"It’s just a battle" – Vikings ready for the Raiders

The Vienna Vikings are preparing for one of the most anticipated matchups of the ELF season: the “Battle of Austria” against the Raiders Tirol. Ahead of Week 4, Vikings head coach Chris Calaycay and star linebacker Lucky Ogbevoen spoke about their expectations, challenges, and focus for the game.

New but familiar face in Innsbruck

The Raiders are getting a boost with the return of quarterback N’Kosi Perry, who already played for the team last season. Coach Calaycay acknowledged that Perry’s style is very different from injured starter Conor Miller: “He brings more mobility, RPO plays, and designed quarterback runs. He’s dangerous on the ground and we’ll have to account for that.”

Still, the Raiders’ core identity remains the same: “They want to run the ball. They’ve had a strong run game and running backs for years, especially in the ELF. We need to stop that first.”

Defense remains key for Vikings

The Vikings' defense has been dominant so far this season — allowing only 7 points in their big win over Rhein Fire. “We always want to stop the run, get teams into long third downs, and then pass rush. That’s our goal every week,” said Calaycay.

Lucky Ogbevoen, who returned to Vienna after playing for the Raiders in past seasons, added: “It was a proud moment for us to only allow 6 points to Rhein Fire. We played together and showed the league how strong our defense really is.”

Watch the Vienna at Fire highlights here!

Familiar faces, but no emotions on the field

Despite the history between the teams and Lucky’s time with the Raiders, he says this game is all about focus: “Yes, I have many friends there, but once the whistle blows, it’s all business. It’s just about winning.”

Kicking game still a concern

One topic that came up often was the Vikings’ inconsistent kicking game. Calaycay admitted the issues, but explained that roster decisions in the ELF are tough: “If we use an import spot for a kicker, that means benching another key player like Aaron Donkor.”

Stefan Maierhoffer, a former soccer player, is being developed as a kickoff specialist, with the hope he can help in this area soon.

Confidence in the culture

When asked about the character of this year’s team, Coach Calaycay said: “It’s a great mix of tradition and progress. Every year, we try to improve a little more. Our defense is a great example — with veterans like Lucky Ogbevoen, Wappl and new additions like Aaron Donkor and other strong players, we’re building something really solid.”

Looking ahead to game day

The Vienna Vikings are aware that the Raiders have one of the best rushing offenses in the ELF, but they’re confident: “We’ll see how close the teams really are. If it comes down to defense, I like our chances,” said Calaycay.

The Battle of Austria is always emotional and competitive — but for the Vikings, it’s just another chance to prove why they’re one of the best teams in the ELF.

Kickoff is coming. All eyes on Austria.

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