WFL: Clash of Titans
The game that many have been waiting for all season has arrived, featured as the World League‘s Premier World Match for Week 12. The AF#7 Milan Wild Boars (10-1-0) finished the 2018 season in 10th place with a dismal 5-8-0 record, but after some aggressive offseason trading and a stellar draft, the Boars have become one of the hottest clubs in the Association this season. Their only loss all season was an uncharacteristic upset in week 8, and 4 of their 10 wins have been by a margin of 40 points are more. They lead the Eastern Conference and can clinch the #1 seed in the playoffs and a first round bye if they can come away with a win over London, something they’ve never done in two previous meetings.
The AF#1 London Falling (8-3-0) debuted on the first edition of this season’s AF Top 25 as the #1 team in the Association, and have held that honor through 3 of 7 weeks, never falling below AF#2. They lead the World League in total scoring, and though they’ve endured 3 losses, 1 of those was by just 2 points and another by just 6, both of those to the Western Conference leaders. No stranger to big games, London was the league’s very first champion in 2012, and returned to the World Bowl again in 2015, and they’re coached by a 4-time Coach of the Year (2013, 2014, 2017, and 2018).
No matter the ultimate outcome, this one will be huge, maybe the biggest game of the year so far in the entire Association considering these franchise’s rankings and records. Vegas is giving the edge to London, but just by a hair, and both clubs have players going from Thursday through to Monday.
AF#1 London Falling – AF#7 Milan Wild Boars
8-3-0 – 10-1-0
All Time
62-51-0 – 21-16-0
Head to Head
2-0 – 0-2
Spread
+1.5 – -1.5
RESULTS
110.47 – 125.47 W
UPDATE: After trailing throughout the game, the Milan Wild Boars pulled off a come from behind upset on Sunday and Monday nights to not only defeat the best ranked team in the Association, but to advance to an 11-1 record and secure the #1 seed and 1st round bye in the Eastern Conference. London’s loss, and Old England’s victory over Scandinavia, leaves the British rivals to face each other in round 1, with their week 13 season finale games to determine who plays host.
In the Western Conference, the Youngstown Mafia pulled off their own upset against the AF#12 City of Champions, and thanks to the CoC loss, Mexico advance to 8-4 and secure the Western Conference #1 seed and first round bye after surviving a late game scare against the VooDoo. Despite the loss, City of Champions will be playoff bound with either a week 13 win as the #2 seed, or as the Points Wild Card with a loss. Youngstown’s victory, gives them a shot at #2 with a win and a CoC loss, or as the Points Wild Card – regardless of win or loss – as loong as they can stay ahead of Buenos Aires in total points (currently 1047 to 958).