The Coventry Cassidy Jets open their 2009 season in Zürich on Saturday as they face a Renegades team that have already begun their domestic season. A comfortable 31-6 victory over the Geneva Seahawks will have the reigning Swiss Champions in confident mood as they welcome the British Champions to the Stadion Buchholz.
Saturday's game will mark the fourth time the Jets have played away in European competition and they'll be looking to improve on their record of 1 win and 2 defeats. Both of those defeats have come on Austrian soil with the lone victory being the 21-13 triumph in Oslo last season. 
General Manager Will White was in confident mood at the Jets penultimate training session before heading to the Continent. "I think we can win this whole thing. We've lost a few pieces from the team last season but we've plugged those holes & then some". White alluded to the loss of Britbowl MVP Dax Michelina who has returned to Norway to play Eurobowl for Eidsvoll 1814s. Further departures include defensive captain Craig Pennington and free safety Stuart Ennis.
After the transfer debacle surrounding Luke and Liam Smith's arrival and subsequent departure, the Jets have decided not to formally announce any of their new arrivals until after the season has commenced. Secretary Adam Etheridge explained the decision "The boys had signed and it was a done deal. Frankly, the timing of their decision was an embarrassment to the club and one we won't allow to be repeated. Having said that though, all of the other guys that have arrived over the summer are 100% committed to the team and to winning football games".
If the Jets are to qualify for the EFAF Cup Semi-Final they'll have to do it the hard way. As well as requiring victory in Switzerland this weekend, Coventry will likely have to follow that up by defeating the reigning Czech Champions, the Prague Panthers on May 16th. The trip to the Czech Republic comes just 6 days after the Jets open their domestic season at home to a Bristol Aztecs team that they have beaten in all 5 meetings, including 3 playoff victories.