Das Franchise aus Hamburg, das bereits 2021 im Finale der ELF stand, schloss den Grunddurchgang mit einem 11-1 Record ab. Im Halbfinale in der Hansestadt liessen die Sea Devils den Raiders Tirol keine Chance und lösten ihrerseits das Finalticket für das Championship Game in Klagenfurt.
Kickoff in der 28 Black Arena am schönen Wörthersee ist am Sonntag, dem 25. September um 14:45 Uhr. Puls4 Sport und Pro7 Maxx übertragen live, weitere Fernsehstationen aus Ungarn, Spanien, Polen, der Türkei, Italien, China und den USA sind zusätzliche übertragende TV-Sender.
Klagenfurt im Zeichen des American Football mit viel Fan Action und Side Events
Das gesamte Wochenende steht in Klagenfurt im Zeichen des American Football. Ein Football Experience Day, eine ausgedehnte Pre Game Party inklusive der Verleihung der MVP Awards, eine Fan Huddle Party und das Championship Game mit anschließender Siegerparty sollen zigtausende Fans in die Kärtner Landeshauptstadt locken.
Auch das Wiener Franchise hostet einen kleinen Side-Event, den Co-Owner und Rechtsanwalt Robin Lumsden initiierte. Zum Vienna Vikings Mixer powered by Lumsden & Partners sind Liga-Vertreter sowie Manager und Owner aller Franchises in der European League of Football geladen – auch die der Neo-Teams aus München, Mailand, Zürich und Budapest, die 2023 ihre Premierensaison in der ELF feiern werden.
Für Spieler und Coaches der Vienna Vikings freilich liegt der gesamte Fokus des Wochenendes auf dem Finalspiel. Zwei Wochen lang bereitete man sich intensiv auf Game & Gegner vor. Zahlreiche Meetings, Videoanalysen und insgesamt sechs Trainingseinheiten auf dem Feld standen auf dem Programm, ehe das Team mit Bussen am Samstag Morgen Richtung Klagefurt abfährt.
Stimmen vor dem Spiel
Head Coach Chris Calaycay
„This is the showdown that has been building all season long and one that the League and the fans want to see. The two teams team with the best regular season record, an Austrian and a German franchise that haven’t faced each other in the ELF. This makes of an incredible amount of excitement surrounding the final. All of this is great for the fans and football in Europe, but for us this is another opportunity to represent Vienna and the Vikings franchise together. We have a tremendous team and all year we have approached each game with the mentality of going 1-0, this doesn’t change for us. It is going to be a battle of two great teams and I wouldn’t want it either way, that is what a championship game should be.“
Offensive Coordinator Danny Mitchell
„First and foremost, we are so proud of our Vikings franchise and thankful for each person it took to get here. All the credit goes to our exceptional players, our dedicated administration and our loyal fans. As we prepare to compete in our first ever ELF Championship game, our approach and goal will stay the same: We are going to do everything in our power to be 1-0 again. We love each other and it’s our final opportunity this season to show how hard we’ll fight for each other.“
Defensive Coordinator Daniel Auböck
„As we prepare for this championship game one thing is clear – it will be a tough, hard fought game that will come down to the wire! As a defense our goal is to do what hasnt been done this season – Stop the sea devils run game. A hard task, no doubt – but we will come prepared, with a hard nosed mindset and the willingness to match hamburgs intensity and toughness on every snap. Our defense has been overlooked all year – we will give everything in our power to change that narrative once and for all on sunday.“
Runningback Anton Wegan
„I am excited to get to play one more time with my brothers and to play on such a big stage in our home country is even more special. Our goal is to get that trophy of course, we didn’t get this far to just be here. We are going to give it our all to win the championship.“
Quarterback Jackson Erdmann
„The goal is the same since the beginning of the season, to win the championship. We are all very excited to make the championship game, but we are far from satisfied. I am so proud of this team. We have come along way and been through a lot of adversity. This is a special team and we’re excited to finish the season with a win, together.“
Tickets für Schnellentschlosse gibt es hier
