Nordic Storm: A historic debut season in the ELF

The 2025 season brought a historic moment for the European League of Football. With Nordic Storm from Copenhagen, Scandinavia joined the league for the first time – and the debut could hardly have gone better.

A start to remember

The Storm surprised the league with an impressive run of nine consecutive victories to start their first season and were the earliest team to clinch a playoff spot in Week 10. Unbeaten until Week 11, the Storm finished the regular season with a strong 10-2 record, immediately establishing themselves among the league's top teams.

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Leadership at the core

The foundation for this success was set before the season even began. Head coach John Shoop, the first official signing of the franchise, brought both experience and credibility to the project. His appointment set the tone for what the organization wanted to achieve: a professional approach from day one. He was soon joined by quarterback Jadrian Clark and running back Glen Toonga, both former standouts at Rhein Fire.

Clark gave the Storm the leadership and consistency they needed in their first year. Toonga, however, was injured in the very first game and could not return. Still, he stayed close to the team, traveling with them and supporting his teammates off the field.

Offense and defense

Statistically, the Storm's offense relied heavily on their passing game, as the loss of RB Toonga in Week 1 left the ground attack without its main weapon. Averaging 310.9 passing yards per game, they ranked second in the league, a direct reflection of Clark's efficiency and the system designed by Shoop. The rushing attack was less effective, finishing only 13th. Despite the imbalance, the Storm still scored 33.1 points per game, seventh-best in the league and key to their ten wins.

The defensive unit formed the foundation of the team. They allowed just 178.9 passing yards (4th), 101.9 rushing yards (4th), and only 16.8 points per game (3rd). This balance kept the Storm competitive every week.

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Playoff run

In the postseason, Nordic Storm continued to impress. In the Wildcard Round, Nordic Storm made headlines by eliminating two-time defending champions Rhein Fire. Their season ended one week later in the semifinals against the Vienna Vikings, but a final-four appearance was a remarkable achievement for a first-year team.

Looking ahead

As the Storm look to 2026, the building blocks are firmly in place. With Shoop and Clark leading the way and Toonga expected back on the field, the team can grow even further. The potential of their Danish and Swedish players has also surprised many and points to a promising future.

Nordic Storm's debut season was more than just successful – it showed that professional football in Scandinavia is here to stay.

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