The people in charge of the European League of Football are giving all fans an intimate look behind the scenes. "Beyond the huddle" is the name of the documentary produced by the league in cooperation with all-in-production about the 2023 season. In six 30-minute episodes, Managing Director Zeljko Karajica and Commissioner Patrick Esume as well as the protagonists of the franchises have their say. The cinema preview will take place on November 30 at the Zeise in Hamburg. The first episode of the series will be broadcast on ELF's Game Pass on December 3.

A journey through the 2023 season

"It is very important to us to take the fans with us on our journey and show them the challenges we face in the organization of the league and what it means for the franchises to build their teams and get them on track for the competition. More than 40 interviews were conducted for 'Beyond the huddle' and around 70 hours of footage was generated. The series offers a deep, unadulterated insight into the ELF," says Managing Director Zeljko Karajica.

Special episodes to be featured in a preview

The documentary focuses on the players. "Homegrown heroes" such as Tim Haenni from the Helvetic Guards, Gianluca Santagostino from the Milano Seamen and Sandro Platzgummer from the Raiders Tirol talk about how they balance their sport with work or university and their private lives and what it means to be part of a very special community. In addition, players from the Stuttgart Surge were accompanied on their visit to sports lessons of a partner school.

The other episodes include how the management of the Vienna Vikings are working to develop the team after winning the 2022 championship, how a completely new franchise is being created with the Munich Ravens and while fans also have their say, explaining their passion for the sport and how football has changed their lives.

'Beyond the huddle' offers a condensed and exciting look behind the curtain

"We work 365 days a year to deliver the best possible product with the ELF. 'Beyond the huddle' offers a condensed and exciting look behind the curtain of a wild season that came to an outstanding end with the Championship Game in front of 31,500 spectators in the sold-out stadium in Duisburg. I'm sure this documentary will be a highlight for all football fans," says Commissioner Patrick Esume.

In the fourth season of the European League of Football, 17 teams from nine nations will be competing: Berlin Thunder, Rhein Fire, Frankfurt Galaxy, Hamburg Sea Devils, Cologne Centurions, Stuttgart Surge, Munich Ravens (all Germany), Paris Musketeers (France), Milano Seamen (Italy), Raiders Tirol, Vienna Vikings (both Austria), Panthers Wrocław (Poland), Helvetic Guards (Switzerland), Madrid Bravos, Barcelona Dragons (both Spain), Prague Lions (Czech Republic) and the Fehérvár Enthroners (Hungary). The Championship Game will take place on September 22 at the VELTINS-Arena of FC Schalke 04 in Gelsenkirchen.