This season will see a premiere: the first 'International Game' of the European League of Football is on the programme. For the first time, there will be an ELF game in a country that is not yet home to any of the league's franchises. The Hamburg Sea Devils will host Madrid Bravos at Sibenik, Croatia, on 24th of August. As this will be the last Game Week of the regular season, the game is very likely to be of great importance for the playoffs.

Stuttgart Surge player Marko Vidackovic will not be part of the game, but, as a German-Croatian, he is very much looking forward to the first game happening in Croatia. The Defensive Back is making his first season in the ELF, returning to Germany after playing for one of the most successful colleges in the United States, the University of Oregon.

In an interview with europeanleague.football, he talks about the importance of the 'International Game' and expresses his hopes for a Croatian franchise in the ELF.

Marko, you have family in Zagreb and Split. Why should American Football deserve more attention in Croatia?

Vidackovic: We Croatians are very passionate about pretty much every sport. There are a lot of very talented kids in Croatia who love sports. I think it is very important to bring more attention to Football in Croatia. In my opinion, there are many kids who can become very good at Football. But without the attention of these children, the interest in Football would not develop, which is exactly what is needed for them to start playing. Croatia is a country with very talented sportsmen and -women, so developing them in Football automatically has the same potential as in soccer.

This year's 'International Game' is taking place in Croatia, more precisely in Sibenik. Do you know the city?

Vidackovic: Sibenik is a very beautiful city in the Dalmatian region of Croatia. The city is close to the sea and has a truly unique old town. Strolling along the Riviera in the evening and having a good dinner is always the right choice. There are also many offshore islands with beautiful beaches along the coast. It is a very popular city for tourists and I would recommend anyone who has never been to Croatia to spend time there in the summer.

Do you think the 'International Game' can help American Football become even more visible in Croatia?

Vidackovic: Definitely. As you can see in soccer, we Croats are very passionate about the sport. Football has grown a lot in Europe in recent years and there is basically the same potential in Croatia. It is important to get Football into the minds of children in Croatia so that they become interested in this sport. The 'International Game' in Sibenik will definitely be a success, and I think that the atmosphere at the game will also be very good because Croatian fans are very energetic. In the future, I think, there should also be a Football franchise in Croatia, which would really be a big step forward for the sport. There would certainly be enough players who would want to play for a team in Croatia. A Croatian franchise for the ELF would be really cool and hopefully it will happen at some point in the future.