[MIJB#19]

2081 week 1: Merchantmen sneak by Vineyards
The Maassluis Merchantmen are off to a good start. Despite defensive struggles, the Merchantmen came home with a 30-24 overtime victory at the Bordeaux Vineyards. Ellis McAlister and Walt Blair tried to make the best of their farewell season. McAlister completed 21 of 37 passes for 267 yards and 2 touchdowns with 1 pick, while Blair carried 28 times for 119 yards and 2 touchdowns.

Reality was simple: Bordeaux was the better team out there, but an early missed field goal in regulation, the traditional strong pass rush throughout the game and an interception too many in overtime reshuffled the cards just enough to give Maassluis a chance to squeak by. The Merchantmen shrugged at it, their season started with a 1 in the W-column. That's all that matters.

European division in action:
Maassluis 30, Bordeaux 24 (OT, @ Bordeaux)
Paris 48, Gothenburg 38 (@ Paris)

Standings
1. Paris 1-0
2. Maassluis 1-0
3. Bordeaux 0-1
4. Gothenburg 0-1

Next up:
Paris vs Williamsburg (1-0), 10-point favorites
Maassluis vs Frederick (0-1), 5-point favorites
Bordeaux at Brooklyn (0-1), 11-point favorites
Gothenburg at Chesapeake (1-0), 9-point underdogs