The stage is set for the most important game of the 2024 ELF season. On Sunday, September 22nd (Kickoff 3:30 pm), the Rhein Fire and the Vienna Vikings will battle it out to answer an important question: Who will be ELF Champion 2024?

We can expect a thrilling clash between the best teams of the season. Ahead of the game, Fire head coach Jim Tomsula praised his opponents: "This is a great organization all round", said the coach. He continues: "The excellently staffed and well-coached ELF team, the second team in the Austrian league, the youth teams, the cheerleaders - a great franchise in all aspects."

Tomsula is facing his second championship game as Rhein Fire head coach. He is not expecting an easy game: "They have the quality of Stuttgart - at least," analyzed Tomsula. And against the Surge, Fire even needed overtime to win 29:23.

Quarterback Clark is looking forward to the opportunity

Vor dem Spiel hat Fire-Quarterback Jadrian Clark einen klaren Plan: "The most important thing is that we put our best performance on the pitch in the most important game of the year." But he is still very much looking forward to the Championship Game: "This is an incredible opportunity for us to win the league twice in a row." He is counting on the Fire fans outnumbering the expected 38,000-plus spectators. "That was an indescribable feeling last year, there's nothing better.”

Rhein Fire actually played the last championship game at home. It took place in the SCHAUINSLAND-REISEN-ARENA in Duisburg - the Fires' home arena.

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Rhein Fire stars remain cool: "It's just another game"

His teammates are looking forward to the final calmly, but with confidence."The preparation is basically the same as it has been all season”, explains running back Glen Toonga. ”It's good that we even had two weeks to get in the mood, time was a bit tight before the semi-final in Stuttgart.” “The preparation is basically the same as it has been all season,” explains running back Glen Toonga. One thing could become a factor: "It's good that we even had two weeks to get in the mood, time was a bit tight before the semi-final in Stuttgart.” 

The defensive players, defensive lineman Max Parkinson and safety Marloshawn Franklin Jr. have a similar view. “It's just another game,” says the Briton Parkinson. He continues: "We'll try to put the pressure on as always and see if the Vikings can handle the situation." Franklin Jr. emphasizes: “At the moment, the hype seems kind of surreal. But after Sunday, all our efforts and endeavors will make sense.”

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So it's all set. Rhein Fire and the ELF fans are looking forward to a very special day in Gelsenkirchen.