The Vienna Vikings have reached the postseason in their first year joining the European League of Football. However, they will have to win against the Barcelona Dragons for a third time this year to advance to the 2022 Championship Game in Klagenfurt on 25th September. 

In an interview, Vikings head coach Chris Calaycay noted that his team is ready and excited for the playoff matchup. “Of course, we are excited for a playoff game. A home playoff game for our fans, players and organization is a great accomplishment in the first season in the European League of Football.” 

However, Calaycay also explained that reaching the playoffs meant a lot of work and late nights for coaches, the players, and the rest of the Vikings staff. “We have been working hard to get to this point as a whole franchise and it was one of our goals when we started this whole journey. Number one was to make the playoffs, number two was to win our conference, number three was to win and make it to the final, number four was to win it all. We are on track to check off another goal, but we have to play outstanding football this weekend to take our next step in this journey.“ 

Can the Vikings go 3-0 against the Dragons this weekend?

As already mentioned, the Vikings won the last two matchups between the Dragons and the Vikings in this year’s regular season. But in the interview, Calaycay pointed at the fact that it is always hard to win, no matter what. “Winning any game is hard […]. Let the chess match begin, but staffs and players know each other well and it will come down to the little changes that each side make in game plans and adjustments in game.” 

For Calaycay, not the Dragons strengths but his team’s mentality is important to win this playoff matchup. “For sure it will be the players on the field in a playoff environment,” Calaycay explained what the most difficult aspect of the upcoming matchup will be. „Even though we are playing in a new venue for the first time with this team, I believe the comfort level of our players and this team will allow them to let it loose and be themselves. If we do this then we will give ourselves an opportunity for the European League of Football Championship.”

As far as opportunity is concerned, Calaycay also underlined what it would mean to the Viking franchise if they reach the 2022 Championship Game. “Opportunity. That is what the European League of Football has given to football in Europe and in Austria,” Calaycay explained. “It has given all of us the opportunity to present American Football in Austria to the rest of Europe and the world. [Playing in the Championship Game] will give our new franchise the opportunity to present itself as one of the top football programs in Europe and that we produce a product that is undeniably the best in Europe. We are all excited, humbled and honored to be in a position to realize all of these goals, but one step and week at a time, this week is all that matters right now.”

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