The Firenze Red Lions officially entered the history books on Saturday, taking the field for the first game in franchise history in the American Football League Europe. Despite a 30-8 loss to the Paris Lights, the Lions showed promising signs and plenty of character in the opening chapter of their journey.
Firenze came out with energy and confidence from the opening kickoff. After a series of special teams mistakes from both sides, the Red Lions capitalized on favorable field position and struck first. Quarterback Matthew McKay scored the first touchdown in franchise history on a one-yard rushing play before connecting with Devin Carter on the two-point conversion to give Firenze an early 8-0 lead.
The defense also made its presence felt during the opening stages of the game, playing aggressively and disrupting Paris’ offensive rhythm. For much of the first quarter, the Red Lions appeared composed and in control, showcasing the identity they have been building throughout training camp.
The game was overshadowed by a serious injury suffered by Hungarian defensive back Szabolcs Szöllösi, resulting in a lengthy delay. The entire Firenze Red Lions organization extends its full support and best wishes to Szabolcs for a complete and speedy recovery.
Following the interruption, momentum gradually shifted in favor of the home team. Paris found consistency on offense and managed to capitalize on key opportunities, while Firenze struggled to maintain the rhythm established early in the contest. The Lights’ defense increased the pressure and limited the Red Lions’ ability to generate explosive plays, ultimately creating the separation reflected in the final score.
While the result was not the one Firenze hoped for, the game marked an important milestone for the franchise. It was the first official step for a new organization built over recent months through a demanding training camp and a roster assembled from talented players across Italy and abroad.
For the Red Lions, this was more than just a football game—it was the beginning of a long-term project and the first opportunity to compete together on the AFLE stage.
The team will now return to work, learn from the experience, and focus on continuing its development as the season moves forward.
The first chapter has been written. Now the work continues.
