Raiders Tirol

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 

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 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.  

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. oxforddictionar.i: Where are the players pooled from; Lesser leagues or is it schools? Players in the European League of Football (ELF) come from all over the world and from very different backgrounds. Homegrown players usually stem from national and regional American Football leagues from different countries around Europe. However, some European players in the ELF also played for different college programs in the United States or were under contract in the Canadian Football League and other professional leagues in North America.  The European import players are very similar to the homegrown players. The major difference to them compared to homegrown players is their home country and the teams they sign with in the European League of Football. The American import players usually have a college background. Most of the new American imports signed by teams in the ELF even have NFL experience, just like recently signed Helvetic Mercenaries wide receiver Keelan Cole!  grabxwski: How can we watch the games and what time do they usually play? All games of the European League of Football are accessible through the ELF Game Pass worldwide. Click here for more information and special offers to get your ELF Game Pass now, to be prepared for the upcoming season! Usual kickoff times are on Saturday at 6pm (CEST) and on Sunday from 1pm (CEST) to 4:25pm (CEST). In the upcoming fifth season of the European League of Football, 16 teams will fight for the European League of Football Championship in four different divisions. steve_keef: Which team fits me the most? I’m from Bad Kreuznach, very close to the Rhine! Thank you for your question! Every team in the European League of Football is unique. As a fan, it mostly comes down to what team resonates with you the most. Being from Bad Kreuznach, the Frankfurt Galaxy are the closest team geographically. So, if you want to visit a lot of home games, this might be your team to choose! However, all the other 15 teams in the European League of Football have enticing players, storylines and more! Check out the teams websites and our articles about the teams on our website to lock down your favorite for the upcoming 2025 season! © European League of Football 

As we move deeper into the off-season it means we are even closer to kicking off the 2025 season. The next season will be the European League of Football’s fifth season as it looks to keep growing year after year.  Recently there have been a flurry of player and coach signings, as well as major media announcements, including the ELF’s new deal with DAZN. Let’s chat about it all below! DAZN questions: Many fans have asked about the logistics of the new 8-year deal that the ELF signed with DAZN. There will be more details to come which will explain how the ELF Game Pass will be integrated with DAZN’s platform both from a pricing and content side of things. In short, stay tuned for more DAZN and ELF details to come.  Babayaga707M: Is there a ELF Combine? Or do you recruit players? Great question here from an even better username. Many teams will run their own combine’s in order to see not only homegrown players from the area, but also players from different European countries and even those that have flown thousands of miles for a shot in the ELF. Team’s will continue hosting their own tryouts and combine’s throughout the off-season as they hope to fill up their roster prior to training camp.  Rampagequomony5: What country will the ELF expand to next? Fans have been wondering about this one for a while! This year many fans were surprised as the Nordic Storm joined the league as an expansion franchise. Many have speculated that major European cities such as London, Dublin, Amsterdam, and others would be good fits due to their massive populations. The league will likely look to continue to grow in 2026, however this year’s teams are set.  Jules_bnf: When can I buy a match ticket? This was certainly my favorite question of the bunch. The full ELF schedule is available to block out your calendar’s. Some teams have begun selling tickets on their website’s while others will follow soon.  Most importantly, the biggest game of the ELF season, the 2025 Championship in Stuttgart does have tickets available and has already sold more than 10K tickets.  Get your ELF CG 25 Tickets here

New opportunities for talents across Europe Last year, several teams in the European League of Football (ELF) already took advantage of the opportunity to sign players from neighboring countries as "homegrowns". The Wrocław Panthers were able to recruit from Ukraine, the Prague Lions signed talents from Slovakia, and the Fehérvár Enthroners were able to bring in players from Romania. Homegrowns are defined as players who began playing football in the respective countries. These players fall under the "Homegrown Salary Cap" of the corresponding franchise. New homegrown territories for the 2025 season This season, the regulation is being expanded to include additional regions. The Nordic Storm, based in Denmark, can now sign players from Sweden as homegrowns. The Wrocław Panthers from Poland gain access to talents from the Baltic countries (Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia), while the Fehérvár Enthroners can additionally include players from Serbia as homegrowns. This expansion enables franchises to nurture and integrate even more young talents from across Europe into the ELF. Special regulation for Italian players A notable new provision concerns the allocation of Italian players. Football talents who began their careers in eastern Northern Italy can now be signed as Homegrowns by the Austrian franchises (Raiders Tirol and Vienna Vikings). Players from western Northern Italy, on the other hand, may be designated as Homegrowns by the Helvetic Mercenaries (Switzerland). This regulation strengthens the ELF's presence in Italy and offers talented players the opportunity to develop at the highest level. Objective: Competitive balance and equal opportunities The expansion of Homegrown territories aims to further enhance competitive balance within the league and create new opportunities for players across Europe. Through this regulation, talents outside the limited E-Spots can now have a chance to prove themselves in the ELF and continue their development. Patrick Esume, Commissioner of the European League of Football, emphasizes the significance of this update: "It is a top priority for us to develop new homegrown heroes in previously untapped territories. We are aware of the potential in countries such as Serbia and the Baltic states, and we want to provide these players with a platform to showcase their abilities. Particularly in Italy, it is important for us to maintain a strong presence and offer talents the opportunity to compete at the highest level. With the new regulations, players from Northern Italy can now more easily join the franchises that best suit them and demonstrate their skills." Get your Game Pass NOW!

The Prague Lions recently clarified the team's most important position: Their quarterback. Javarian Smith will be in charge of this position next season, leading his new team and directing the offense.  He is not the first playmaker to sign a new contract this offseason. Matthew McKay returned to Frankfurt Galaxy. Isaiah Weed moves from the Cologne Centurions to the Helvetic Mercenaries. And the Wroclaw Panthers, Madrid Bravos and Munich Ravens brought three new US-Americans into the league with Demarcus Irons, Reid Sinnett and Russel Tabor. Meanwhile, other teams still have to be patient. After all, the starting quarterback is still missing. The Hamburg Sea Devils got serious this offseason. With head coach Shuan Fatah, one of the best coaches in Europe moved to Hamburg. With Kyle Kitchens, they signed the three-time ELF Defensive Player of the Year.  Added to this are a number of important extensions, new players and homegrowns. The Sea Devils are well on the way to regaining their former strength. The German team reached the Championship Game in 2021 and 2022. After that, they missed the playoffs twice.  What Hamburg still lacks, however, is a consistently good quarterback. Javarian Smith started last season, but was replaced by D'Angelo Fulford after just five games. Smith now plays for the Prague Lions, Fulford is a free agent. The Paris Musketeers had a difficult start to the offseason. First, Head Coach Marc Mattioli extended his contract. A few weeks later, he resigned for personal reasons. On the field, the quarterback is the most important position - off the field, it's the head coach.  In the meantime, the French have filled this important gap with former NFL head coach Jack Del Rio. The Musketeers have also extended their contracts with their first players. Tight end Kevin Mwamba and wide receiver Austin Mitchell are staying in Paris.  Whoever becomes quarterback in France's capital will find two top receiving options. Last season, star QB Zach Edwards was able to take advantage of this. The US import was one of the best players in the league. Edwards is currently still a free agent. Is a return on the horizon? Stuttgart Surge also slowly started the offseason. But the German team is now also starting to sign players. Last season, quarterback Reilly Hennessey caused a stir with his good performances. With 2888 passing yards, the 29-year-old threw for the fourth most in the ELF. However, his future is not yet clear.   Surge is facing an exciting season. After all, the 2025 Championship Game will take place in the MHP Arena in Stuttgart on September 7th. Head coach Jordan Neuman recently described the chance to play a final in his own city as an attractive tool and argument when signing players. Does this also have an effect on Hennessey? Get your Championship tickets now! The Raiders Tirol are coming off a good season with a bitter end. They only missed out on a place in the play-offs on the final matchday. The foundation of the Austrian team seems to be working. The coaching team has been restructured somewhat, and the contracts of many star players and homegrown players have been extended.  What is missing is a quarterback. After all, former starter N'Kosi Perry is currently a free agent. The Fehérvár Enthroners are definitely looking to improve after a disappointing season. After all, the team finished the season with a record of 2-10, with quarterback John Mangel rarely managing to liven up an overall weak offense.  Mangel is a free agent, his replacement has yet to be appointed.   The Cologne Centurions are also looking for a new quarterback. Last season, Isaiah Weed took over this job. He now plays for the Helvetic Mercenaries. Head coach Jag Bal has also left the Centurions.  The Centurions therefore have to fill two hugely important positions. Don't miss a single ELF Game - get your Game Pass!  

Vincent Müller has extended his contract with the Raiders Tirol for another season. The homegrown safety had already played for the Austrian team for six years before the team joined the ELF in 2022. “Vincent's dedication to this team is second to none. His leadership on and off the field is amazing. In his presence, everyone around him strives to get better”, says Raiders General Manager Ulz Däuber. Müller is also looking forward to continuing to be part of the team: “I'm excited to be back for another year. Can't wait to go on the field with my brothers and give it my all for this team” The 29-year-old has already played 29 ELF games, in which he recorded 111 tackles, including 5.5 for loss, three pass deflections and three interceptions. He also forced two fumbles. The Raiders, meanwhile, are able to retain a key component of their defense. Don't miss a single ELF Game - get your Game Pass!

The European League of Football has set a milestone on the way to the biggest game in the history of European football: four months before the kick-off of the 2025 season, advance sales for the Championship Game on September 7th in the MHP Arena of German soccer runners-up VfB Stuttgart have already broken the 10,000 ticket mark. The ELF is on the hunt for records. “We are delighted that the European League of Football is generating this enthusiasm and are grateful for the support of the football family. We have succeeded in bringing this great sport to the big stadiums. With the Championship Game in the MHP Arena andthe strong support of VfB Stuttgart, we have set ourselves the goal of staging the best-attended game in the history of European football. We are on the right track,” says Zeljko Karajica, Managing Director of the continental league. "No fan should miss the Championship Game" To break the previous record, more than 48,125 spectators would have to be present in the “living room” of the traditional soccer club on September 7. That was the number of fans at the 2007 NFL Europe final between hosts Frankfurt Galaxy and the Hamburg Sea Devils. The previous record in the European League of Football was set at the recent championship game between Rhein Fire and the Vienna Vikings in Gelsenkirchen, with 41,364 fans watching the clash in the FC Schalke 04 arena. "I still get excited when I think about the atmosphere surrounding the final in Gelsenkirchen. That was a day of celebration for football in Europe, with outstanding sport on the pitch and a really great atmosphere in the stands. We are motivated and firmly believe that, together with the football community, we can top that once again this year in Stuttgart. No fan of the best sport in the world should miss the Championship Game in the MHP Arena,” says ELF commissioner Patrick Esume. 16 franchises from nine nations It remains to be seen which teams will be victorious in the regular season and the playoffs. The only thing that is clear is that Commissioner Esume will once again present the trophy to the winner after the final. Who will join Frankfurt Galaxy (2021 in Düsseldorf), the Vienna Vikings (2022 in Klagenfurt) and back-to-back champions Rhein Fire (2023 in Duisburg and 2024 in Gelsenkirchen) on this prestigious list? 16 franchises from nine nations will compete: Rhein Fire, Berlin Thunder, Hamburg Sea Devils, Munich Ravens, Stuttgart Surge, Frankfurt Galaxy, Cologne Centurios (all Germany), Vienna Vikings, Raiders Tirol (both Austria), Fehérvár Enthroners (Hungary), Panthers Wroclaw (Poland), Prague Lions (Czech Republic), Helvetic Mercenaries (Switzerland), Madrid Bravos (Spain), Paris Musketeers (France) and newcomer Nordic Storm (Denmark). Get your tickets for the 2025 Championship Game now!   

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. whoismarkoka: Can you tell some things about the ELF’s history and its establishment? The European League of Football (ELF) was officially launched back in 2021 as an initiative to bring professional American football back to Europe on a large scale. The league is spearheaded by Patrick Esume, a former player and highly respected coach, who took on the role of Commissioner.  The inaugural season featured eight teams from Germany, Spain, and Poland, kicking off what has since become an annual tradition of thrilling competition. With a mix of domestic and international players, the ELF quickly established itself as a bridge between European talent and global opportunities.  Now entering its fifth season in 2025, the ELF has expanded significantly, boasting teams from various countries, including Austria, France, Denmark, and Sweden, with growing fan-bases and increased media coverage.  htjones: Where can US viewers watch the games? All games of the European League of Football are accessible through the ELF Game Pass worldwide. Click here for more information and special offers to get your ELF Game Pass now, to be prepared for the upcoming season! In the upcoming fifth season of the European League of Football, 16 teams will fight for the European League of Football Championship in four different divisions  thefieldgeneral_7: Are there any teams still looking for American import players? So far, a lot of the 16 teams in the European League of Football are right in the midst of filling up their roster spots, including the American import spots. However, there are still a few American import spots left on some teams.  If you are looking to join a roster of the European League of Football as an American import player, a European import player, or as a homegrown player, please visit the team’s website for information on point of contacts and potential combines conducted by single franchises!  © European League of Football 

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. patrickblakley: How many Americans play in the league? Every team is allowed to have up to four Americans on their team. So far, every team in the European League of Football used the maximum of American spots on their team. In general, each team is allowed to have four Americans and six European import players. These players are players not from the country of the franchise but also not from the United States. The rest of the roster must be filled with players from the country your franchise is located in.  Do you want to know how many ELF players were from your country last season? Check out our article by clicking HERE!  thomas_e96: When does Fantasy Football start this season? The Fantasy Football season will certainly be back for the 2025 season of the European League of Football. The exact start of the Fantasy Manager will be announced in the upcoming weeks. However, we aim to start with the ELF Fantasy Manager late in Spring. gilalza: How can I play in the European League of Football?  Usually, teams in the European League of Football hold try outs for interested athletes to become part of their roster. If you are interested in playing for a European League of Football franchise in 2025, please reach out to the teams or even attend a try out to show your skills! Contact information for every ELF team can be found on the respective websites of each team! © European League of Football   

The Raiders Tirol extend their next wide receiver. Homegrown Philipp Haun remains a Raider for another year. "I’m incredibly excited to attack 2025 with even more focus! We’re going to start the season faster and stronger than ever before!”, says Haun. The wideout joined the Raiders in 2022 and quickly earned a regular spot. Since then, he has played 36 games for the Raiders, catching 133 passes for 1,698 yards and 16 touchdowns. Haun is the fourth wide receiver the Raiders have introduced this offseason. He is joined by the longtime Raiders Adrian Platzgummer, Toni Rabensteiner and Marco Schneider Don't miss a single ELF Game - get your Game Pass!

The Raiders Tirol are bringing back homegrown tight end Richard Weber. Weber was a key part of the Raiders passing game last year and looks to bring his size and experience to help Tirol make the playoffs in 2025.  "I’m looking forward to another season with the Raiders Tirol. It’s time to take our performance to the next level. Come to the stadium and support us! Go Raiders!"The 27-year-old Austrian caught 20 passes for 208 yards and two touchdowns last year. Including a game winning touchdown grab against the Stuttgart Surge on the road last season. The 193 cm and 118kg tight end is also a great blocker in the run game. Weber played several seasons for the Danube Dragons before joining the Raiders in 2023.  Raiders general manager Ulz Däuber on what Weber brings to the team.  "Richard is one of the best TEs in the league. He can block, he can catch and he can dominate his opponents. I’m excited to watch Richard grow under and NFL Coaching Staff to even higher levels." Get Your ELF Gamepass!

The offseason of the European League of Football has already been underway for a few weeks. It is therefore not surprising that some teams have already been very active in putting together their squads for the upcoming season. Other teams were more reserved. They concluded few to no deals and focused more on planning. The 2025 season is taking shape. The rosters are growing, the divisions and the schedule are already known.  At the turn of the year, we summarize the current offseason a bit. The biggest Rosters Fans of the Helvetic Mercenaries can look forward to the biggest roster so far. The Swiss team has already presented 31 players for the 2025 season. Madrid Bravos have also been very busy, signing 28 players and the Hamburg Sea Devils 26. The Vienna Vikings are also doing well with 20 signings, Frankfurt Galaxy with 17 players and league newcomers Nordic Storm with 15 signings. The smallest Rosters The Cologne Centurions, Paris Musketeers and Stuttgart Surge have been particularly reserved so far and have not announced any new signings yet. How good that there is still plenty of time until the start of the season on May 17. The biggest Coaching Staff The Tirol Raiders have the largest coaching staff so far. Head coach Jim Herrmann's coaching team includes a total of seven members. They are closely followed by the Helvetic Mercennaries with six coaches and the Prague Lions with four coaches. The 2025 Offseason in Numbers Signings: 194 Homegrowns: 132 Coaches: 32 Average player age: 26 years Some Splash Moves Kyle Kitchens to Hamburg Sea Devils Shuan Fatah to Hamburg Sea Devils Gleen Toonga and Jadrian Clark to Nordic Storm Omari Williams stays with Rhein Fire Reid Sinnett to Madrid Bravos   Disclaimer: The numbers shown only refer to contract extensions and signings made this offseason. Don't miss a single ELF Game - get your Game Pass!

The 2024 season of the Tirol Raiders was characterized by ups and downs. Team captain Adrian Platzgummer knows this too, but he draws a lot of motivation from a special moment. The Raiders had their eyes firmly set on the playoffs until the final match day. However, a clear 3:30 defeat against the Munich Ravens clearly destroyed these hopes. “It was very, very disappointing, and frustrating,” remembers Platzgummer. The 29-year-old explains: “It felt like we were never in the game, like we were passengers and just had to watch the Ravens stop us and secure their playoff spot.” A tough defeat for the Austrians, but one that will give them new motivation. This also applies to Platzgummer, who recently extended his contract: “If you don't win the last game of the season and therefore don't become champions, you always use the last defeat as motivation.” Victory over Surge as a major highlight of the season Platzgummer draws further motivation from his personal highlight of the season: the 45:42 victory against the previously unbeaten Stuttgart Surge in week 12. “I think that was very important for us as a team and as an organization. It proved to us that we are on the right track. That we're doing a lot of things right.” A strong performance, but one that Platzgummer had already expected: “It wasn't like we had the feeling that we were the clear underdogs. We already knew, after the first game against Surge, that we were close to beat them.” He adds: “And our head coach Herrmann got very emotional after the game because it simply meant a lot to him that we believed so much in him and his path and everything. That made him very proud.” Don't miss a single ELF Game - get your Game Pass!

In the European League of Football, you will meet many protagonists who have already worked in the NFL. Be it as players or coaches. This also applies to Charles Eger. As part of a coaching program, the new Offensive Coordinator of the Tirol Raiders helped in organizing team activities of the Los Angeles Rams and Pittsburgh Steelers. A time from which he learned a lot that will help him now in his coaching career in pro football. “The greatest part about the NFL experience was just understanding how to manage pro players,” explains Eger. By that, he means understanding the schedule to not overload the players. “There's a big difference in college football and in pro football in terms of preparing guys.” The longer the season, the more difficult this is. “You can't just go and smash in drills and in practice,” Eger says. He adds: “You have to learn how to control and take care of their bodies because the rosters are so small, there's literally half of what you have in college football.” The new Offensive Coordinator of the Tirol Raiders: Charles Eger. ©Goran Milosavljevic "I'm proud of my path" Eger has coached American Football at almost every level. This includes high school teams, a lot of college football in the third, second and first divisions and also teams from the Canadian Football League. “I'm proud of my path,” he reveals. He had to work hard for his career. “I wasn't a coach's kid. I didn't get the start in the NFL. I literally had to climb the ladder.” With success. Last season, he already formed one of the best O-lines in the ELF for the Raiders. Adrian Platzgummer, one of the Raiders captains, described Eger as “the best offense coach I've ever experienced or watched anywhere.” Certainly not the first compliment Eger has received in his long coaching career. And certainly not the last. Don't miss a single ELF Game - get your Game Pass!  

The Tirol Raider can look back on a good season with one clear setback: On the last match day, they lost clearly against the Munich Ravens. This shattered any hopes of making the playoffs. However, Raiders captain Ruben Seeber does not want to be demoralized by this. If you ask the experienced linebacker about the most important moment of the past season, his choice is easy: Like his teammate Jan Mayerhofer, Seeber would also like to highlight the Raiders' second game against Stuttgart Surge. “We were able to make a statement because we were definitely the underdogs and nobody expected us to be able to upset Stuttgart,” explains Seeber. The previously unbeaten Surge went into the game as clear favorites and ended up losing 42:45. This makes the Raiders the only team that was able to defeat Surge during the last regular season. Seeber also had a good game. The 25-year-old made six tackles and forced a very important fumble. Shortly before his own end zone, he knocked the ball out of Surge quarterback Reilly Hennessy's hands on a quarterback sneak. “That's actually something I've been trying to achieve for a long time,” says Seeber. Important play thanks to excellent preparation A turnover that made a significant contribution to the Raiders' victory. In the end, Seeber prevented the opponent from scoring points that they thought were kind of guaranteed. The quarterback sneak is considered extremely difficult to defend. According to Seeber, he had already predicted before the game that he would make a big play. The defensive star went into the match-up fully prepared. He was able to read the audibles of the opposing quarterback before the important play. “I was pretty ready and didn't actually think much at that moment, my instincts took over. I just tried to focus on the ball and get in his direction as quickly as possible and knock it out,” he says. And his instincts are well-developed. Seeber has already been playing American football since he was five years old. So, in his 20 years of experience, he has already seen quite a few snaps and situations. Hope for consistency Seeber therefore also knows how to deal with defeats. This also applies to the painful 3:30 defeat against the Ravens, which meant the end of the fight for the playoffs. Nevertheless, he does not want to lose hope for next season. “You have to remember that a lot of things have changed with the new system we've introduced last season,” says Seeber. By that he means above all the way in which training and analysis is carried out. “The whole organization and the ELF have definitely become more professional”, he adds. But Seeber reminds to be patient until they have completely internalized their system. He also looks at the competition: “You can see it with Rhein Fire and the Vienna Vikings. These are teams that have been playing the same system for a very long time and have been playing together for a long time.” What both teams also have in common: Fire and the Vikings are among the best ELF teams in recent years. Seeber believes the Raiders can also find this consistency. “And then I think we can definitely draw from greater resources and greater knowledge next year than we've already done this year.” Don't miss a single ELF Game - get your Game Pass!