Vikings in the ELF final: Holmes leads to triumph over Nordic Storm!

Vikings in the ELF final: Holmes leads to triumph over Nordic Storm!

The Vienna Vikings made history again on August 30, 2025 by reaching the final of the European League of Football (ELF) for the third time. In front of 5,122 enthusiastic spectators at the Hohen Warte Stadium in Vienna, a new home record, the team beat the Nordic Storm from Copenhagen 28:20 in the semi-finals. The game was filled with excitement as the Vikings were tied at 14-14 at halftime. Ultimately, however, they took control and made it to the final, which will take place on September 7th in Stuttgart.

The performance of quarterback Ben Holmes was outstanding. He led the team with 260 yards and three touchdowns. His impressive throws also found wide receiver Yannick Mayr, who scored two touchdowns. Karri Pajarinen also contributed 145 yards to the running game. Defensively, Divine Buckrham and Timi Nuikka each had an interception, which helped the Vikings ultimately gain the upper hand. Holmes described Copenhagen as a stubborn opponent and highlighted the great atmosphere during the game. Benjamin Straight, another player, emphasized the unified team performance, which had a significant influence on the success.

Ben Holmes and the future of the Vikings

Ben Holmes, 29 years old, is returning to the Vienna Vikings for the 2025 season. The previous season, he led the team to an impressive 13-1 record and reached the championship game, losing to the Rhein Fire. Holmes, who attended Tarleton State University (NCAA DI), initially planned to retire after the season. However, after an outstanding performance and the support of his family, he decided otherwise.

During the 2024 regular season, he threw for 2,604 yards and scored a total of 34 touchdowns in nine games. He added another nine touchdowns in the playoffs. Holmes sees unfinished business in Vienna and emphasizes the importance of a stable quarterback position for the Vikings' future success. He plans to keep the core of the team together for the coming season.

The European League of Football at a glance

The European League of Football (ELF) is a professional American football league that was founded in 2020 and began its inaugural season in 2021. The league has 16 teams in the 2025 season, located in various European countries such as Austria, Czech Republic, Denmark and Germany. The headquarters is in Hamburg.

The current ELF champions are the Rhein Fire, who have also won two titles. Over the years, game viewership has increased significantly, from an average of 2,310 in the first season to 4,431 in the 2024 season. The league plans to expand to at least 24 teams in the future and has secured partnerships with DAZN to broadcast all games through 2032.

With the upcoming final and the return of Ben Holmes to the team, the Vienna Vikings are entering an exciting phase in their club history. Fans can look forward to a thrilling championship final and the challenges ahead next season.

For further details and current news about the Vienna Vikings and the ELF visit 5min.at or europeanleague.football.