The Thunder are out of contention and the Cowboys have only slim hope remaining, but the game between these teams still means something, especially for the home team from Zagreb.
Among the numerous 20-point, 30-point, and even 60 and 70 point losses, during Zagreb’s 0-14 run in the last two years, there is a game against the Cowboys from last season. Like they will this week, the Thunder hosted the Cowboys last year, and standing at 0-6 after a tough 1-point loss to the Dukes, they again lost, again by a single point.
They haven’t been closer to a win since then, and in fact, it could be said their season has thus far been even worse than last year when they lost all their games. This season they played four games, most of them against teams that really are better, but they weren’t down only when the scores was 0-0, and they never threatened except maybe for a half in their first game.
It could all change this Saturday, against a team that faded quickly after an impressive start and is only a miracle away from qualifying for the playoffs. Since miracles don’t happen often, the Thunder could be the team with a bigger motive, as they are hoping to end their long losing streak.
After losing to the Silverhawks, the Cowboys are now last in the group. The only reason why they aren’t officially out, is because no one else has a winning record in the group, though at 1-4 their chances are small, at best. On top of everything, during the game against the Silverhawks, they lost one of their best player, running back Andre Bynoe because of a serious ankle sprain.
Two weeks from that game will pass when they come to Zagreb to play the Thunder, and whether Bynoe plays or not will be known once the game starts. If not, and even if he plays, it’s likely he won’t be totally ready, the Thunder’s chances even go up in the game that is probably their best shot at winning a game this season. Since it’s probably their last chance also – with two games against the Blue Devils and a game against the Vukovi remaining – they better take it.