- World Bowl XI
World Bowl XI was NFL Europe's 2003 championship game. It was played at
Hampden Park inGlasgow, Scotland on June 14, 2003. The game was between the 6-4Rhein Fire and the 6-4Frankfurt Galaxy . The Fire was hoping to avenge last year's loss to Berlin, while the Galaxy was looking for their first World Bowl title since 1999. 28,138 fans were in attendance, as the Galaxy easily won 35-16 over the Fire. Galaxyrunning back Jonas Lewis earnedMost Valuable Player honors, when he ran 16 times for 126 yards (World Bowl record) and a touchdown, with his longest run being 42 yards.Background
The Fire won the first meeting 14-7 in Düsseldorf, while the Galaxy won the second meeting 38-7 in Frankfurt.
Game summary
The Galaxy drew first blood with a 4-point field goal, which was
Jon Hilbert 's 53-yard attempt. On their next attempt, Galaxyquarterback James Brown led his team 8-play, 79-yard drive that ended with Lewis running the ball in from a yard out. The Fire tried to responded with a touchdown, but Frankfurt's defense made them settle for a 39-yard field goal byTodd France . In the second quarter, after the Fire goofed a punt attempt, Frankfurt quarterbackQuinn Gray led his team on a 3-play, 15-yard drive and he concluded it with a 10-yard pass towide receiver Marc Lester . Again, the Fire tried to respond with a touchdown of their own, but again, the Galaxy defense made them settle for another field goal, which was a 31-yarder byIngo Anderbrügge . Afterwards, the Galaxy would quickly respond with a 3-play, 79-yard drive that ended with running backRobert Gillespie running 29 yards for a touchdown. With only two minutes left until halftime, the Fire desperately needed a touchdown to keep up with Frankfurt. At first, their drive showed promise as they started from their own 44-yard line and managed to get to Frankfurt's 9-yard line. Unfortunately, the drive stalled once the Fire got there and they had to settle for 27-yard field goal by Anderbrügge. At halftime, the Galaxy had a comfortable 25-9 lead over the Fire. In the third quarter, Rhein got the ball to begin the second half and on their opening drive and the Fire managed to get to Frankfurt's 1-yard line. However, they failed to get the ball in on 3rd & goal. Then, on 4th & goal, Fire centerDustin Keith fumbled the ball and Galaxydefensive tackle Daniel Benetka managed to recover the ball, preventing Rhein from another touchdown opportunity. After Benetka got the ball for Frankfurt, Brown lead his team on a 10-play, 99-yard drive that ended with that ended with runnin backAdam Tate running in for a 1-yard touchdown strike. Heading into the fourth quarter, the Fire trailed 32-9 and only a miracle could save any hope of Rhein winning another World Bowl title. Alas, the Galaxy would just kick a 34-yard field goal byRalf Kleinmann to increase their lead and make the score 35-9. Even though the Rhein Fire would finally respond with a 5-yard touchdown pass fromChris Greisen toDwayne Blakely , it was too little, too late for the Fire. When the official clock reached 00:00, the Galaxy celebrated their third World Bowl victory in franchise history.Scoring summary
Linescore Amfootball
Road=Rhein
R1=3
R2=6
R3=0
R4=7
RT=16
Home=Frankfurt
H1=11
H2=14
H3=7
H4=3
HT=35
*Frankfurt - 4-Point FG Hilbert 53 yd 2:55 1st
*Frankfurt - TD Lewis 1 yd 9:18 1st
*Rhein - FG France 39 yd 14:04 1st
*Frankfurt - TD Lester 20 yd pass from Gray 5:07 2nd
*Rhein - FG Anderbrügge 31 yd 11:18 2nd
*Frankfurt - TD Gillespie 29 yd run 12:54 2nd
*Rhein - FG Anderbrügge 27 yd 15:00 2nd
*Frankfurt - TD Tate 1 yd run 11:47 3rd
*Frankfurt - FG Kleinmann 34 yd 10:23 4th
*Rhein - TD Blakley 47 yd pass from Greisen 13:05 4thExternal links
* [http://www.nfleurope.com/worldbowl/history/2003 World Bowl XI on NFL Europe.com]
* [http://touchdownclaymores.com/more.php?id=87_0_1_0_C Game Summary & Recap]
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