World Bowl IX

World Bowl IX was the first World Bowl that didn't have the year that it was played in the title. It was the 2001 edition of NFL Europe's championship game. The site was the Amsterdam ArenA in Amsterdam, The Netherlands. On June 30, 2001, the 6-4 Berlin Thunder took on the 8-2 Barcelona Dragons. 32,116 fans witnessed Berlin's very first World Bowl title, as they pulled off an upset over the Dragons, with a final score of 24-17. Thunder QB Jonathan Quinn earned MVP honors with his performance (25/38 for 308 Yards with 3 Touchdowns and 2 Interceptions).

Background
Prior to this World Bowl, the Dragons swept the regular season series against the Thunder (21-14 on the road and 55-35 at home).

Game summary
After both teams failed to score on either of their respective opening drives, the Thunder struck first with Scott Bentley getting four points on a 53-yard field goal. Near the end of the quarter, the Dragons got on the board as Jesus Angoy kicked a 20-yard field goal. In the second quarter, the Dragons got the lead for the first time of the game with Angoy kicking a 29-yard field goal on Barcelona's opening drive of the second quarter. On their next possession, the Dragons got the ball at their own 19-yard line. Despite an impressive drive, consisting of 12 plays and covering 65 yards, the Thunder defense made the Dragons kick a 33-yard field goal instead. Nearing the end of the half, Jonathan Quinn and the Thunder responded with a 4-play, 67-yard drive that ended with a 46-yard pass to Dwaune Jones. Howeve, the two-point conversion pass to Ahmad Merritt was overthrown and no good. So, the score at halftime was 10-9, in favor of the Thunder. In the only score of the third quarter, the Dragons used their second drive of the half to cover 74 yards on just 4 plays and cap it off with a 58-yard pass from Dragons QB Jarious Jackson to Tony Simmons. Afterwards, Jackson managed to complete a two-point conversion by passing to Trevor Insley. Trailing 17-10 going into the fourth quarter, Berlin needed to get a least a touchdown with a successful PAT in order to [at least] tie. The Thunder would manage to get a 7-play, 68-yard drive and end it with a 17-yard pass to Merritt (making up for the missed two-point). After Axel Kruse nailed the extra point, the score was tied 17-17. On their next possession, the Thunder would use the opportunity to strike, as Quinn threw the game-winning 53-yard TD pass to Jones. After Kruse nailed the extra point, Berlin would hold off the following Dragon drive and win their very first World Bowl title in franchise history.

Scoring summary

 * BER - Scott Bentley 53 yd FG 9:32 1st (BER 4-0)
 * BAR - Jesus Angoy 20 yd FG 14:10 1st (BER 4-3)
 * BAR - Jesus Angoy 29 yd FG 3:39 2nd (BAR 6-4)
 * BAR - Jesus Angoy 33 yd FG 12:30 2nd (BAR 9-4)
 * BER - Dwaune Jones 46 yd TD pass from Jonathan Quinn (conversion failed) 13:57 2nd (BER 10-9)
 * BAR - Tony Simmons 58 yd TD pass from Jarious Jackson (Trevor Insley 2-pt conversion pass from Jarious Jackson) 6:52 3rd (BAR 17-10)
 * BER - Ahmad Merritt 17 yd TD pass from Jonathan Quinn (Bentley kick) 5:13 4th (17-17)
 * BER - Dwaune Jones 53 yd TD pass from Jonathan Quinn (Bentley kick) 10:52 4th (BER 24-17)