International Game: A very special matchup for Bravos stars Cerezo and Fensch

On August 24, the European League of Football (ELF) will be hosting its first international game in Šibenik, Croatia. The Madrid Bravos will face the Hamburg Sea Devils.

The game will be very special for wide receiver Jean-Claude Madin Cerezo and Guard Robin Fensch. Both once played for the Sea Devils. In Šibenik, they will face their former team in the Madrid Bravos jersey.

For Fensch, who is originally from Hamburg, the last meeting between the two teams was already "a strange feeling, especially at the beginning." In Week 11, the Bravos achieved an impressive 52-9 victory over the Sea Devils. "In the end, it's still a football game. The opponent doesn't matter," said the 31-year-old Fensch, who played for the Sea Devils for two seasons.

 Meets his old team in Croatia: Robin Fensch                                                        ©Agencia LOF

It will also be wide receiver Jean-Claude Madin Cerezo's second meeting with his former team. "It feels good. Playing against the players I know was a great experience," says the wideout.

A game with major importance for the league

A historical day is ahead for European football. It will be the first game of the European League of Football not to be played on a pitch in one of its member countries. Bravo's player Cerezo is also aware of the international meaning of the game: "Patrick Esume in particular is a great ambassador in the sport, and it's incredible where we are right now with the European League of Football."

The mission is clear for the veteran: "The more people we can get excited about football, the better it is for us and for the league. The league grows, the sport grows. That's just cool!"

Team mate Fensch has a similar view: "It's the first International Game. Of course, I hope we'll have fun and put on a good show on the pitch. Ultimately, of course, I also hope that we'll win there as Madrid Bravos."

Everything could be on the line for the Bravos

After all, there is still a lot on the line for the franchise from Spain. Head coach Rip Scherer's team is still in the battle for the playoffs. Week 14, the last of the regular season, could decide everything.

The International Game in Sibenik promises not only sporting excitement, but also emotional moments. It is a game that will put the European League of Football further on the European map of professional sport and could open the way for many more international matches. Football fans can look forward to seeing how this chapter in the history of the ELF will be written.