Calaycay vs. Neuman: Old friends, new rivals

A Championship Game is always electrifying, but Sunday's matchup between Stuttgart Surge and Vienna Vikings (15:00 CEST) comes with even more storylines than usual. Both franchises share recent heartbreak stories: Stuttgart lost the final in 2023, and the Vikings fell short in 2024 - both times against Rhein Fire. That shared history fuels their determination to finally lift the trophy again.

Adding more emotion to the game, two former Surge players will now face their old team in the biggest stage of all. Lucky Ogbevoen and Yannick Mayr, now with the Vikings, will look to make their mark against familiar faces. Games with ex-teammates often come with an extra spark, and this one is no exception.

The coaches' connection

The head coach matchup adds another fascinating layer. Surge Head Coach Jordan Neuman and Vikings Head Coach Chris Calaycay know each other extremely well. From 2011 to 2013, Neuman worked as Calaycay’s offensive coordinator in Vienna, and together they won two Austrian Bowls and an Eurobowl.

Now, they face each other once again - this time on opposite sidelines, leading their own teams into battle. Their first clash came in the 2023 semifinals, where the Surge stunned the Vikings with a 40:33 victory to reach the final. On Sunday, the two respected coaches will meet again, with everything on the line.

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