Berlin Thunder

One of the headlines of the ELF off-season was the Paris Musketeers signing Jack Del Rio as their next head coach. The story made waves across the football world as the ELF and the Musketeers were able to convince the former superbowl winning coach to come to France. “Yeah, Jack Del Rio is obviously a household name in the NFL. He's been a coordinator, been a head coach in the NFL. To me, it speaks volumes about the quality of the league and it's a testament to what the franchises have done in order to convince somebody of his magnitude to come over and be the head coach.” -Commissioner Patrick Esume   Jack Del Rio & Jim Tomsula ELF fans know Del Rio isn’t the only former NFL head coach in the league as Jim Tomsula has led the Rhein Fire to back to back titles in his three years in Düsseldorf. Now the former San Francisco 49ers coach leads the Fire into 2025 without MVP quarterback and running back Jadrian Clark and Glen Toonga, giving the Fire and Tomsula new challenge: “It’s consistency again that keeps you still up there. And the consistency is Jim Tomula and his coaching staff, right? Richard Kent, tremendous coach. So, I think that these two gentlemen, they're going to put a very good football team on the field that's well coached. They might not be as strong as the two years before, but they're going to be up there again.” Along with Del Rio and Tomsula, the ELF has several coaches with NFL experience including new head coach of the Frankfurt Galaxy Bart Andrus, who spent 5 seasons as an assistant coach in the NFL, as well as coaching in the CFL and USFL.  Other coaches in the ELF this season with NFL experience include: Berlin Thunder: OL coach Art Valero Nordic Storm: Head coach John Schoop & defensive coordinator Brandon Noble  Prague Lions:  DB coach Darqueze Dennard  Madrid Bravos: Head coach Andrew Weidinger, defensive coordinator Jim Collins Fehervar Enthroners: Head coach Mark Ridgley Raiders Tirol: Head coach Jim Herrmann, offensive coordinator Charlie Eger, and RBs coach Terry Malone  Hamburg Sea Devils: Defensive coordinator Ray Woodard Helvetic Mercenaries: DL coach Nordly ‘Cap’ Capi  Vienna Vikings: Analyst Norm Chow and kicking coach Giorgio Tavecchio

In April, we are revealing the Top 100 graded players of the 2024 European League of Football season, based on SportsMetrics’ advanced evaluation system. These rankings are based only on on-field performance — including consistency, impact, and position-specific stats. Today, we highlight the player ranked #2. #2 Kyle Kitchens Kyle Kitchens is one of the most dominant players in ELF history — and once again, he proved it in 2024. The three-time Defensive Player of the Year had another outstanding season and earned the #2 spot in this year’s Top 100. Kitchens led the league with 16.5 sacks, breaking his own ELF record (16) from the previous season. He also led the league in tackles for loss (TFL) and forced fumbles, continuing to be a nightmare for offensive lines across Europe. His ability to change a game with just one play is what sets him apart from others. A new chapter with the Sea Devils In the offseason, Kitchens made a big move. He signed with the Hamburg Sea Devils, bringing his elite pass-rushing skills to a new franchise. Now, the goal is clear: help the Sea Devils return to their winning ways and make a push for the playoffs. With his experience, leadership, and unmatched production, Kyle Kitchens will be one of the most important players to watch in the 2025 season. Don't miss a single game - Get your Game Pass now!

Things will kick off at the beginning of May. Three German coaches will then experience a very special week with the NFL team Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Two of them already coached in the European League of Football.  The team from the NFC South invites to the one-week “National Coaching Academy”. For several years now, the program has attempted to offer talented football coaches intensive further training opportunities at NFL level. Provided that they have been coaching for at least three years and work in a team at high school, college or semi-professional level.  1500 applications were received worldwide for the 25 free places. The applicants came from the USA, Japan, England, Denmark and Germany. With Nadine Nurasyid, Henry Schlegel and Simon Bramberger, three German coaches made it through. German participant made history Nurasyid is a well-known football face in Germany. Last season, the 38-year-old worked as a defensive assistant coach for Stuttgart Surge. Born in Munich, she started out as a player with the Munich Cowboys Ladies in 2013 and later played for the German national team for a long time. After her active career as a play, she remained with the Cowboys as a coach, where Nurasyid made international history in 2022.  To date, she is the first and only woman in Europe to lead a men's football team in a first division as head coach. Since 2023, she has also been working as an NFL expert for the streaming service DAZN and on television for RTL. Simon Bramberger, a former teammate of Nurasyid, has also joined the NFL program. The former offensive tackle has been the Cowboys' run game coordinator and offensive line coach for several years. ELF Coach as one of the greatest coaching talents in Europe  Henry Schlegel will be the third German coach in the “National Coaching Academy”. At the same time, the 25-year-old is probably one of the youngest participants. Schlegel is regarded as one of the biggest coaching talents in European football. He took on his first coaching job in 2019 as wide receiver coach of the Hildesheim Young Invaders. In the same year, he was promoted to offensive coordinator.  In 2022, he gained his first experience in US football when he accepted a volunteer position at Division I FCS Bethune-Cookman University. In 2023, Schlegel was promoted to Offensive Coordinator of the Berlin Thunder. At only 23 years old at the time, he became the youngest OC in the history of the European League of Football. During this offseason, Schlegel signed as quarterback coach at the newly founded team Nordic Storm. Henry Schlegel ©Eric Muehle. The big dream of the NFL is on the line Part of the program includes group training courses and team meetings. The team's rookie camps take place at the same time. This allows the aspiring coaches to observe the knowledge they have learned directly in practice. The participants will be mentored by a prominent team of experts. Among them are Super Bowl Champion Jon Gruden, Bruce Arians and Tony Dungy. Buccaneers Head Coach Todd Bowles and General Manager Jason Licht will also be involved. After the coaching program, a special opportunity awaits the participants. Five of them will be selected to join the Bill Walsh Diversity Coaching Fellowship. They will be allowed to stay with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and gain practical experience during training camps, offseason workout programs and minicamps of the NFL teams and thus qualify for a career as an NFL coach. Don't miss a single ELF Game - get your Game Pass!

In April, we are revealing the Top 100 graded players of the 2024 European League of Football season, based on SportsMetrics’ advanced evaluation system. These rankings are based only on on-field performance — including consistency, impact, and position-specific stats. Today, we highlight the player ranked #4. #4 Aaron Jackson Aaron Jackson takes the #4 spot in the ELF Top 100 after a fantastic 2024 season. Even though Berlin Thunder finished with a 5-7 record, Jackson had an incredible individual year. A versatile weapon on the field He was the receiving leader of the season and showed his talent in many ways. Jackson caught 11 touchdowns, ran for 4 touchdowns, and even threw one. He was also one of the best returners in the league. Originally, Jackson was set to play for the Helvetic Mercenaries in 2025. However, things changed. Due to a contract disagreement, Jackson decided to leave the ELF. The Mercenaries said in a statement: “Due to contractual disagreements with his previous team, Aaron Jackson has decided to retire from ELF football. After discussions, we have agreed to his request and terminated his contract.” Jackson now plays for the Berlin Rebels in the German Football League. Don't miss a single game - Get your Game Pass now!

In April, we are revealing the Top 100 graded players of the 2024 European League of Football season, based on SportsMetrics’ advanced evaluation system. These rankings are based only on on-field performance — including consistency, impact, and position-specific stats. Today, we highlight the player ranked #7. #7 Ludvig Myren The 2024 season didn’t go as planned for the Berlin Thunder. They only won 5 out of 12 regular season games and finished third in the Eastern Conference. Still, their defense showed many strong moments—especially thanks to linebacker Ludvig Myren. A defensive leader in Berlin Myren was one of the top performers on the team, showing consistent and high-level play all season. In 11 games, he recorded 130 tackles, 2 sacks, 9.5 tackles for loss, 2 interceptions, and 1 forced fumble. His efforts earned him a spot on the ELF Second All-Star Team. After three years with Berlin Thunder, Myren made a big decision in the offseason—he joined the new franchise, Nordic Storm. With his talent and experience, he will be a key part of their defense. Ludvig Myren leaves Berlin as one of the top linebackers in the league and is ready to make a big impact with his new team. Get your tickets for the Championship Game in Stuttgart!

The European League of Football will soon be entering the new season. Will Rhein Fire make the three-peat? Who are the new stars of the teams? Questions upon questions. The teams have to answer many of them on the pitch, while we answer others in our “ELF Wire” format. Preparations for fith season of league history are in full swing. The teams have been practicing for a few days now and the final deals are being finalized. Over the past weeks and months, the front offices have worked hard to present the best possible roster for the upcoming season.    These are now almost completely finalized. Most of the spots are taken. Only a few announcements are still missing, so stay tuned and follow our channels and those of the teams closely.  The Opening Weekend will then begin on May 17th with the games Wroclaw Panthers vs. Ferhervar Enthroners, Paris Musketeers vs. Rhein Fire and Madrid Bravos vs. Hamburg Sea Devils. You can find a complete overview of all games here. Be ready. Don't miss a single ELF Game - get your Game Pass!

In April, we are revealing the Top 100 graded players of the 2024 European League of Football season, based on the advanced evaluation system by SportsMetrics. These rankings reflect pure on-field performance, with position-specific stats, consistency, and impact across the season. Today, we take a look at players ranked #70 to #61. #70 Darragh Leader  Darragh Leader was a scoring machine for the Raiders Tirol. The Irish kicker was one of the most reliable in the ELF last season. Whether it was a field goal or an extra point, Leader got the job done. His accuracy gave the Raiders a strong boost in close games. For now, it’s still unknown where he’ll play in 2025. Stanley was one of the best receivers last season. ©Roland Johannes #69 Malik Stanley  A well-known name across the league, Malik Stanley showed once again why he's one of the ELF’s top receivers. Despite playing fewer games last season, the American wideout still finished with elite numbers for the Munich Ravens. His ability to make big plays secured him a well-deserved spot in the Top 100. #68 Jakob Sullivan  Jakob Sullivan is a true ELF veteran and a former champion. The American quarterback led the league in passing yards in 2024. While the season didn’t go as planned for Berlin Thunder, Sullivan proved that he remains one of the top QBs in Europe. Joc Crawford plays for the Mercenaries in the 2025 season. ©Eric Ribé #67 Joc Crawford  Even at age 37, Joc Crawford keeps performing at a high level. Last season, he played for the Milano Seamen and brought energy and power to their offense. For 2025, he joins the Helvetic Mercenaries, showing no signs of slowing down. #66 Isaiah Weed  Another exciting addition for the Mercenaries is QB Isaiah Weed. Known for his dual-threat ability, Weed can beat defenses through the air and on the ground. His explosive style made him one of the most exciting quarterbacks to watch last season. #65 Ryan Rimmler  Ryan Rimmler had a tough start to the season, but he improved each week. His biggest moment? A record-breaking 60-yard field goal — the longest in ELF history. That one kick alone made headlines across the league. The Hamburg Sea Devils got top cornerback Roedion Henrique. ©Petra Kutasi #64 Roedion Henrique  Henrique is one of the most consistent defensive backs in the league. Last season with the Enthroners, he made several big plays and proved once again why he’s a top DB. For 2025, he’s headed to the Hamburg Sea Devils to bring experience and leadership to the secondary. #63 Martin Pinter Martin Pinter made a name for himself last season with the Cologne Centurions. His ability to stop the run and pressure the quarterback caught the attention of the Frankfurt Galaxy, who signed him for 2025. Pinter brings toughness and production to an already strong defense. #62 Sandro Platzgummer  The former New York Giants running back showed his elite talent in the ELF. Platzgummer was a key part of the Galaxy’s offense and formed a strong duo with QB Matthew McKay. In 2025, he'll team up with Gerald Ameln to create a dangerous backfield. Marius Kensy wants to win the third title in a row for Rhein Fire. ©Fabio Deinert #61 Marius Kensy Marius Kensy was one of the best linebackers in the league last season. With 94 tackles and 2 sacks, he played a big role in Rhein Fire’s Championship-winning season. He’s back for 2025 and ready to lead the defense again. Stay tuned as we continue to count down the Top 100 players of the 2024 ELF season — with more stars, stats, and stories to come! Get your tickets for the Championship Game in Stuttgart!

In April, we are revealing the Top 100 graded players of the 2024 European League of Football season, based on the advanced evaluation system by SportsMetrics. These rankings reflect pure on-field performance, with position-specific stats, consistency, and impact across the season. Today, we take a look at players ranked #80 to #71. #80 Hugo Dyrendahl What a rookie year for the 26-year-old. The linebacker was able to establish himself right away with Frankfurt Galaxy, starting all twelve games and recording 135 tackles. He even made it to the All-Star team. Despite his big role, Dyrendahl had to answer the call of home. The Swedish native will play for Nordic Storm next season. #79 Juan Flores-Calderon In a rather disappointing Milano Seamen team, Flores-Calderon was a real bright spot. The 21-year-old wide receiver collected 732 receiving yards and eight touchdowns. The 2023 Offensive Rookie of the Year will also be seen in the ELF next season. But then with the Madrid Bravos. ©Sergio Bisi. #78 Ken Hike Jr. The free safety joined the Vienna Vikings late after spending some time in Switzerland, but still had a direct impact. Especially in terms of turnovers. In five games, he made two interceptions, forced a fumble and recovered three more. He also had eleven pass deflections. Next season, Hike Jr. will prove this talent with the Prague Lions. ©Alexandre Bertrand. #77 Krzystof Wis The middle linebacker is one of the cornerstones of the Wroclaw Panthers' defense. Together with superstar A.J. Wentland, Wis makes life difficult for opposing running backs. The 37-year-old veteran recorded 78 tackles, including ten for loss and 6.5 sacks last season.  #76 Jakub Smutný Defensive tackle Jakub Smutný also likes to bring running backs to the ground. The 28-year-old Czech had his breakthrough last season and more than doubled his number of tackles. The Prague Lions rewarded this with a contract extension. ©Jakub Platenik #75 Nicolas Khandar After a rookie season with only four games as a backup, the running back celebrated his breakthrough last season. The 31-year-old recorded 686 rushing yards and four touchdowns. After two years with Stuttgart Surge, the Frenchman returns to his home country and joins the Paris Musketeers. 74 Flamur Simon What a year for Flamur Simon. The linebacker established himself at Rhein Fire, became a starter, put in outstanding performances and played a big part in Rhein Fire celebrating their second ELF Championship title in a row. So it's no wonder that the German extended his contract this offseason. ©Lina Bollig #73 Raul Cernuda Pastor Raul Cernuda Pastor showed potential with the Barcelona Dragons in 2023 and performed well with the Madrid Bravos in 2024. The homegrown tight end established himself as a starter and contributed five touchdowns. The 28-years-old even made it to our Homegrown Team of the Year. 72 Luke Glenna The US import was an important cornerstone of a strong Madrid Bravos defense. As a result, the safety was selected to the All-Star team — just like the year before for the Barcelona Dragons. Now the 25-year-old is ready for a new adventure and joins Nordic Storm. ©Maxime Le Pihif #71 Nicolai Schumann The Berlin Thunder homegrown is one of the best tight ends in the league. The 33-year-old veteran has already been voted onto the ELF All-Star Team twice. Don't miss a single ELF Game — get your Game Pass!

We are only 5 weeks away from the start of the 2025 season here in the European League of Football. Let’s see what last minute moves are being made as teams look to complete their rosters before training camp. Munich Ravens load up on defense The Munich Ravens will bring back defenders Wael Nasri, Etuale Lui, and Christoph Nitzlnander. As the Bavarian squad hopes to make another playoff run this year.  One new face for the Ravens will be safety Cole Coleman. Cole knows the ELF playing for the Vienna Vikings last season. Prior to coming to Europe the former Elon DB spent time in the NFL and CFL.    Stuttgart Surge recharge with talent The Stuttgart Surge are bringing back outstanding defensive back Raheem Simiram-Wilson. The ex-CFL starter and Schwabisch Hall Unicorn returns for his second season in Stuttgart, after recording 6 interceptions, 162 interception return yards, 5 pass break-ups, and 2 tackles for loss — all in just 10 regular season games. Simiram-Wilson will be joined once again by homegrowns Lasse Engel and Konstantin Katz. At quarterback they will also bring back 23-year old quarterback Lars Heidrich who filled in admirably for Reilly Hennessey at times last year.  Berlin Thunder sign D1 American WR The Berlin Thunder have finally signed their second American import as receiver Jeremiah Webb joins veteran quarterback Jakeb Sullivan on offense. Webb caught 6 passes for 659 yards and 5 touchdowns last fall for the South Alabama Jaguars(NCAA D1).  Enthroners beef up the offensive line The Fehérvár Enthroners continue to build their roster for the 2025 season by adding offensive lineman Tomás Middleton. The Panamanian talent will play a key role in protecting quarterback Brock Domann. Middleton has experience playing in Mexico and for the Barcelona Dragons in the ELF.  Paris Musketeers sign All-American DL The Paris Musketeers have signed defensive tackle Lamonte McDougle. The former All-American  joins former NFL head coach Jack Del Rio in the French capital as the first American import on defense for the French squad. McDougle played for West Virginia, Washington State, and UTSA during his college career. He was a standout in the GFL in 2024 for the Dresden Monarchs.   Get Your Tickets to the ELF Championship!    

In the coming month of April, we will be releasing the top 100 graded players of the 2024 season according to sportsmetrics. The grades reflect the individual's performance on the field. Grading System for Players and Teams SportsMetrics Grades evaluate both individual players and teams based on their performance in a single game as well as the entire season. The grades are designed to provide an accurate and comprehensive assessment of a player’s performance in different categories such as passing, rushing, receiving, defense, and kicking. Each category is further divided into player positions, such that each player’s performance is evaluated against other players in the same position. The grades are designed to be scalable for different player positions, meaning that a linebacker’s performance is compared to other linebackers in each category. Weighted Metrics Each category in the SportsMetrics grading system sets different weights on statistical in-game metrics. These metrics are then weighted based on their importance to the category to provide an accurate evaluation of a player’s performance. This ensures that the grading system is fair and objective, and the players’ performance is evaluated based on the metrics that matter the most in each category. Comparison and Scaling To compare and scale the teams’ and players’ performance, SportsMetrics Grades use a specially fitted sigmoid function. This function ensures that the grades are scaled appropriately, and the players’ performance is evaluated accurately based on the metrics in each category. The stats are compared with the overall distribution of league performance in each category and then weighted by the category weights. Limitations While SportsMetrics Grades provides an accurate and unbiased evaluation of the players and teams, it has some limitations. Currently, it is technically not possible to rate offensive line players accurately. Thus, those players were rated by expert opinions. Additionally, the ratings for defensive backs should be read cautiously, as the best defensive backs may not have the best numbers since quarterbacks try to avoid throwing in their direction. Don't miss a single ELF Game - Get your Game Pass Players Overview ELF x Sports Metrics Top 100 Graded Players - #100-#91 ELF x Sports Metrics Top 100 Graded Players - #90-#81 ELF x Sports Metrics Top 100 Graded Players - #80-#71 ELF x Sports Metrics Top 100 Graded Players - #70-#61 ELF x Sports Metrics Top 100 Graded Players - #60-#51  

The Berlin Thunder have finally signed their second American import as receiver Jeremiah Webb joins veteran quarterback Jakeb Sullivan on offense. Webb, played last season for South Alabama University catching 36 passes for 659 yards and 5 touchdowns. The Chicago native will make his pro debut for the Thunder this season in his first experience outside of college. Webb had a outstanding finale to his college career catching 6 passes for 182 yards and two touchdowns, earning him MVP of the "Salute to Vets" bowl.    The 1.83 cm pass catcher has experience playing for South Alabama’s special teams and had 254 yards for the South Dakota University Coyotes before transferring to South Alabama. Webb is also a former high school quarterback.  The ELF rookie receiver hopes to build a connection with veteran quarterback Jakeb Sullivan in the German capital. The Thunder also bring back offensive weapons like tight end Nicolai Schumann and Bias Kounda.  Get Your Tickets to the 2025 ELF Championship!

Berlin Thunder has made important additions to its coaching staff for the upcoming season. The team has announced Adam Rita as their new Offensive Coordinator and Art Valero as the new Offensive Line Coach. Both coaches bring decades of experience at the highest levels of football, including the Canadian Football League (CFL), the European League of Football (ELF), and the NFL.   Adam Rita – A legendary career in football   Adam Rita is a well-known figure in the football world, especially in Canada. Born in 1947 in Hawaii, he has spent many years coaching and managing teams in the CFL. Over his long career, he has been the head coach of the Toronto Argonauts, Ottawa Rough Riders, and BC Lions. He also worked as the general manager for the BC Lions and Toronto Argonauts.   Rita has won multiple championships, including four Grey Cups as a coach and two as an executive. After leaving the CFL in 2012, he continued his coaching career in Europe. He has led teams in Switzerland, the Czech Republic, Germany, Spain, and Italy, where he coached the Bergamo Lions. In 2021, he was the head coach of the Barcelona Dragons in the European League of Football (ELF). Now, he returns to the ELF as the Offensive Coordinator for Berlin Thunder, bringing his experience and knowledge to help the team succeed. Art Valero will be responsible for the offensive line of the Thunder in the 2025 season. ©Texas Tech University Art Valero – A strong addition to the offensive line   Berlin Thunder has also secured Art Valero as their new Offensive Line Coach. Valero, born in 1958, has had a long career as an assistant coach in both college football and the NFL. He has worked with teams such as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, St. Louis Rams, Seattle Seahawks, and Tennessee Titans.   Valero was part of the Buccaneers' coaching staff when they won Super Bowl XXXVII. Most recently, he worked as the running backs coach for the St. Louis Battle Hawks in the United Football League (UFL). His experience with offensive lines and running backs will be valuable for Berlin Thunder as they build a strong and efficient offense for the upcoming season.   A new era for Berlin Thunder   With the addition of Adam Rita and Art Valero, Berlin Thunder is making a statement. The team is committed to building a powerful offense and competing at the highest level in the ELF. Both coaches bring decades of experience, championship-winning knowledge, and a deep understanding of the game. Fans of Berlin Thunder can look forward to an exciting season under this new coaching leadership.

The European League of Football finished its fourth season. It is now time to figure out what teams will move in the right direction for the fifth season in 2025! Will it be teams with previous losing records emerging as contenders? Will Rhein Fire stay dominant? Who are the best players coming into the season? When are you able to draft your lineups for Fantasy Football? Those are questions that you may ask yourself and we are here to give you the best possible answer! If you have a question and want it to be answered in a future article, please look out on the league’s social channels every Monday. iamcadeyoung: How do you get recruited? There are a lot of different ways to get recruited by a team of the European League of Football. The easiest and most common way for homegrown European players is to play for a regional football team and then perform at try-outs. However, if you are already a proven player or even compete(d) in the United States collegiate system, teams can also review your film. If you want to reach out to a team, feel free to contact them via their respective team websites.  b1ak3varg__: Just getting into the ELF and still can’t decide on a team! What is an underdog team like Buffalo?  Thank you for your question. The European League of Football will kick off its fifth season with 16 teams in 2025. There are a lot of great storylines coming into this year because of multiple moving parts. However, if you are looking for a team that was close to reaching the playoffs or lost in the wild card round over the last years, it is the Madrid Bravos.  In their first ELF season, the Madrid Bravos came up swinging. By doing the unthinkable as a new franchise, the Spanish team even made it to the playoffs but lost the 2024 ELF Champions Rhein Fire 40-10 in the Wild Card Round. But they have hired Rhein Fire’s offensive coordinator Andrew Weidinger as their new head coach. Alongside other great hires, the Spanish franchise made some blockbuster moves and signed impact players from different teams all over the European continent.  So, if you want to jump their a bandwagon before the Madrid Bravos take off, now is your time to join the party!  j.ravelo__: When do rosters usually get finalized by?  Thank you for your question! The roster of a team in the European League of Football gets finalized close to the start of the season. This year, the ELF kicks off on the 17th May. So, you can expect your favorite team to have a finalized roster a few weeks prior. However, keep in mind that rosters in American football contain a large number of players which is why there will always be some fluctuation, e.g. player signings, cuts or even injuries. © European League of Football 

The Hamburg Sea Devils have officially set the venue for their highly anticipated matchup against long-time rivals, the Berlin Thunder. On June 7, 2025, the Sea Devils will host their second home game of the season at Stadion Hoheluft, a stadium known for its intense atmosphere and thrilling football action.   This game carries extra emotional weight, not just because of the rivalry, but also due to the presence of Kyle Kitchens, last year’s Defensive Player of the Year. Kitchens, who played for Berlin Thunder for the past three seasons, was twice named the league’s best defensive player and selected for the First All-Star Team in all three years. Now wearing the Sea Devils' jersey, he will face his former team for the first time - adding even more excitement to an already heated showdown.   Sea Devils Excited for the Clash   Sea Devils General Manager Mark Weitz expressed his enthusiasm for playing another game at Stadion Hoheluft:   "We are thrilled to host our second home game against Berlin Thunder at Stadion Hoheluft. This venue provides an incredible atmosphere for our fans and players. After last season, we aim to come back even stronger in 2025 - and with our fans behind us, this historic rivalry with Berlin Thunder will be an absolute highlight."  Over the years, Stadion Hoheluft has been the stage for many unforgettable battles between these two franchises. Fans from both sides will be eager to see if this game lives up to the history of this fierce rivalry.

During the offseason, the teams of the European League of Football lose no time. This week, they also announced some more roster moves. An overview: Missing piece for the Sea Devils The Hamburg Sea Devils have already presented some good moves this offseason. What was still missing, however, was a quarterback. They have now found one in Micah Leon. US duo for the Centurions The Cologne Centurions presented two US imports this week. Firstly, Jeremy Moussa signed as the new QB1. An important target will be former college wide receiver Austin Osborn, who also signed with the German team. Raiders sign QB1 The Raiders Tirol have found their starting quarterback. Conor Miller returns to the ELF.   Musketeers bring back important piece  The Paris Musketeers have extended Stanley Zeregbe's contract. The Frenchman was an important piece of the Parisians' dominant defense las season. Thunder sign Offensive Rookie of the Year nominee Berlin Thunder has strengthened their running game. For this purpose, the team signed Emil Fuch. The 20-year-old was nominated for the Offensive Rookie of the Year award last season. Nordic Storm sign former ELF starter Nordic Storm has signed another top player from Sweden. Emil Hovde, who shone as a starter for the Berlin Thunder last season, has signed with the young franchise. Rhein Fire bring back US-Import Defensive back Darrius Nash will stay with Rhein Fire for another season. The current ELF Champion have extended the contract of the 25-year-old by one year. Don't miss a single ELF Game - get your Game Pass!

The Berlin Thunder continue to build their roster for the new season. With Emil Fuchs, they have added a talented young player to their running game. The 20-year-old made a strong impression last season and was even nominated for the Offensive Rookie of the Year award.   A bigger role for Fuchs in Berlin? Last season, Fuchs played for the Cologne Centurions, where he developed behind running back Gerald Ameln. After Ameln’s injury, Fuchs stepped up and started in two games.   In those games, he proved his talent, which likely caught the attention of the Thunder. So far in his ELF career, Fuchs has recorded 50 carries for 218 yards and 4 touchdowns.   Moving to Berlin could give Fuchs more playing time and opportunities on the field. It will be exciting to see what he can achieve with the Thunder! Get your tickets for the 2025 Championship Game!

The European League of Football (ELF) is set to kick off its 2025 season with 16 teams from nine countries, each led by a head coach bringing unique experience and vision to their respective franchises. Here's an overview of the head coaches steering the teams: DIVISION NORTH  Berlin Thunder - Jag Bal Returning to Berlin Thunder as head coach, Jag Bal brings a wealth of experience from both playing and coaching in Europe. His previous tenure with the Thunder in 2021 and roles with teams like the Berlin Adler and Cologne Centurions highlight his deep understanding of European football dynamics. Fans can expect a disciplined and strategic approach, aiming to elevate the Thunder's performance in the league. Hamburg Sea Devils - Shuan Fatah Shuan Fatah, one of Germany's most successful football coaches, takes the helm of the Hamburg Sea Devils. With multiple championships, including German Bowls and Eurobowls, Fatah emphasizes building a strong team foundation by focusing on local talent and detailed preparation. Supporters can anticipate a revitalized team committed to reclaiming its former glory to "Catch the Wave". Nordic Storm - John Shoop Leading the new expansion team, Nordic Storm, is John Shoop, an American coach with extensive experience in both the NFL and college football. His offensive expertise and commitment to player development are expected to lay a competitive foundation for the team in their inaugural season. The Storm head coach was the former Munich Ravens heads coach and Rhein Fire offensive coordinator in the ELF.   Rhein Fire - Jim Tomsula Jim Tomsula continues as the head coach for Rhein Fire, bringing a wealth of NFL experience, including a head coaching stint with the San Francisco 49ers. Under his leadership, Rhein Fire clinched the ELF Championship in 2024. Fans can expect a continuation of his defensive prowess and a team poised to defend their title. DIVISION WEST Cologne Centurions - Javan Lenhardt Javan Lenhardt steps into the role of head coach for the Cologne Centurions. With a background in coaching various European teams, Lenhardt is known for his defensive strategies and player development skills. Centurions supporters can look forward to a disciplined and resilient team on the field. Frankfurt Galaxy - Bart Andrus Bart Andrus, with a coaching career spanning the NFL, CFL, and NFL Europe, takes charge of Frankfurt Galaxy. Notably, he led the Amsterdam Admirals to a World Bowl victory in 2005. Andrus's vast experience is set to bring a strategic and seasoned approach, aiming to elevate the Galaxy's performance in the league to 2021 standards. Paris Musketeers - Jack Del Rio The Paris Musketeers have made a significant acquisition by appointing Jack Del Rio as head coach. With 12 seasons as an NFL head coach, leading teams like the Jacksonville Jaguars and Oakland Raiders, Del Rio brings a wealth of experience. His defensive acumen and leadership are expected to propel the Musketeers to new heights in the ELF.  Stuttgart Surge - Jordan Neuman Jordan Neuman continues to lead Stuttgart Surge, bringing a track record of success from his time with the Schwäbisch Hall Unicorns in the German Football League. Known for his offensive strategies and player-centric coaching style, Neuman aims to build on the team's previous successes and push for championship contention. DIVISION SOUTH Helvetic Mercenaries - Marcus Herford Marcus Herford takes over as head coach for the Helvetic Mercenaries. With previous coaching roles in the ELF and a successful tenure with the Hildesheim Invaders in the German Football League, Herford is known for his dynamic coaching style. Fans can expect an invigorated team with a focus on development and competitiveness. Madrid Bravos - Andrew Weidinger Andrew Weidinger brings a wealth of experience to the Madrid Bravos, having previously served as the offensive coordinator for Rhein Fire, leading them to back-to-back ELF championships. His offensive expertise and leadership are anticipated to make the Bravos a formidable force in the league. Munich Ravens - Kendral Ellison Kendral Ellison continues as the head coach for the Munich Ravens. With a background in European football and a focus on building strong, cohesive units, Ellison is dedicated to developing local talent and implementing strategic gameplay to enhance the Ravens' competitiveness. Raiders Tirol - Jim Herrmann Jim Herrmann remains at the helm of Raiders Tirol. With extensive coaching experience, including a Super Bowl win as a linebackers coach with the New York Giants, Herrmann brings a wealth of knowledge. His defensive expertise is expected to keep the Raiders as strong contenders in the league. DIVISION EAST  Fehérvár Enthroners - Mark Ridgley Mark Ridgley leads the Fehérvár Enthroners into the 2025 season. With a background in coaching multiple teams across Europe and a history of player development, Ridgley focuses on a disciplined approach to the game. His coaching philosophy is centered on team unity and building a competitive program capable of challenging top teams in the ELF. Prague Lions - Dave Warner Dave Warner continues as the head coach for the Prague Lions. With decades of coaching experience at the collegiate level, including time at Michigan State as an offensive coordinator, Warner brings a deep understanding of offensive playmaking. His ability to develop quarterbacks and establish an effective passing game will be crucial for the Lions' success in 2025. Vienna Vikings - Chris Calaycay Chris Calaycay remains the head coach of the Vienna Vikings, leading them to an undefeated regular season in 2024. With multiple championships under his belt, Calaycay's leadership and strategic acumen are expected to keep the Vikings at the forefront of the league. Panthers Wrocław - Craig Kuligowski Craig Kuligowski continues as the head coach for Panthers Wrocław. Known for his extensive experience coaching defensive lines in top U.S. college programs, Kuligowski brings a strong defensive mentality to the Panthers. His focus on developing an aggressive front and disciplined defense is expected to make Wrocław a formidable contender in 2025.