The Paris Musketeers outlasted the Munich Ravens in a 40-37 shootout in the first ever playoff game for both teams at the Stade de Hainaut in Valenciennes, France. With the win, Paris advanced to the European League of Football semifinals against the Vienna Vikings.

Paris got the ball first and moved down the field efficiently before reaching the end zone on a touchdown pass from Zach Edwards to Austin Mitchell.  But Munich responded, as Chad Jeffries found Sixten Dragan for a 12-yard touchdown pass to even the score.  In the second quarter, the Musketeers found the end zone again on a rushing touchdown from Edwards.  As the game approached halftime, Munich drove downfield and punched it into the end zone with only seconds remaining, as defensive lineman Etuale Lui barged in from a yard out.  But on the ensuing kickoff, Mitchell stunned the Ravens by taking it to the house on a 96 yard kickoff return, reclaiming the lead for Paris just before halftime.

On the first play of the second half, Tomiwa Oyewo of the Ravens dashed for a 74-yard touchdown and retook the lead for Munich.  Paris’s offense wasn’t discouraged, as they responded with a 21-yard touchdown scamper from running back Chris Voumbo, along with a two-point conversion for a 27-20 lead.  But Munich responded with their own kickoff return touchdown courtesy of Jon Cole, tying the score at 27. In the fourth quarter, Voumbo found the end zone again from 35 yards out to reclaim the lead for the home team.  However, the Ravens offense responded to snatch back the lead, as Jeffries found Malik Stanley in the end zone. The Musketeers then put together perhaps the most impressive drive of the franchise’s existence, marching down the field in the waning minutes of the game, and Voumbo got his third rushing touchdown of the game with 42 seconds remaining to put Paris up 40-37.  The Musketeers defense held on to clinch the victory for Paris, much to the delight of the Red Company and passionate fanbase.

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