On Sunday, September the 22nd, the time has finally come - the ELF will crown his champion of the season 2024. A prestigious title that usually brings a more than exciting championship game with it.

Ahead of this year's showdown between the Vienna Vikings and Rhein Fire, we take a look at past championship games. We started with the first Championship Game in ELF history - the one from 2021. Next, we take a look at the most important game of the 2022 season.  

Vikings and Sea Devils face off after impressive seasons

2022 was the year of the Vienna Vikings. Similar to this year, the Austrians showed very few weaknesses during the regular season. With a record of 10:2 behind them, the team took on the Barcelona Dragons in the semi-finals. A strong rushing game (196 yards) and a good defensive performance secured the Vikings' spot in the championship game.

Here they faced the Hamburg Sea Devils. An 11:1 regular season and a 19:7 victory over the Raiders Tirol secured the Hamburg Sea Devils their second ELF final in a row. Similar to the Vikings, the Sea Devils' running game also impressed. The offense ran for an impressive 210 yards in the semifinals.

Vikings utilize turnovers

In front of 15,000 fans in Klagenfurt, Austria, the Vikings were crowned ELF champions. They won the game 27:15. The Sea Devils managed to keep up for a long time, but missed points too early. The team did not score a single point in the second quarter, not enough for the title.

Vikings quarterback Jackson Erdmann was under a lot of pressure the entire game. The Sea Devils defense recorded three sacks and a total of 21 yards for loss. Nevertheless, Erdmann totaled 253 passing yards, but also threw an interception. 

Sea Devils quarterback Salieu Ceesay also threw an interception. His team added a fumble.

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Finnish power for the win

For the Vikings, Kimi Linnainmaa in particular shone. The receiver caught seven balls for 125 yards. The Finn was even allowed to throw a pass, which he completed for nine yards and a touchdown. 

On defense, linebacker Thomas Schnurrer had a strong game. With 12 tackles, 0.5 sacks and 0.5 tackles for loss, he made it difficult for the opposing offense. On special teams, cornerback and kick returner Exavier Edwards had a good day. He returned kickoffs for 125 yards.

For the Sea Devils, Lamar Jordan II stood out with five receptions for 69 yards and a touchdown. He also scored another 64 yards as a kick returner. On defense, Daniel Laporte and Kasim Edebali delivered a good performance. Linebacker Laporte had 11 tackles and an interception. Defensive end Edebali also had 11 tackles and 0.5 sacks.

Linnainmaa secures prestige

Most valuable player of the Championship Game was Kimi Linnainmaa. The Finn is still under contract with the Vikings. He will play his second ELF Championship Game with the Austrians on Sunday. Will it be as successful as his first?  

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