Football in Milano Part 3: American Football: Milano Seamen

Photo Credit: Dario Fumagalli

To say that the last few weeks have been crazy is an understatement. Last time I left off, we had just won a statement game in Belgrade, Serbia and had our sights set on Derby Weekend vs our cross town rivals, the #RhinosMilano.

We hosted part 1 of 2 Derby Matches at Arena Civica. We had confidence coming off a big win on the road and were excited to see how we would match up against a team that had been making a splash in the IFL being the only team unbeaten after beating Parma the week before. 

We came into the game jacked up and ready to roll, in front of a loud and rowdy crowd. That was the peak of the game for us as we tried and failed to stop the Rhinos attack and put points on the board. After the game it was a tough loss to swallow. All season we had heard that we are team struggling, not hitting our stride. They were right, we had a lot learn this season, and we had to reload some key pieces from the 2x IFL Super Bowl teams of years past. We swallowed our tough loss and got back to work, the next week hosting the #PantersParma at home. In a back and forth game we were unable to connect and make things happen. Parma came out with a great game plan and we could not find a way to connect on all aspects of the game, taking another tough Loss. 

2 straight losses coming off a big road win... What was the reason for this? I am sure everyone had their opinion, and we had a lot of conversations as a team, but what I saw was intriguing. Our next match was the return match of the Derby against the Rhinos. And what I noticed is that the guys were hungry. They wanted revenge, but also they seemed to relax, and by relax I mean they stopped thinking that had to be the team from last year and started to be this years team. It started to feel like the team that had the swagger of Serbia. 

We decided that in the return match, we were going to line up in a full formation with 3 running backs and pound the rock. And pound the rock we did, it was a physical game that was an exchange of haymakers from both teams. The Rhinos command much of the game but the Seamen would not quit. It came down to the final minute as the defense made a stand and gave the offense the ball one more time. As the offense took over and drove the ball down, some solid defense and a interception ended the Seamen's hope of a comeback. Again a tough pill to swallow dropping 3 straight and losing both Derby's.

**Edit** After 3 losses the Seamen took on the #JaguarsTorino at home and lined up and pounded the rock to a big win. This set us up with a chance to still make the playoffs.

Now it was do or die time, we had to win the next game in Parma to punch a ticket to the playoffs. Man was that a weird game. The final score Milano 7 Parma 2. In a defensive slug fest, we did what we needed to do and punched our ticket into the Playoffs!!!! WHAT A RELIEF! The boys grinded out a tough victory in the hot sun. It may not have been the prettiest or easiest path to punch a ticket into the postseason but we did it the Seamen Way, with guts, grit, and attitude!!!

This last weekend we hosted the Budapest Wolves from Hungary for our 2nd European Championship Game. We started fast, scoring on the 2nd play from scrimmage on a touchdown pass from American QB Garrett Safron to Filippo Fiammenghi. And it was all Seamen from there winning in the pouring rain 43-6. 

We punched our ticket into the European Championship Final Four! We are going to Poland to represent Italy and the IFL! What an amazing feeling. From losing 3 tough games to bouncing back and clinching a spot in the playoffs and the Final Four... I am not even sure to truly put into words how to describe what an amazing experience this is. I was told that it has been 10 years since an Italian team was last represented in the Final Four. As part of the coaching staff I can say that it has been amazing to see this group of guys rally together to finish what they started. When everyone in the league started to wonder if the Seamen would even make it into the postseason or not, we figured out a way to win and get it done. 

This team has grown so much over the last 5 weeks, and they are starting to hit their stride and are peaking at just the right time. Next week we travel to Bolzano to face the Giants in the last game of the regular season before preparing for the playoffs. 

I am proud to be apart of this program excited for the guys who worked their asses off to finish strong and put themselves in such an awesome position to make some noise and finish what we started. Looking forward to whats next in this adventure of American Football in Milano and seeing what this team can accomplish together!

Football in Milano Part 2: American Football: Milano Seamen

Photo Credit: Ugljevarevic Photography

Part 2:

To say that this team is transforming is an understatement. After a slow start to the season, The #SeamenMilano have gone through some tough learning lessons with a young and explosive QB at the helm in Garrett Saffron and an emerging leader in HARD hitting SS David Guthrie. This past weekend we embarked on the long bus ride to Belgrade, Serbia for our first of 2 European Championship Qualifying matches, a bus ride that lasted 15 hours included with early morning wake up calls at the boarders to check passports. Once we arrived in Belgrade everyone looked like an excited dog that has been in a cage all day and finally gets to run around. And we all needed to stretch our legs and get out of that darn bus!

The European Championship is open to the IFL and all other league Champions and Runner Ups, they have the option to play in the European Championship or not. The Seamen after winning the Italian Football League Super Bowl in 2015 wanted to test themselves in the Euro League as they had before, and felt good about their chances this year. We were facing the SBB Vukovi Beograd who have made the Final Four the last 2 seasons. The Final Four this year is in Stockholm, Sweden. 

We checked into the Prestige Hotel which conveniently was located next to the stadium, the Seamen took over flying the Italian Flag and Seamen flag on the balcony out front letting everyone know that the Seamen have arrived! After everyone got refreashed and had some lunch a group of us headed to the city center to explore the beautiful city of Belgrade. We had a lot of fun taking pictures, picking up souvenirs, and exploring. This was a great time for the team to bond together and have a little fun. 

After film, dinner, and a short walk through I had the chance to hang out what the team without many distractions. It was interesting and fun to talk with some of the team leaders about the focus, determination, and legacy the 2016 team wanted to leave. The team was locked in and they wanted to make a statement after a slow start to the season.

The next day was hot, but the feeling of the team was ELECTRIC! It was game day and a chance for the Seamen to ball out! And ball out they did scoring 50 points in a great offensive showing, while also accruing 3 turnovers, including one takeaway returned for a touchdown by American Safety David Guthrie. The final score was 50-34 Seamen came out victorious. The Belgrade team was a strong team with a lot of talent and a very disciplined and well coached team, but the day was won by this group of guys who are so motivated and determined to make a statement about the sport here in Italy. I was also given the honor of leading the team onto the field and carrying the flag in! (pictured above)

I started this journey with the Milano Seamen in October of 2015 working out and coaching the guys. And after this long weekend with the guys away from Italy, spending a lot of time on the bus cooped up, I learned a lot about this group. These guys are true ambassadors of the sport of football in Italy. Seeing the way they sing on the bus, and live with passion and pride make me proud to be a part of this team. I truly believe in the power of sport and how it forms bonds, and teaches so many life lessons. From learning how to lead, how to follow, how to overcome challenges, and how not to be complacent when you are winning. For me personally I continue to learn a lot about the Italian culture this group of guys and appreciate how they help me with the language and teach me. 

Coming up this weekend is another big game as it is Derby week against our cross town rivals the Milano Rhinos who enter the game undefeated and the league leaders in the North Division. For all my friends in Milano please come out and support us this week at Arena Civica! Game time is 6 pm!

#ForzaSeamen #SeamenMilano #AmericanFootball #IFL #EuropeanChampionship #Italia #Milano