Holmes self-critical: "Can’t turn the ball over in the red zone"

The Vienna Vikings played their third ELF Championship Game since joining the league in 2022, but once again the title slipped away. In front of more than 36,000 fans at the MHP Arena in Stuttgart, the Vikings lost 17:24 to Stuttgart Surge.

Holmes on the game

Quarterback Ben Holmes, one of the key figures in Vienna's strong season, spoke with "First Down Magazine" after the game and was honest about the loss: "I think it was a good game and I think we battled the way up to the end and unfortunately we came out on the losing side again."

Holmes, who was under pressure all game and sacked eight times, still managed 215 passing yards, one touchdown, and added 25 rushing yards. But one costly moment defined the night when he threw an interception in the red zone - a mistake he fully owned up to: "Can’t turn the ball over in the red zone, that’s on me. It was a stupid decision."

Watch the Championship Game highlights here!

Future still open

Holmes, who was one of the league’s top quarterbacks in 2025, also spoke about his future. When asked about his contract situation, he kept it open: "I haven’t signed anything. I don’t know what will happen."

Watch the first ever ELF Halftime Show here!