Roster Complete - Mission #RunItBack Begins
Week 1 is in the books. While the Vienna Vikings, Stuttgart Surge, and Seamen Milano had a bye week, the other 14 teams of the European League of Football were active during the opening weekend - surprises included. The Wroclaw Panthers defeated the 2022 runner-up, the Hamburg Sea Devils. The Barcelona Dragons defeated the league newcomers from Switzerland, the Helvetic Guards. Both Saturday's winners were not widely predicted by experts.
For the Vikings franchise, the ELF Season 2023 starts on Sunday, June 11, away in Berlin. The kickoff against Berlin Thunder will take place at 1:00 PM, and the Vienna Champions' season opener can be watched live on Pro7 Maxx starting from 12:45 PM, streamed on JOYN, or through the European League of Football Gamepass.
Eastern Conference Update
The franchise team from Berlin already started their season with an impressive away win in Szekesfehervar. The Breslau Panthers also celebrated a victory in their opener, defeating the Hamburg Sea Devils who were considered stronger. In the Eastern Conference duel between Leipzig and Prague, the Kings prevailed with an 18-15 victory in the Golden City. Thus, the Vikings are the only team in the Eastern Conference that has not played yet.
Despite that, Meistertrainer Calaycay still warns against underestimating the newcomers in the Eastern Conference - the Fehervar Enthroners and Prague Lions. "We must not underestimate the new teams. We were also the new team last year."
The Champions' Roster
The Vienna Vikings' season roster consists of 56 players. The final personnel announcement was made on Saturday with the addition of running back Anton Wegan. Head Coach Chris Calaycay must announce the active roster of 53 players every Wednesday in a gameweek. Another cut to 46 players will be made on Fridays. "We must carefully consider which 46 players we will put on the gameday roster as a coaching staff. Our focus is now on the first game in Berlin. That is the most important thing," said HC Calaycay.
A closer look at the Vienna Vikings' roster reveals only 15 "new" names. The franchise prioritizes continuity, following the motto "Never change a winning team!" Among the newcomers are key players such as quarterback Chris Helbig, defensive end Jamarcus Henderson, running back Karri Pajarinen, wide receiver Radim Kalous, and defensive back Elmeri Laalo. The other import players, a total of ten allowed under the franchise, were already with the Viennese in 2022, even though players like WR Weston Carr or OL Matthias Stockamp could not participate in the previous season due to injuries. The Vikings have also signed homegrown talents, including Philipp Dubravec, Valentin Leutgeb, Max Morawetz, and Mike Janda. "We enter this season with a very good roster, the team chemistry is there. We have reliable and important leaders among the players," said Head Coach Chris Calaycay, whose team elected its team captains last Thursday.