The Championship Games of the past have always built up the excitement for the season's final showdown. With only a few days left until the big game, let's take a look back at the previous Championship Games in the history of the European League of Football (ELF).

Sea Devils and Galaxy face off in the first ELF final

In the first season of the ELF, the Hamburg Sea Devils and Frankfurt Galaxy clashed in the final. The two franchises had already met twice during the regular season, with each team securing one win. Both victories were crucial as they marked important milestones in the league's inaugural season.

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Sea Devils start strong

The Sea Devils faced the Frankfurt Galaxy in their very first ELF game and came out victorious. They remained unbeaten until Week 8, defeating strong teams like the Barcelona Dragons, Wroclaw Panthers, and Berlin Thunder. However, the second matchup between the Sea Devils and Galaxy went clearly in favor of the Galaxy, which threw the Sea Devils off their game. Including that Galaxy match, the Sea Devils managed to win only one of their last four regular-season games.

Galaxy’s loss sparks a turnaround

The early-season loss to the Sea Devils might have been the best thing that could have happened to the Galaxy. After that defeat, they went on an almost perfect run, winning most of their games by a large margin. They also dominated their matchups against other semifinal contenders, such as the Wroclaw Panthers and Cologne Centurions. With a 9-1 record, they entered the semifinals and defeated the Cologne Centurions for the third time to secure their place in the final.

Third showdown between Sea Devils and Galaxy

Both the Hamburg Sea Devils and Frankfurt Galaxy won their semifinal games, setting up a third encounter between the teams in the Championship Game. In a high-quality and thrilling match, the Galaxy managed to secure the win with only 25 seconds left on the clock, defeating the Sea Devils 32-30 to claim the first-ever ELF title.

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Star players finish the inaugural ELF season in style

Despite the Sea Devils' loss, players like Xavier Johnson and Adria Botella Moreno put up impressive performances. Running back Johnson contributed 115 rushing yards and 45 receiving yards. Tight end Adria Botella Moreno, who later played for the Wroclaw Panthers in the 2024 season, caught seven passes for 138 yards.

However, these efforts were not enough to turn the game around. On the Galaxy's side, quarterback Jakeb Sullivan and wide receiver Anthony Mahoungou were standout performers. Mahoungou caught seven passes for 101 yards and one touchdown. Jhonattan Silva Gomez also made crucial plays, with an interception and seven tackles, helping to keep the Sea Devils in check.

Sullivan shines above all

The Championship Game MVP was deservedly awarded to Jakeb Sullivan. The American quarterback of the Galaxy accumulated 362 total yards and scored five touchdowns, leading his team to their first ELF title with an outstanding performance.

As we look forward to the 2024 Championship Game, the anticipation builds. What new stories will this year's final create? Who will be the hero that leads their franchise to become the first to win a second ELF title?

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