Clear goal in mind: Are the Hamburg Sea Devils back?

The Hamburg Sea Devils experienced a real high at the start of the European League of Football in 2021. The team from northern Germany performed strongly and reached the Championship Game two years in a row.

The fact that they were never able to win a title was not to remain their only drawback. The trend continued to point downwards. The Sea Devils suffered more defeats and missed out on the play-offs for the first time at the end of the 2023 season. 

A fate that was repeated last season with a devastating record of 2-10. The desire for success is growing. Another reason why the team's management wasted no time this offseason.

Fatah as a bringer of hope

With the signing of Shuan Fatah as the new head coach, there was suddenly new hope, even euphoria. The coach is regarded as one of the best in Europe and has already coached the Austrian and, until recently, the German national team. 

Fatah also brought Lee Rowland, a long-time friend and experienced coach, with him to Hamburg. Together they came up with a strategic plan. And it worked. 

Thanks to their time together at the Hildesheim Invaders, the Sea Devils pulled off one of the most spectacular moves in ELF history. Fatah and Rowland recruited none other than three-time Defensive Player of the Year Kyle Kitchens.

Defense on the rise

“We just have a long-term friendship. It's like a big old happy family,” Kitchens recently revealed in the new ELF interview format One on One. Anyone who has followed the league in the last few years is familiar with the name Kitchens. 

The US-American made the All-Star team in each of his four seasons. He recorded over 200 tackles and 60 sacks. Not only is that the most in league history, Kitchen's 16.5 sacks last season also set a new season record. 

Kitchens will be supported next season by a talented homegrown squad around new signing Denis Butz (came from Frankfurt Galaxy) and a bunch of hungry linebackers. This defense can be dangerous.

A new star on offense?

“Defense wins championships” is an old football mantra. But that doesn't mean that the front office has sat back in its search for additions to the offense. Fans have had to wait a long time, but now a new quarterback has been signed in Micah Leon. Is he the missing piece of the puzzle? 

Last season, both Javarian Smith, who had to pack his bags after five games, and D'Angelo Fulford were disappointing on Quarterback. Leon looks much more promising. The US-American played seven years of NCAA Division I football. His strengths clearly lie in the passing game, where he impresses with a strong arm. 

To give him even more tagets, the Sea Devils signed Terryon Robinson, a US receiver who has already earned a reputation as a playmaker in the league. Jean-Claude Madin Cerezo, a star receiver from the league beginning, is also returning. He already played for the Sea Devils from 2021-23.

And the offseason isn't over yet. Further deals could therefore also follow for the Sea Devils. However, the way things have gone so far shows that the hunger for the playoffs is growing in Hamburg. And the signs are good that this hunger will finally be satisfied this season.

Don't miss a single ELF Game - get your Game Pass!