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World Bowl X
Saturday 22 June 2002
Rheinstadion, Dusseldorf
Final Score: Rhein Fire 20 - 26 Berlin Thunder


Berlin QB Todd Husak prepares to pass
Photo: Steve Russam
Defending champion Berlin Thunder forgot about their 0-3 start to the season as they edged into position to make the Bowl game on the back of a three game winning streak to end the regular season, just pipping Frankfurt into second place.

Rhein, who also opened the season with a loss, quickly made up for it by finishing the season 7-3 including two victories over rival Frankfurt. The Fire desparetely wanted to win the final game to be played in the Rheinstadion before it was demolished the following month.

Berlin continued their impressive last season form into the first half intercepting Fire QB Tee Martin near midfield to set up Danny Boyd's 47 yard field goal for a 3-0 lead early.

On it's next drive, the Thunder offense matched the defensive performance, when recieving the ball at it's own 15 yard line steadily marched downfield. Todd Husak passes of 10 and 3 yards to Dane Looker combined with Anthony White's 19 yards rushing on the drive took Berlin to the Fire 41 yard line. From 1st and 10, Husak fired over the middle finding Dane Looker at the 28 yard line who turned and sprinted to the endzone. The extra point extended the lead to 10.


Jamal Robertson is tackled by Thunder linebacker Jude Waddy
Photo: Steve Russam
Once again, the Fire were unable to move the ball. Tee Martin was picked off on a wayward pass by linebacker Keith Adams. Adams returned the ball 43 yards to the Rhein 10 yard line giving the Thunder offense a golden opportunity to put the game well beyond the Fires reach as early as the end of the first quarter.

However, Husak was unable to connect with his receivers on the short field and the Thunder had to settle for a 27 yard field goal from German kicker Axel Kruse.

The second quarter started slowly with the teams exchanging punts. However, it was Berlin again who took the initiative after Rhein were ruled short on fourth and 1 at their own 30 yard line gave the Thunder excellent field position.


Fire back Jamal Robertson prepares to receive the ball
Photo: Steve Russam
Berlin moved to the Rhein 15 yard line helped by a 5 yard penalty for neutral zone infraction before the two minute warning. On the first play following the warning, Husak made what looked like an optimistic throw towards Looker in the left corner of the endzone. Looker pulled in the ball over the head of Fire DB Earthwind Moreland for the score at the goal line. The extra point was good taking the Thunders half time lead to 20-0.

Whether it was a different Fire team that played in the second half or if they suddenly realised they were in a 20 point hole, Rhein began the second half looking much stronger. Although their first drive halted prematurely, on their next possession, they moved the ball the 47 yard to the endzone effectively. Tee Martin hit RB Jamal Robertson for 26 yards to set up first and goal on the Berlin 6. Tony Taylor took the handoff and ran right to the endzone for the score. 20-7 Berlin.

Berlin replied almost immediately with a 45 yard field goal from Danny Boyd but it was Rhein who now had the momentum. On their next drive, QB Martin led the Fire 65 yards to hit Scott Cloman for the final 2 yards and the score. Martin's pass to Oyeniran Ojo fell incomplete to leave the Fire trailing by just 10 with 10 minutes left in the game.

Again, Berlin replied with swift possession culminating in a 38 yard field goal from Kicker Danny Boyd, his third of the game, but the Fire, were as their name suggests, showing heat.


Tee Martin scores from a yard out as CB Ahmad Hawkins looks on
Photo: Steve Russam
Tee Martin scrambled on fourth down to get to the Berlin 7 but was short of first down. However, Rhein stopped Husak and the Thunder offense giving themselved 2:06 to score twice.

It took 1:46 and 69 yards as Martin kept the ball from the Berlin 1 and dived up the middle for the touchdown. Mannfred Burgsmuller, in his final game, kicked the extra point to make the score 26-20 and set up a tense final minute. Rhein attempted a onside kick which safety Deke Cooper recovered to give Martin a final shot at glory.

On first down from his own 41 yard line, Martin was sacked for a 5 yard loss by Marico Gregerson and Cleveland Pinkney. With just 2 seconds left, Martin's hail mary pass fell incomplete well short of the endzone allowing coach Peter Vaas and the Thunder to celebrate the retention of their title. 
      FINAL                1ST  2ND  3RD  4TH  TOTAL
                           ---  ---  ---  ---  -----
      BERLIN                13    7    3    3   26
      RHEIN                  0    0    7   13   20     FINAL

      SCORING SUMMARY

      1ST QUARTER: BER - FG, DANNY BOYD 47 YD, 3:28. BERLIN 3-0
                   BER - TD, DANE LOOKER 41 YD PASS FROM TODD 
                             HUSAK (AXEL KRUSE KICK), 9:59. 
                             BERLIN 10-0
                   BER - FG, AXEL KRUSE 27 YD, 14:01. BERLIN 
                             13-0
      2ND QUARTER: BER - TD, DANE LOOKER 15 YD PASS FROM TODD 
                             HUSAK (AXEL KRUSE KICK), 13:04. 
                             BERLIN 20-0
      3RD QUARTER: RHE - TD, TONY TAYLOR 6 YD RUN (JASON WITZCAK
                             KICK), 10:21. BERLIN 20-7
                   BER - FG, DANNY BOYD 45 YD, 14:34. BERLIN 
                             23-7
      4TH QUARTER: RHE - TD, SCOTT CLOMAN 2 YD PASS FROM TEE 
                             MARTIN (TWO-POINT CONVERSION 
                             FAILED), 4:20. BERLIN 23-13
                   BER - FG, DANNY BOYD 38 YD, 7:00. BERLIN 
                             26-13
                   RHE - TD, TEE MARTIN 1 YD RUN (MANFRED 
                             BURGSMULLER KICK), 14:40. BERLIN 
                             26-20

                               BER            RHE
                          --------       --------
FIRST DOWNS                     21             11
Rushing                          6              9
Passing                         15              2
Penalty                          0              0
3RD-DOWN EFFICIENCY           5-14           6-13
4TH-DOWN EFFICIENCY            0-0            0-3
TOTAL NET YARDS                274            333
Total plays                     60             67
Average gain                   4.6              5
NET YARDS RUSHING               74             57
Rushes                          22             23
Average per rush               3.4            2.5
NET YARDS PASSING              200            276
Completed-attempted          20-38          24-43
Yards per pass                 5.3            6.4
Sacked-yards lost              0-0            1-5
Had intercepted                  1              2
PUNTS-AVERAGE               4-31.5         3-42.7
RETURN YARDAGE                  50              6
Punts-returns                  2-4            0-0
Kickoffs-returns              3-95          7-123
Interceptions-returns         2-46            1-6
PENALTIES-YARDS               3-15           6-45
FUMBLES-LOST                   1-0            1-0
TIME OF POSSESSION           32:14          27:46

Missed field goals: None.

BERLIN rushing: Anthony White 20-70, Tim Hasselbeck 1-3, Todd Husak 
1-1.

RHEIN rushing: Tony Taylor 10-24, Tee Martin 4-18, D.J. Dinkins 1-10, 
Jamal Robertson 7-5, Dirk Johnson 1-0.

BERLIN passing: Todd Husak 18-34 for 176 yards, 1 INT, 2 TD. Tim 
Hasselbeck 2-4 for 24 yards, 0 INT, 0 TD.

RHEIN passing: Tee Martin 24-43 for 281 yards, 2 INT, 1 TD.

BERLIN receiving: Dane Looker 11-111, Kwame Cavil 1-27, Anthony White 
3-25, Joerg Heckenbach 1-15, Kenny Christian 2-12, Ivan Mercer 1-7, 
Jeff Kostrewa 1-3.

RHEIN receiving: Jimmy Robinson 9-147, Scott Cloman 7-73, Onome Ojo 
2-16, Jamal Robertson 3-16, Mark Thomas 1-14, Oyeniran Olalere Odunayo
Ojo 1-10, Tony Taylor 1-5.

Att: 53,109   Time of Game: 2:56