The ELF Season Two – The Excitement Grows
The European League of Football has just completed its second season of competition. What was considered by some as an “interesting experiment” has continued to build on its initial success and looks set to expand its footprint even further across continental Europe. For its third season it has announced its plans to add a further six teams. Their 2022 franchises are predominantly based in Germany, but they also have teams in Spain, Turkey, Poland and Austria, with the new teams joining in 2023 they will also have a presence in Italy, Switzerland, Hungary, the Czech Republic and France.
Under the leadership of League Commissioner Patrick Esume and CEO Zelijko Karajica the popularity of the ELF amongst both players and fans has continued to grow. They have a good understanding of the commercial fundamentals required to make the venture a success and have also utilised social media to great effect. Apart from in stadium attendance, they have a “Gamepass” subscription service with members in over fifty countries, a youtube channel that has had over 3.5 million views and 105 thousand followers on twitter.
Patrick Esume provides dynamic leadership
The model for the League was designed to predominantly give the home grown players in each location the chance to play at a higher level, with each roster having a limited number of American import players and other ”non-nationals”. The US import players have been of a good standard, some with NFL experience and others coming from Division one NCAA programmes, they have added a degree of on field technical ability that leads to “splash plays” which in turn attracts more spectators and raises the game of the national players around them.
So, what about this years Championship game? Last year’s beaten finalists, the Hamburg Sea Devils were on a mission, having narrowly lost out to Frankfurt in 2021, they were determined to go one step further and claim the title. With British running back Glen Toonga leading the way in the backfield they made it all the way to the final. Coming into the game, Toonga led the league in rushing yards and the Sea Devils were looking to him to give them the edge.
Glen Toonga keyed the Hamburg Offence
Their opponents would be first year ELF franchise, the Vienna Vikings. With American quarterback Jackson Erdmann at the helm the Vikings had plotted a course through the season and thought they had the gameplan to get the job done and claim the title. Key to their success would be for their defence to close down Toonga as best they could, a strategy that they managed to execute effectively. In front of a crowd of over 14,000 lively fans Vienna got on the scoreboard first with a touchdown from a screen pass. The Sea Devils got a score back, but their PAT was blocked so the Vikings led it 7-6. It was close for a while, but gradually Vienna got the upper hand with American Exavier Edwards proving to be a thorn in Hamburg’s side. Hamburg were kept out of the endzone, having to accrue points through field goals (they kicked three). At the end, the Vikings secured the win and the title by a score of 27-15.
The Vikings Celebrate their win with Commissioner Esume!
It had been a great spectacle that further enhanced the reputation of the League. The combination of the Americans and the elite European players who are plying their trade is an attractive formula. Top British tackle Toby Lettman anchored the Vikings Offensive line and is delighted to be playing in the League.
“The ELF was super competitive this year. The league was stacked with talent. It has been an absolute honour to represent the Vienna Vikings in the ELF and that trophy looks damn good in our trophy cabinet. I’m not sure what is next for me. I’m still celebrating our success.”
Toby Lettman (77) flying the flag with fellow proud Brit Matthew Daltrey (56)
It’s exciting to think where the ELF goes next expansion wise. They have a deal with the NFL to use the old NFL Europe names, so possibly a Dutch team, the Amsterdam Admirals or maybe we could see the Scottish Claymores or even the London Monarchs!
Images Courtesy of Sarah Philipp