"Focused on the game” - Vikings ready for Stuttgart
Felix Pahl
As the Vienna Vikings prepare to face the Stuttgart Surge in the ELF Championship Game, Head Coach Chris Calaycay made one thing clear: the celebration of the Semi Final win was short. “I really put the game to bed on Sunday,” he said. From that moment, his mind was already on Stuttgart.
Business as usual
While the final in Stuttgart with more than 30,000 fans expected is a special event for many, Vienna is approaching it with routine. Head Coach Chris Calaycay emphasized that the team will not change its travel or gameday habits: they will arrive on Saturday and stick to their usual rhythm.
Lessons from the Semi Final
The Semi Final win over the Nordic Storm showed both strengths and weaknesses. The Vikings left points on the board with missed kicks and red-zone chances. Calaycay knows such mistakes must be avoided on Sunday: big games, he said, are often decided by turnovers and special teams.
Watch the Storm at Vikings highlights here!
New season, new chance
Last year’s lost final against Rhein Fire still lingers in the background, but Calaycay doesn’t dwell on it. “This is a new season and a new team. You can’t execute football thinking about last year - you have to think about your job, your assignment, your technique.”
Preparing for Stuttgart
Playing in Stuttgart means noise, a different pitch and a 30-minute halftime show. The Vikings have done their homework. Coaches have prepared the team for silent counts, studied the hybrid grass surface, and adjusted schedules for the longer halftime. “We’re not getting ready for an event,” Calaycay explained. “We’re getting ready for the football game.”
Watch the Surge at Ravens highlights here!
Health and depth
Vienna enters the final healthy, with only a few question marks. The scare around punter Benjamin Straight roughing-the-kicker incident has passed, and receiver Noah Touré might return. “The next man has to be ready,” Calaycay said, underlining the team’s depth.
Respect for the opponent
Facing Stuttgart also means facing an old friend. Surge Head Coach Jordan Neuman worked under Calaycay in Vienna over a decade ago. “There’s nothing but respect there,” Calaycay said. “No matter what happens, the respect won’t change.”
The mindset
For Calaycay, it all comes down to execution. He sees the season’s work - practice, preparation, and culture -leading to this moment. “If we protect the ball, win special teams, and execute our plan,” he concluded, “I feel great about our chances.”
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