time. That team rose to the occasion and won and that is what we have to do now.

"We have not played that well yet but I still believe this is a talented team. There are differences between this year's team and the one from last year, sure, but we can still win the World Bowl. And if you ask me why is that possible? Because it's been done before."

To get their season off and running, the Thunder will need to do something they have not done since they faced the Frankfurt Galaxy on April 28, 2001 – win in the month of April.

Since entering the league in 1999, the Thunder have played 13 games in April and posted a 2-11 record.

By contrast, the Thunder have become strong finishers as evidenced by their World Bowl successes in 2001 and 2002. In those two championship seasons, the Thunder went 6-1 in regular season games played in June and 2-0 in World Bowls.

Addressing his team's April struggles, Vaas says: "Like anything else in football, we have to focus on what we are going to do in the weeks ahead, not on what has happened in the past. We can't be concerned about what has gone on before. We have to get ready to play Scotland at home this week." History suggests World Bowl team on display in Spain

WEEK 4's meeting between the Rhein Fire and the F.C. Barcelona Dragons could feature one of this year's World Bowl teams if the NFL Europe League history books are anything to go by.

The reason? Either the Rhein Fire or F.C. Barcelona Dragons have appeared in every World Bowl since 1997.

Here is a breakdown of the past six World Bowls featuring one or both of those teams:
World Bowl '97 Barcelona 38-24 Rhein
World Bowl '98 Rhein 34-10 Frankfurt
World Bowl '99 Frankfurt 38-24 Barcelona
World Bowl 2000 Rhein 13-10 Scotland
World Bowl IX Berlin 24-17 Barcelona
World Bowl X Rhein 20-26 Berlin

In total, the Fire and Dragons have combined to reach eight World Bowls, winning three of them. The Dragons also played in the inaugural World Bowl in 1991, losing 21-0 to the London Monarchs.

Record books re-written following big nights in Europe

THE Frankfurt Galaxy and F.C. Barcelona Dragons wide receiver SEAN MOREY etched their mark in the NFLEL record books in Week 3.

Morey caught a record-tying 3 touchdown passes during Barcelona's 35-17 defeat of the Amsterdam Admirals, scoring on receptions of 25, 6 and 11 yards.

In Frankfurt, the Galaxy opened the game with 35 first quarter points en route to a 41-21 win over the Berlin Thunder. The 35 points set a league record for the most scored by one team in any quarter.

Galaxy head coach DOUG GRABER said: "I wish I could explain what happened in the first quarter and how we scored 35 points. If I could, I would write a book and make a lot of money.

"I thought our fans were really a factor in the first quarter – that place was rocking. There's no question Berlin lost their poise a little bit because of that."

Thunder head coach PETER VAAS said: "You can't give a good team like Frankfurt 35 points and expect to survive. It was a long day at the office." RB JONAS LEWIS scored 3 touchdowns in the opening period, while QB JAMES BROWN and LB IDRIS PRICE also found the end zone.

Land of the free... agent

EVEN though more than 200 NFL players have been allocated to the NFL Europe League in 2003, key free agents are still finding ways to make an impact on the season.

In Amsterdam, wide receiver MATTHEW HATCHETTE is putting his five years of NFL experience with the Minnesota Vikings and New York Jets to good use as he leads the Admirals with 14 receptions for 122 yards and a touchdown through the opening three weekends.

F.C. Barcelona Dragons free agent cornerback ANTUAN SIMMONS has made a solid start to life in Spain and ranks second on the team with 13 tackles and scored on a 43-yard kickoff return vs. Amsterdam Admirals in a Week 3 victory.

Berlin has received free agent help on defense where fifth round draft pick BYRON THWEATT has been a regular starter at linebacker, ranking fourth on the team with 14 tackles and 1 pass defense. Frankfurt has two key free agents serving as their driving force on offense in running back JONAS LEWIS and quarterback JAMES BROWN.

Lewis, who played in 11 NFL games for the San Francisco 49ers in 2000-01, leads the Galaxy in rushing with 291 yards and 5 touchdowns. Brown has thrown for 401 yards and 1 touchdown while guiding the Galaxy to a 3-0 record.

Galaxy head coach DOUG GRABER says: "I did a college game in which Jonas was playing when I was working in TV and I've always liked him – he is just a good football player."

Lewis adds: "I showed some special teams talent in my two years with the 49ers but now my main focus is running the ball, showing people around the league I can be an every down back and winning the World Bowl with the Galaxy."

Rhein Fire has free agent CHRIS GREISEN at quarterback putting his three years with the Arizona Cardinals to good use, while JAMEL SMITH is a key defensive leader at linebacker, leading the team with 17 tackles and 1 pass defense.

The Claymores have a pair of key free agents on defense in defensive end RADELL LOCKHART, who leads the team with 3 sacks, and linebacker DARNELL ROBINSON, who leads the defense with 19 tackles and 1 sack after being selected in the 19th round of the 2003 NFLEL free agent draft. NFLEL FACT: Look familiar?

Ever had that feeling of deja vu? Maybe it comes from looking at the NFLEL standings after three weeks. Not only are Frankfurt on top at 3-0 again and Berlin bringing up the rear with an 0-3 mark, but had the Admirals managed to keep Barcelona out of the end zone in the final two minutes of their Week 2 game in Amsterdam and win that match, the current standings would read exactly as they did at this time last year.

NFLEL FACT: Somebody stop me

After sitting on the bench for the opening nine games of his NFL Europe League career, quarterback JAMES BROWN is currently 4-0 as a starter. Brown guided the Scottish Claymores to a Week 10 victory over the F.C. Barcelona Dragons in 2002 and has already led the Frankfurt Galaxy to victories over the Dragons, Claymores and Berlin Thunder this season.

NFLEL FACT: Galaxy stars on top

Want an explanation for the Frankfurt Galaxy's great start to the 2003 NFL Europe League season? Might be worth taking a glance at the league leaders after three weeks of the season. Running back JONAS LEWIS leads the league with 5 rushing touchdowns, while RALF KLEINMANN is the top kicker with 19 points. Wide receiver ROBERT BAKER ranks first with 233 receiving yards and defensive end JOEY EVANS is out in front with 5.0 sacks. In the defensive backfield, RASHIDI BARNES, CALVIN SPEARS and JEREMY UNERTL are tied for the league lead with 2 interceptions each.

TEAM BY TEAM CAPSULES

AMSTERDAM ADMIRALS (1-2)
Head Coach: Bart Andrus (9-14 in NFLEL)
Colours: Orange and blue
OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR: Jeff Lewis (3rd season)
DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR: Larry Owens (3rd season)
ALL-TIME FRANCHISE RECORD: 43-40

LAST GAME: Lost 17-35 at Barcelona (4/19/03)
OFFENSE: 13.67 pts/game; 306.3 yds/game (rank 5); 81.7 yds rush/game (rank 6); 224.7 yds pass/game (rank 3)
Passing: Shaun Hill 498 yds
Rushing: Raymonn Adams 113 yards
Receiving: Matthew Hatchette, Raymonn Adams 14 rec; Hatchette 76 yds
DEFENSE: 20 pts/game; 262.3 yds/game (rank 1); 146.7 rush yds/game (rank 4); 115.7 pass yds/game (rank 1)
Sacks: Dwan Epps, Josh Hotchkiss, Tony Ortiz 2
Interceptions: Jordan Younger, Jason Waters, 1

· THIS WEEK: vs FRANKFURT GALAXY ·

Admirals have lost four of last five games at the Amsterdam ArenA... Admirals have lost two straight games after winning season opener and head coach BART ANDRUS says: "We have improved in some areas since Week One and regressed in others. We showed last week that we have the ability to move the ball but we need to be consistent. We probably let about 120 yards of offense get away by making mistakes.".... Admirals remain ranked number one on defense, even though Coach Andrus says: "We have regressed a little on defense and we need to shore that up.".... Quarterback SHAUN HILL (Minnesota Vikings) continues as the team's starter (see table)... Quarterback DAVID RIVERS (Atlanta Falcons) has seen action in all three games and last week completed 8 of 9 passes for 82 yards and 1 TD (141.7 rating). He has completed 82.3 percent of his passes....Running back JOHNATHAN REESE (New York Jets) rushed 4 times for 21 yards last week and caught 2 passes for 13 yards.... Running back RAYMONN ADAMS (New York Jets) leads the Admirals in rushing and is joint leader in receptions (see table).... Receiver JUSTIN SKAGGS (Washington Redskins) led the team with 8 catches for 64 yards, including his second TD of the season last week.... Free agent receiver MATTHEW HATCHETTE is joint team leader in receptions (see table).... Tight end KIRK McMULLEN (Carolina Panthers) caught 4 catches for 31 yards last week for a total of 13 on the season.... Mexican wide receiver CARLOS ROSADO had a career-high 4 catches for 71 yards last week against his former Barcelona teammates.... Receiver TRAVIS WILLIAMS (Green Bay Packers) caught 3 passes for 40 yards last week.... Tight end RYAN COLLINS caught 3 passes for 39 yards last week, including a 23-yard TD last week. Last year he caught 3 passes in each game against Frankfurt, a total of 6 catches for 31 yards.... Defensive end JONATHAN BROWN, NFLEL Co-Defensive MVP in 2000 when he led the league with 10 sacks as a member of the Berlin Thunder, has 1.5 sacks this season after posting 1 sack and 5 tackles last week.... Safety THAN MERRILL leads the team with 16 tackles after posting 4 last week. Posted 11 tackles in two games against Frankfurt last year while playing for Barcelona.... Defensive end SCOTT POSPISIL posted 4 tackles last week...... Linebacker LOUIS GREEN (Denver Broncos) posted 3 tackles last week and has 14 for the season. He also defended a team-high 3 passes last week.... Linebacker JOSH HOTCHKISS (New York Giants) is joint team leader with 2 sacks.... Linebacker DWAN EPPS posted 2 tackles last week but was held without a sack for the first time this season... Japanese linebacker MASAFUMI KAWAGUCHI is in his seventh season with the Admirals and has a career total of 125 tackles and 23 special teams tackles. He sat out last week's game with injury... Defensive back return specialist JORDAN YOUNGER, a two-time All-NFLEL selection with the Fire, recorded 3 tackles and 2 pass defenses last week... Defensive end MIKE CECERE (Washington Redskins) had a team-high 5 tackles last week.... Cornerback TROY GRANT was joint team leader with 5 tackles last week.... Linebacker TONY ORTIZ posted his second sack of the season, plus 4 tackles, last week.... Dutch kicker SILVIO DILIBERTO has kicked a league record 20 field goals in a row, having not missed a since Week 8 of 1999. Landed a 31-yarder last week and added 2 PATs for a team-high career total of 229 points.

F.C. BARCELONA DRAGONS (2-1)
Head Coach: Jack Bicknell (56-47 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: 56-47

LAST GAME: Won 35-17 vs Amsterdam (4/19/03)
OFFENSE: 19.3 pts/game; 249.7 yds/game (rank 6); 138.7 rush yds/game (rank 3); 111.0 pass yds/game (rank 6)
Passing: Seth Burford, 261 yards
Rushing: Jeff Chaney, 157 yards
Receiving: Sean Morey, Gabe Crecion 10 rec; Morey 107 yards
DEFENSE: 13 pts/game; 323.0 yds/game (rank 4); 88.0 rush yds/game (rank 3); 235.0 pass yds/game (rank 6)
Sacks: Kevin DeRonde 3
Interceptions: Kenny Harney, Antuan Simmons, Jason Olford 1

· THIS WEEK: vs RHEIN FIRE ·

Dragons look for second straight home win, with head coach JACK BICKNELL saying: "I enjoy the atmosphere at the Mini Estadi and the players have fun playing here. We won't have to have too many more fans in there to make it one of the best homefield advantages in the league.".... Dragons are 14-0 all-time when they have a 100-yard rusher, but have not had one since 2001. However, after 190 rushing yards last week against Amsterdam, Bicknell says: "We have got a running game going and that takes the pressure off the quarterback and the offensive line."... SETH BURFORD (San Diego Chargers) threw his first two touchdown passes of the season last week (see table)... Quarterback CHRIS FINLEN (New Orleans Saints) completed 1 of 3 passes for a 6-yard TD last week.... Running back DAMEON HUNTER (Baltimore Ravens) is one of only two players in the NFLEL (Galaxy RB Jonas Lewis) to score in all three games this season (see table)... Running back JEFF CHANEY (Atlanta Falcons) gained a season-high 91 yards on 10 carries last week, including a 56-yard gain.... Wide receiver ZEK PARKER (Arizona Cardinals) caught 1 pass for 11 yards last week... Receiver KERWIN COOK (New Orleans Saints) ranks third on the team with 9 catches after 2 catches for 30 yards last week... Wide receiver SEAN MOREY (Philadelphia Eagles) tied a league record with 3 TD catches last week, matching his total for the entire season when he played as a receiver for the Dragons in 2000. Eleventh player in NFLEL history and second Dragon (Brian Finneran, 1999) to catch three TD passes in a single game. Finished game with 4 catches for 57 yards and leads the team with 10 catches for 107 yards this season... Tight end GABE CRECION is tied for the team lead with 10 catches after 5 for 45 last week.... Tight end MATT CERCONE caught 1 pass for 33 yards last week.... Defensive end JASON SHORT posted 1 sack and 2 tackles last week... Defensive tackle JABARI ISSA posted 2 tackles and his first sack of the season last week... Linebacker DWAYNE LEVELS (Cincinnati Bengals) had 5 tackles last week and has 13 for the season... Cornerback JASON OLFORD (Jacksonville Jaguars) returned an interception 23 yards last week, posted 8 tackles and defended 3 passes. He leads the team with 15 tackles.... Cornerback ANTUAN SIMMONS recorded 6 tackles last week... Cornerback MARCUS SMITH posted 7 tackles last week... French safety SAMYR HAMOUDI recorded 2 tackles and a pass defense last week ... Mexican wide receiver MARCO MARTOS has yet to record his first catch of his seventh season with the Dragons. Caught 9 TD passes in first three seasons of NFLEL career but none in the last three. Scored a TD when Dragons beat the Fire in World Bowl '97.... Veteran national kicker and former F.C. Barcelona Dragons goalkeeper JESUS ANGOY added to his all-time leading points tally by kicking 5 PATs last week, taking his total to 316.

BERLIN THUNDER (0-3)
Head Coach: Peter Vaas (16-17 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: 19-24

LAST GAME: Lost 21-41 at Frankfurt (4/19/03)
OFFENSE: 20.67 pts/game; 343 yds/game (rank 2); 94 rush yds/game (rank 5); 249 pass yds/game (rank 2)
Passing: Phil Stambaugh, 486 yds
Rushing: David Allen, 124 yds
Receiving: Sedrick Irvin 17 rec, Pierre Brown 184 yds
DEFENSE: 41.3 pts/game; 429.67 yds/game (rank 6); 227.3 rush yds/game (rank 6); 202.3 pass yds/game (rank 4)
Sacks: Reggie Grimes, 1
Interceptions: Travis Coleman, Jamal White, 1

· THIS WEEK: vs. SCOTTISH CLAYMORES ·

Thunder off to 0-3 start for second straight season after loss at Frankfurt last week. Head coach PETER VAAS says: "We have to be more consistent. We have shown flashes of being a good football team but until we play more consistently we are going to struggle."... Quarterback HENRY BURRIS (Chicago Bears) threw for 93 yards and 1 touchdown last week and passed for 149 yards and 1 TD vs. Claymores in Week 1... Quarterback PHIL STAMBAUGH threw for 148 yards and 1 touchdown in Week 3. Passed for 208 yards and 1 touchdown vs. Scotland on opening day... Running Back SEDRICK IRVIN (Miami Dolphins) leads the team in yards from scrimmage (see table). Rushed for 26 yards and caught 5 passes for 49 yards last week and gained 123 total yards against Claymores in Week 1.... Running back DAVID ALLEN (Jacksonville Jaguars) rushed for 28 yards and 1 touchdown last week. Rushed for 30 yards vs. Scotland in previous meeting this year ... Wide receiver PIERRE BROWN (Detroit Lions) caught 2 passes last week.... Wide receiver ELIJAH THURMON (Chicago Bears), born in Heidelberg, Germany, caught 3 passes for 26 yards and a touchdown last week.... National wide receiver JOERG HECKENBACH caught 1 pass for 9 yards last week. Scored on a 20-yard reception in first meeting with Claymores this season and has 4 catches for 50 yards on the year... Receiver SEAN SCOTT (Philadelphia Eagles) caught 7 passes for 53 yards last week. Caught 1 pass in first meeting with Claymores, gaining 5 yards... Tight end BRYAN FLETCHER (Chicago Bears) caught 1 pass for 5 yards last week and had 3 receptions for 34 yards in first meeting with Scotland ... Tight end CHAD HAYES (Tennessee Titans) caught 4 passes last week for 42 yards and a touchdown... Cornerback TRAVIS COLEMAN (Chicago Bears) recorded 3 tackles last week, knocked down 2 passes, recovered a fumble and returned 2 kickoffs for 29 yards. Scored on a 38-yard interception return in Week 1 game against Claymores and added team-high 7 tackles... Defensive end TETO SIMPSON recorded 3 tackles vs. Frankfurt in Week 3. Made 2 tackles in opening day loss to Claymores... Linebacker JAMAL WHITE (Oakland Raiders) posted 5 tackles last week. Recorded 6 tackles and 1 interception in first game vs. Claymores.... Linebacker BYRON THWEATT had 3 tackles last week... Defensive end REGGIE GRIMES recorded 3 tackles last week and also added Berlin's first and only sack of the season... Defensive end RYAN WINGROVE recorded 4 tackles and 1 pass defense last week.... Linebacker CHRIS BALL made 4 tackles against Frankfurt last week. Was with Claymores for first meeting between two teams but did not record any statistics.... Defensive back TIM CARTER led the Thunder with 13 tackles last week... Safety CLINT FINLEY recorded 5 tackles and 1 forced fumble last weekend... German kicker AXEL KRUSE is in his fifth season and is the Thunder's all-time leading scorer with 134 points, after adding 3 PATs last week. His 82 straight PATs is the second longest streak in NFLEL history.

FRANKFURT GALAXY (3-0)
Head Coach: Doug Graber (12-11 inNFLEL)
Colours: Purple, orange, red and white
OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR: Dwain Painter (3rd season)
DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR: Bob Valesente (3rd season)
ALL-TIME FRANCHISE RECORD: 55-48

LAST GAME: Won 41-21 vs. Berlin (4/19/03)
OFFENSE: 24.3 pts/game; 327.67 yds/game (rank 4); 159 rush yds/game (rank 2); 168.67 pass yds/game (rank 4)
Passing: James Brown, 380 yds
Rushing: Jonas Lewis, 291 yds
Receiving: Robert Baker, 12 rec, 233 yds
DEFENSE: 15.67 pts/game; 270.3 yds/game (rank 2); 82.3 rush yds/game (rank 1); 188 pass yds/game (rank 2)
Sacks: Joey Evans, 5
Ints: Rashidi Barnes, Calvin Spears, Jeremy Unertl , 2

· THIS WEEK: at AMSTERDAM ADMIRALS ·

Galaxy has started season 3-0 for second year in a row. Head coach DOUG GRABER says: "We have made a good start but the team that wins to the World Bowl is the one that improves the most during the season. We showed improvement this week, especially on offense, so I am pleased with my team."... Free agent and former Scottish Claymores quarterback JAMES BROWN compiled a quarterback rating of 103.8 last week, threw for 133 yards and rushed for game's opening touchdown... Quarterback QUINN GRAY (Jacksonville Jaguars) also saw action last week and completed 1 pass for 13 yards. Rushed for 47 yards on 3 carries... Running back JONAS LEWIS was named Offensive Player of Week 3. Leads Galaxy in rushing yards (see table), having registered 137 yards and 3 touchdowns last week vs. Berlin ... Running back ROBERT GILLESPIE (Washington Redskins) gained 22 yards on 7 carries last week and returned 1 kickoff for 25 yards... Running back ADAM TATE rushed for 29 yards on 4 carries last week... Wide receiver ROBERT BAKER (Miami Dolphins) led the Galaxy with 4 catches for 63 yards in Week 3 with a long of 25 yards... Wide receiver MARC LESTER (Baltimore Ravens) caught 3 passes for 44 yards last week... French wide receiver MARC SOUMAH did not catch a pass last week. Has career figures of 5 catches for 88 yards and 2 touchdowns vs. Admirals... Receiver BRIAN McDONALD caught 2 passes for 39 yards last week. Caught 6 passes for 64 yards vs. Admirals in 2002 and added 5 punt returns for 24 yards and 1 kickoff return for 20 yards... Tight end KORI DICKERSON (Philadelphia Eagles) moved from linebacker to TE in his senior year at USC. Did not catch a pass last week... Tight end JOSH WHITMAN played in four games with the San Diego Chargers in 2001, starting one. Did not catch a pass last week... German tight end WERNER HIPPLER did not record any receptions last week but still ranks second among nationals with 76 catches for 830 yards and 2 touchdowns. Has caught 10 passes for 149 yards during career vs. Amsterdam... Defensive end JOEY EVANS (Seattle Seahawks) leads the league with 5 sacks after adding 1 tackle and 1 sack vs. Berlin last week... Defensive tackle LUIS ALMANZAR (Seattle Seahawks) recorded 2 tackles and 1 sack last week... German defensive tackle DANIEL BENETKA did not record any statistics last week. Recorded 2 tackles, 1 interception and knocked down 2 passes vs. Admirals last season... Linebacker IDRIS PRICE (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) recorded 1 tackle last week and returned a fumbled kickoff return 26 yards for a touchdown... Linebacker FRED JONES earned All-Big 12 honors at Colorado and played in 31 games for the Buffalo Bills in 2000-2001. Recorded 5 tackles, 1 sack, 1 forced fumble and 1 fumble recovery vs. Berlin last week... Safety RASHIDI BARNES recorded a team-leading 6 tackles last week. Registered 7 tackles vs. Admirals last season... Veteran defensive back CHRIS CUMMINGS is in his fourth NFLEL season and recorded 3 tackles and 1 sack last weekend. Made 4 stops, 1 interception and 2 pass defenses in two meetings with Amsterdam in 2002... Cornerback JON PENDERGRASS (Seattle Seahawks) recorded 1 tackle and 1 pass defense last week and also recovered a fumbled punt on special teams... Cornerback CALVIN SPEARS won Defensive Player of the Week honours after recording team-high 6 tackles, recovering onside kick to open game and adding 1 interception and 1 forced fumble vs. Thunder last week... Cornerback CHRIS POINTER (Carolina Panthers) recorded 5 tackles and 1 interception last week... Safety JEREMY UNERTL (Green Bay Packers) recorded 5 tackles, 3 pass defenses and 2 interceptions last week... Veteran national kicker RALF KLEINMANN kicked 5 PATs last week and added a 30-yard field goal. Has 19 points on the year. Last game vs. Admirals came in Week 7 of 2000 season (5/28/00) when he kicked 1 extra point.

RHEIN FIRE (2-1)
Head Coach: Pete Kuharchek (14-9 in NFLEL)
Colours: Burgundy, black and white
OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR: Mike Jones (2nd season)
DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR: Ed O'Neil (3rd season)
ALL-TIME FRANCHISE RECORD: 48-35

LAST GAME: Won 34-17 vs. Scotland (4/19/03)
OFFENSE: 23.3 pts/game; 328.67 yds/game (rank 3); 183.67 rush yds/game (rank 1); 145 pass yds/game (rank 5)
Passing: Nick Rolovich 303 yards
Rushing: Autry Denson 344 yards
Receiving: Emmett Johnson, 10 rec, 131 yards
DEFENSE: 14.67 pts/game; 279.67 yds/game (rank 3); 86 rush yds/game (rank 2); 193.67 pass yds/game (rank 3)
Sacks: Josh McKibben, 2.5
Interceptions: Lemual Ligon, Abdual Howard, 1

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

Fire heads to Barcelona having posted first home win at Arena AufSchalke in Gelsenkirchen. Head coach PETE KUHARCHEK says: "It was great to get our first win at home in front of more than 43,000 fans. It was a big win for us as we head down to face the Dragons.".... Quarterbacks NICK ROLOVICH (Denver Broncos) and CHRIS GREISEN will continue to share time (see table)... Running back AUTRY DENSON (Detroit Lions) rushed for 158 yards and 1 touchdown last week. Leads NFLEL in rushing (see table)... Running back FRANK MOREAU gained 96 yards last week and has rushed for 161 yards on the season... Kuharchek says: "Denson is a quick guy and Moreau is a back who can run over people – that is the Rhein Fire tradition. When we put this offense together, we needed two backs because we are going to be physical and run the football.".... Wide receiver KENDALL NEWSON (Miami Dolphins) had 1 reception last week for 33 yards and a touchdown ... Wide receiver EMMETT JOHNSON (Seattle Seahawks) caught 4 passes for 56 yards last week... Wide receiver CHARLIE ADAMS (Denver Broncos) led team with 5 receptions for 42 yards and 2 touchdowns last week.... Tight end DWAYNE BLAKEY (Kansas City Chiefs) caught 1 pass for 11 yards in Week 3... Defensive tackle JOSH McKIBBEN (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) leads team with 2.5 sacks....Linebacker JASON JOHNSON posted 5 tackles last week... Linebacker JAMEL SMITH recorded 4 tackles last week and leads team with 17 stops... German defensive lineman BASTIAN LANO knocked down 1 pass last week and has 5 tackles and 1.5 sacks this season... Defensive tackle BRAD HARRIS (New York Giants) posted 2 tackles and 1 pass defense last week and has 10 tackles on the year... Linebacker CHARLES BURTON (Arizona Cardinals) recorded 3 tackles during last week's victory over Claymores... Defensive end DERRICK HAM has 11 career sacks, 1.5 behind the team record of 12.5 held by Dunstan Anderson. Last played vs. Dragons on 5/6/00 when he recorded 2 tackles and 1 sack... Strong safety ABDUAL HOWARD (Jacksonville Jaguars) recorded 3 tackles and scored on a 93-yard interception return vs. Claymores last week... Cornerback TEDDY GAINES (Chicago Bears) led the Fire with 6 tackles last week... Cornerback LEMUAL LIGON (San Diego Chargers) recorded 1 tackle last week.... Cornerback TONY LUKINS (Oakland Raiders) recorded 4 tackles, 1 interception and 4 pass defenses last week. Leads Fire with 7 passes knocked down this season... Veteran safety GREG BROWN made 5 tackles and knocked down 2 passes last week. Recorded 7 tackles in two games vs. Dragons in 2002.... Former German soccer star INGO ANDERBRÜGGE was 3 of 3 on extra point attempts last week.

SCOTTISH CLAYMORES (1-2)
Head Coach: GeneDahlquist (10-13 in NFLEL)
Colours: Navy, white and silver
OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR: Ken Margerum (1st season)
DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR: Ray Woodard (3rd season)
ALL-TIME FRANCHISE RECORD: 36-47

LAST GAME: Lost 17-34 at Rhein (4/19/03)
OFFENSE: 30.67 pts/game; 389.3 yds/game (rank 1); 131 rush yds/game(rank 4); 258.3 pass yds/game (rank 1)
Passing: Craig Nall, 565 yds
Rushing: Maurice Hicks, 185 yds
Receiving: Edell Shepherd, 12 rec 159 yds
DEFENSE: 27.3 pts/game; 379.67 yds/game (rank 5); 157.67 rush yds/game (rank 5); 222 pass yds/game (rank 5)
Sacks: Radell Lockhart, 3.0
Interceptions: Robbie Robinson, 2

· THIS WEEK: at BERLIN THUNDER ·

Claymores look to bounce back after suffering second straight defeat last week... Head coach GENE DAHLQUIST said: "It was a frustrating loss – we need to execute better on the offensive side of the ball."... Quarterback CRAIG NALL (Green Bay Packers) leads the league in passing yards (see table). Completed 10 of 21 passes for 140 yards last week. Threw for 192 yards and 1 touchdown in Week 1 defeat of Thunder... Quarterback SHANE STAFFORD (New England Patriots) completed 11 of 18 passes for 96 yards last week at Rhein. Threw for 76 yards and 1 touchdown last time vs. Berlin... Running back KEN SIMONTON (Buffalo Bills) rushed for 22 yards and 1 touchdown on 8 carries last week. Scored league record-tying 4 touchdowns in last meeting with Thunder... Running back MAURICE HICKS (Chicago Bears) rushed for 12 yards last week. Scored 2 touchdowns in Week 1 vs. Thunder and scored on league-record 93-yard run... British wide receiver SCOTT McCREADY (New England Patriots) caught 5 passes for 61 yards last week. Scored 26-yard touchdown in opening day clash with Thunder... Wide receiver EDELL SHEPHERD (Chicago Bears) caught 4 passes for 48 yards last week and leads team in receptions and yards (see table)... Wide receiver JOHN MINARDI (Houston Texans) caught 2 passes for 40 yards last week. Caught 3 for 64 last time vs. Berlin and scored on 34-yard reception... Veteran Scottish wide receiver SCOTT COUPER did not catch a pass last week and still needs four more receptions to become the seventh player in league history to record more than 100 catches in a career. Caught 35-yard pass in Week 1 defeat of Thunder... Defensive end ROBERT FLICKINGER recorded 2 tackles last week. Made 2 tackles and recovered a fumble in previous meeting with defending World Bowl champions... Defensive end T.J. BINGHAM (Kansas City Chiefs) made 3 tackles last week vs. Fire and has recorded 12 tackles and 1 sack on the year... Defensive end RADELL LOCKHART recorded 1 tackle in Week 3. Recorded 6 tackles and 2 sacks last time out against Berlin... Defensive tackle DEVONTE PETERSON made 3 tackles last week... Defensive end MICHAEL LANDRY (Kansas City Chiefs) recorded 4 tackles last week... Linebacker ISAAC KEYS (Green Bay Packers) made 1 tackle in Week 3... Linebacker JERMAINE PETTY (Green Bay Packers) recorded 1 tackle vs. Rhein... Linebacker DARNELL ROBINSON recorded team-leading 7 tackles last week... Linebacker YUBRENAL ISABELLE recorded 2 tackles in Week 3. Notched 6 tackles in Week 1 game vs. Berlin... Swedish linebacker JENS PETTERSSON recorded 1 tackles last week and has 7 stops on the season... Veteran safety JAMES ROOTHS (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) recorded 6 tackles during loss to Rhein. Made 3 tackles last time against the Thunder... Cornerback BOBBY JACKSON (Green Bay Packers) recorded 4 tackles and 1 pass defense in Week 3... English kicker ROB HART has not missed an extra point in 132 attempts after adding 2 PATs last week. Also kicked a 19-yard field goal – his 14th in a row. Kicked field goal and league record-tying 8 extra points in Week 1 defeat of Berlin.

THIS WEEK'S MATCHUPS

FRANKFURT GALAXY (3-0) at AMSTERDAM ADMIRALS (1-2)
Amsterdam ArenA, Saturday April 26, 5:00 p.m.

SERIES NOTES
Overall: Frankfurt leads 10-6 (Frankfurt leads 1-0 in postseason)
At Amsterdam: Amsterdam leads 5-3
At Frankfurt: Frankfurt leads 7-1
Streak: Frankfurt 3
Last season: Amsterdam 19 at Frankfurt 21; Frankfurt 20 at Amsterdam 13

TELEVISION
Germany: LIVE/DSF (7:45 p.m.) DELAY/Premiere (1:00 a.m. Sunday) Netherlands: HIGHLIGHTS/NOS Studio Sport (Sunday p.m.); SBS6 (Sunday 1:00 p.m.) US: DELAY/FOX Sports Net (1:00 p.m. ET) Play-by-play announcer NICK HALLING is joined in the booth by Detroit Lions offensive lineman RAY BROWN.

COACHES
Admirals' BART ANDRUS has lost last three games against the Galaxy. Won a World Bowl ring as offensive coordinator of the Rhein Fire in 2000.... DOUG GRABER is in his third season as Galaxy head coach and boasts a 6-2 record in the month of April.

GAME NOTES
Teams meet with Galaxy holding a 10-6 series lead and having won the last three contests... Admirals last win over Galaxy came in Week 3 of the 2001 season... Admirals looking to re-gain form at Amsterdam ArenA, where they have lost four of their last five home games... Galaxy off to a 3-0 start in 2003 after starting the 2002 campaign with a 4-0 record... Meetings between two teams are traditionally tight affairs as seven of the last nine games have been decided by one score or less (8 points). Last year's two games were decided by an average of 4.5 points per contest... Admirals aiming to reach World Bowl for the first time since 1995, when they faced the Frankfurt Galaxy and suffered a 26-22 loss in the championship game at Amsterdam's Olympic Stadium... Galaxy won both games in 2002. First meeting in Frankfurt saw Swedish kicker OLA KIMRIN land a game-winning 44-yard field goal with 13 seconds remaining to lift Galaxy to a 21-19 victory... Re-match in Week 8 saw RB CURTIS ALEXANDER (88 rushing yards, 1 TD) lead the Galaxy to victory as he scored the game-winning touchdown with 5:12 remaining in the fourth quarter. Also finding the end zone for Frankfurt was WR RICKY HALL and defensive back CHRIS CUMMINGS. RHEIN FIRE (2-1) at F.C. BARCELONA DRAGONS (2-1)
Mini-Estadi, Saturday April 26, 5:00 p.m.

SERIES NOTES
Overall: Series tied 8-8 (Barcelona leads 1-0 in postseason)
At Barcelona: Series tied 4-4
At Rhein: Series tied 4-4
Streak: Rhein 2
Last season: Barcelona 3 at Rhein 31; Rhein 24 at Barcelona 21

TELEVISION
Spain: HIGHLIGHTS/TV3 (Sunday p.m.) US: LIVE/DirecTV (11:00 a.m. ET) Joining play-by-play announcer BRIAN SEXTON in the booth is Dallas Cowboys tight end TONY McGEE.

COACHES
Rhein's PETE KUHARCHEK is in his third season as a head coach after winning World Bowls in 1998 and 2000 as Rhein's defensive coordinator. Has won last two games vs. Dragons... JACK BICKNELL is in his eleventh season with F.C. Barcelona and has been on the sidelines for every Dragons game, compiling more wins (56), than any other coach in league history. Has 40 more wins than nearest active coach (Berlin's Peter Vaas has 16 regular season victories).

GAME NOTES
Meeting of two of the most successful teams in NFL Europe League history. Rhein has qualified for four of the last six World Bowls, while Dragons are also chasing a record fifth appearance in the championship game... One of these teams has appeared in every World Bowl since 1997... Fire has two World Bowl victories (1998 & 2000), while the Dragons have one (1997)... Evenly-matched teams over the years and all-time series is tied 8-8, with half of those games being decided by one score or less... Series is tied at 4-4 for games played in Spain and 4-4 for games in Germany... Fire won last meeting between the teams in Week 8 of the 2002 season as WR COREY ALSTON scored on a 9-yard pass from TEE MARTIN and on a 99-yard kickoff return... First game was a 31-3 blowout in favour of the Fire as RB JAMAL ROBERTSON rushed for 124 yards and 2 touchdowns... Fire has the best red zone offense in the NFL Europe League, scoring on 87.5 percent of trips inside the opposing 20-yard line... Dragons rank second in league in turnover ratio with plus-3. Have given the ball away just 3 times in three games (1 interception and 2 fumbles), while creating 6 turnovers of their own (3 interceptions and 3 fumbles)... Dragons continue to enjoy success in odd-numbered years (35-18 in odd years, 21-29 in even years)... Dragons boast 24-12 record in April, including 11-5 at home in that time.

SCOTTISH CLAYMORES (1-2) at BERLIN THUNDER (0-3)
Olympic Stadium, Berlin, Sunday, April 27, 4:00 p.m.

SERIES NOTES
Overall: Berlin leads 5-4
At Scotland: Scotland leads 3-2
At Berlin: Berlin leads 3-1
Streak: Scotland 1
This season: Berlin 31 at Scotland 62 (Week 1)

TELEVISION
United Kingdom: LIVE/Sky Sports Extra (3:00 p.m.) US: LIVE/DirecTV (11:00 a.m. ET) Play-by-play commentator NICK HALLING is alongside former San Francisco 49ers and Carolina Panthers fullback WILLIAM HENDERSON in the broadcast booth.

COACHES
Thunder head coach PETER VAAS has led Berlin to victory in past two World Bowls and is reigning Coach of the Year, but has lost his last six games in the month of April... GENE DAHLQUIST is in his third season with the Claymores and has a 5-10 record against German teams.

GAME NOTES
Teams meet for re-match of historic 2003 season opener when 16 league records were broken or tied during Claymores' 62-31 victory... Teams combined for league record 93 points and 54 first downs... Claymores were led to victory by RB KEN SIMONTON, who rushed for 87 yards and a league record-tying 4 touchdowns. Fellow RB MAURICE HICKS gained 152 yards and scored 2 touchdowns, including a record-breaking 93-yard run... In opening three games of the season, Thunder have recorded a league-low 1 sack, while the Claymores have brought down opposing quarterbacks 7 times... Claymores scored 62 points in season-opening victory over Thunder but have only scored 30 points in last two losses to Frankfurt and Rhein. In 2002 season, Scotland opened with 45 points in Week 1 victory but scored just 29 in the following three games (all losses)... Meeting of top two offenses in NFL Europe and worst two defenses. Claymores rank first in overall offense with 1,168 yards and fifth in total defense allowing 1,139 yards. Thunder rank second in total offense with 1,029 yards and sixth in defense with 1,289 yards... Both teams have struggled in turnover battle.... Claymores have a minus-2 ratio, ranking fifth in league, while Thunder's minus-7 ratio has them ranked last... Thunder has a 2-11 franchise record in April and has lost last eight games in a row in that month.

National Football League Europa Stories from April 22, 2003

• F.C. Barcelona Dragons Game Notes - F.C. Barcelona Dragons
• Unbeaten Galaxy Visit Admirals - NFLE
• World Bowl Champion Thunder Get Week One Rematch with Claymores - Berlin Thunder
• Galaxy trio scoop Player of the Week nods - NFLE
• Frankfurt Galaxy Game Preview - Frankfurt Galaxy

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