Parma Panthers vs. Bolzano Giants 21-20

Parma, June 13, 2010 – The Panthers defeat 21-20 the Giants Bolzano and advance to the Super Bowl.

Parma started the game in the worst possible way, allowing a touchdown on the opponent first possession (a 19 yards run of Reginald Greene).
On the next drive, Panther QB Joe Craddock fumbled the ball and the Giants took over with short field.
One play later, Reginald Greene scored his second TD of the day with a 32 yards run.
Parma finally went on the scoreboard with a 7 yd pass to WR Gasparri, that capped off a drive where the key play was a run for more than 40 yards of QB Craddock.

After a couple of punts, Panthers cornerback Michele Fumarola picked off Gessel, setting up a drive capped off with a 9 yards pass from Craddock to Diaferia. The first half ended with both teams tied at 14.

The third quarter started badly for Parma, when WR McIntyre lost the ball on the kick-off return attempt and the Giants took over just outside the Panthers red zone. But Parma defense stepped up, forcing a turn-over on downs.
After a couple of punt exchanges, Parma had the change to take the lead with a big play from Craddock to McIntyre, but the play came back for a penalty and the Panthers were forced to punt.
On the following drive, Giants RB Greene scored his third TD, with a 13 yards run. But the ensuing extra-point sealed wide left, leaving the Giants with a 6 points lead.
Parma answered immediately with a 58 yards TD run of QB Joe Craddock. Andrea Vergazzoli PAT kick was good and Parma went ahead by 1 point (21-20).
With still 5 minutes to go, the Giants tried to come back, but Panthers defense forced a turn-over on downs inside the two minutes warning.
Parma then run out the clock with a first down run of Hay and a couple of kneel down.

The other semifinal ended with a 27 to 14 win for the Catania Elephants over the Bergamo Lions.
So, on June 26 in Sesto San Giovanni (Milan), the Panthers will face the Elephants. Kick-off at 6.30pm CET.

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