I, Robbert Graaf, am back to help you all through the playoff in season 6 in Draft League Europe. This is a bit mixed up as the first KFC wildcardgame was played yesterday, and SHC have not even finished regular season yet. All this shenannigans is due to the construct that is christmas. Well well. Lets have a look.

Firstly I want to mention the big surprise that Broekwater Patriots got the no1 overall seed in KFC. They got it because Wolfsbach Scimitars got hurt a bit in round 16, and lost an upset 2-1 to noncontenders Razorbacks. These divisional games are unpredictable. Scimitars keep the 2nd seed and the byeweek with the patriots. That leaves us with the 2 last divisional winners and the 2 wildcards.

The wildcardgame from yesterday.

Talabheim Sluggers vs Middenheim Classics.

Sluggers took a beating and lost several great players in round 16, so they were not the same team that won KFC East. The teams first ever divisional trophy! Grats on that. This is also the first playoff berth of the Sluggers. Sluggers got here on a 4/8/4 record. 0.500 and still in playoff. Only 4 losses do show some consistent play and good coaching. The stars that must shine for the Sluggers to win this wildcard game is players like Blitzer Dominic Toretto (+ST/Sure Hands/dodge) and Catcher Cordarrelle 'The One' Patterson (+ST/+MA/Block/Sprint/Sure Feet). Toretto must run the ball for his team and do it consistently, while Patterson is more the fast scoring player, and will mostly see the field on 3rd and long(OTTD) to stretch out the field and make that one play that can change the game.

Classics are in division with Patriots, and lost the byeweek to the Patriots in week 16 in a divisional brawl. Classics enter the playoff with an impressive 11/1/4 record, and should really be seen as the underdog in this wildcard games as they hold the wildcard. However I see the tables turned on this one. Among the great stars on this team we have the tandem of Jensen Foster and Vincent Jonkers(both killerblitzers with MB/PO and other skills). Those guys can give any team a bad day at the office. Classics were before the cursed franchise, but this playoff berth closes that chapter of team history. This is their first playoff appearance, and I said on the discordchat that they would win this one. And so they did.

Classics move on, as nuffle was harsh on Sluggers in week 16, giving them no real hope of going deep into playoff.

The other game is not played yet, so this makes it really interesting.


Flashfurt Universe vs Marienburg Foxes

Universe is old aquantance of playoff and got 2 Superbowl titles under their belt. That was a different coach and a different team in another time and age. The new(ish) Universe is coached by Badpublicity that experienced losing the Superbowl when coaching the Legion in SHC. He lost to Universe, and now he want to bring glory back to Flashfurt. Universe enters the playoff as divisional winner, and their record says 8/5/3. Solid. Among those who must shine for the Universe to move on is Lineman Todd Nathanson(+ST/+AG/Block/Dodge/Guard) and killer Blitzer Brian Newton (Frenzy/Tackle/Mighty Blow/Piling On/Thick Skull). Newton must pave the way for the teammates and make some holes to run in. Todd on the other hand is a supportplayer, but with his unique skillset, he can also turn a game upsaid down by taking matters into his own hands. Soem players to keep an eye on.

Foxes have been to the playoff almost every season I think. So it was no surprice seen them claim the 2nd wildcard after the Classics.Foxes also come with a record of 8/5/3, and lost the division on conference games, where Universe where slightly better. I could see this team run off with it all this season. misterlonestar has been at the helm for a long time, and this season is his season. But first to make that come true, he and the Foxes face the universe. Can they beat them, the world is at their feet, and the path for superbowl is set. The players to lift up the Foxes are first of all Blitzer Jack Youngblood (+ST/Tackle/Juggernaut/Mighty Blow/Piling On) and Catcher Steve Van Buren (+AG/+MA/Block/Leap/Side Step/Nerves of Steel). Jack is a beast and is a force to recon with. Van Buren is the TD star on the team. He has made a massive 41 TDs in 65 games, I expect him to play a central role if the Foxes wants succes.

When we take a look at these 2 teams history way back in time, Universe got a small egde with a 3/3/2 record above the Foxes. In the taler seasons Foxes got the upperhand, but week 16 in this season, the Universe got a needed win to steal the division and the homefield advantage. Did this enter the mind of the Foxes, or are they ready to bring down the Universe? I can say just this. This game will very close all the way, and the differencemakers must step up on either side to bring home a win. I call this for the Foxes (look at their fabulous teambio!).

Foxes win it.


Once those SHC guys play the rest of regular season, I will also talk about them. Slowpokes if there ever was one. ;)