Mid-Week Report: After Berlin comes Prague
The next weekend of matches in the European League of Football is just around the corner. In Week 3 of the ELF, the reigning champions from Vienna go into their second game of the season. In the much-anticipated home opener on Saturday, June 17, Head Coach Chris Calaycay's professional team will host the Prague Lions. Kickoff at the Generali Arena is at 6 pm. The pre-game party goes off already from 14 clock in front of the stadium with free admission.
.The Vienna Vikings successfully mastered the season opener in Berlin. In the Friedrich-Ludwig-Jahn-Sportpark, the ELF champion from Vienna defeated the hosts, Berlin Thunder, with 27:24. In Berlin, the guest game of the Vienna Vikings franchise also provided a new record number of spectators: 4,814 fans had come to see the reigning champion play against Thunder.
In the first two quarters, the Vikings dominated the home side, leaving the previously highly praised Berlin offense hardly any chances. The Berlin franchise managed offensively in half one only one field goal, while the Vikings offense started very productive. The Finnish running back in the Vienna ranks, Karri Pajarinen, scored the Vikings' first touchdown of the 2023 season with a true Angry Run. The axis QB Chris Helbig to WR Jordan Bouah worked flawlessly twice. A field goal by Dennis Tasic, who also scored both PATs, gave the 24:3 intermission score in favor of the guests.
After a scoreless third quarter, things got exciting again in the final quarter of the game. The Berliners pulled the momentum on their side and equalized courageously, which also delighted the 4,814 spectators (new franchise record) in the stadium. In the last and decisive drive of the Vikings, the men around QB Chris Helbig acted ice-cold, marched thanks to important first-down catches by Bierbaumer in field goal range, where Tasic completed his 100% of the day and kicked the game-winning FG four seconds.
.Looking forward to first home game in 2023
On Saturday, June 17, the Vienna Vikings welcome not only the Prague Lions to a duel, but also thousands of football fans to a gameday of the extra class. "It could be the most attended Vikings game ever," said co-managing director Lukas Leitner with a smile. "The event team has put a lot of work and preparation into the attractions of the pre-game area as well as the entertainment program off the field. We want to wow our guests with not only the best football, but also the best gameday. Thanks to our terrific partners, first and foremost a big thanks goes to the Austrian Armed Forces, I am more than confident that we will succeed in this at the Home Opener." Both the north and south stands of the Generali Arena are on ticket sale. A total of just under 1,000 tickets are still available.
On the sports side, the week's preparations are going well. The in-season training mode is already in full swing. However, Head Coach Chris Calaycay will have to do without two important, team pillars for the Czech-Austrian capital duel. Defensive lineman Florian Sudi has been placed on Inactive. A knuckle injury forces the athletic Styrian to take a break for a few weeks. More than just a few weeks 'break' Thomas Schnurrer will unfortunately have to endure. The ELF All-Star 2022 and team captain suffered a knee injury in the game against Berlin, which unfortunately requires surgery and several months of recovery. Unfortunately, this means an early season exit for Schnurrer. "It's a blow to us, humanly AND athletically. Thomas is the best linebacker in Europe and we will miss him. Speedy Recovery, Captain!", said HC Chris Calaycay.
Otherwise, the champion coach can draw from a full roster, especially on the offensive side of the ball, QB Chris Helbig, RB Karri Pajarinen and WR Radim Kalous, among others, are looking forward to making their Vikings debuts in front of the home crowd.
Roster Moves - Week 3
#40 Thomas Schnurrer - Out For Season
#95 Florian Sudi - Inactive
#91 Kelechi Dyke – Released