World Footy News

Grand Final re-matches, barnstorming come-from-behind victories, exciting debuts, scintillating footy and the sounds of leather hitting boots. No, we are not talking about the battlegrounds of the MCG or Etihad Stadium – this is footy in France, and the new season has kicked off in stunning style across the nation.

Last year the Perpignan Tigers won many admirers with a break out season which saw then just miss out on finals action. They won more yesterday when they launched a stunning comeback against the Toulouse Hawks in the double header at the Stade Robert Barran (Robert Barran Stadium) in Toulouse. For the most part, Toulouse held sway across the first three quarters, but the Tigers were far from finished and stormed home to win an absolute thriller by just four points. Final score saw the Perpignan Tigers 86 down Toulouse 82.

In the earlier game in Toulouse, the new kids on the block – the Blagnac Aviators – took on the Bordeaux Bombers in the first ever “Aviation Challenge”. In the end it was the Bombers supreme with a 40 point win over the debutants, but Blagnac can be proud of their highly competitive debut. Final score saw the Bordeaux Bombers 109 defeat the Blagnac Aviators 69.

Further north in Paris, the Grand Final re-match was contested between the Paros Cockatoos and the Cergy Pontoise Coyotes. The Cockatoos made the most of conditions and got away to a handy lead at quarter time before being reeled back in by the Coyotes by half time. Again, the Cockatoos snuck away in the third quarter, going into the final quarter with a narrow four point lead, but it wasn’t enough to hold back the Coyotes. The final score saw the Cergy Pontoise Coyotes hold on by 17 points with a 104 to 87 victory.

The scheduled match between the paris Cockerels and the Strasbourg Kangourous did not go ahead with the Kangourous withdrawing from the competition until further notice.

Footy continues next weekend when the ALFA Lions host the Toulouse Hawks in Lyon. The Bordeaux Bombers will also play host to the Paris Cockerels.