Vikings start into the eleven year: Calaycay relies on team spirit against Lions

Vikings start into the eleven year: Calaycay relies on team spirit against Lions

on Sunday, May 18, 2025, at 4:25 p.m., the Vienna Vikings will compete against the Prague Lions at the start of the European League of Football (Elf) in 2025. The game is broadcast live at Puls 24. Head Coach Chris Calaycay, who has looked after the Vikings for over 20 years and has collected numerous titles, sees the team well positioned. Under his leadership, the Vikings achieved 24 wins in the last two regular season season and remained without defeat.

The offseason was very active for the Vikings, the 27 new additions, including the kicker Stefan Maierhofer. However, Calaycay emphasizes that success does not depend on the "star factor" of a single player, but that the team collective must continue to focus. In addition, the team has won all four previous duels against the Prague Lions in the past.

preparation for the new season

Another goal for Calaycay is to maintain the high level of performance and to warn against misjudgments of the competition. The team already has a strong squad and is focused on the start of the season and the upcoming important game against Rhein-Fire in week three, which Calaycay calls the "game of the year".

In addition, the Vikings rely on domestic talents. In the past few days, the team announced further new additions, including the veterans Flo Grünsteidl and Oskar Kranich as well as several league rookies. With Yannick Mayr, one of the best receivers in Europe, and Noah Toure, Offensive Rookie of the Year, the Vikings have also strengthened in the offensive area. This could be one of the best offensive units of the eleven on the field in 2025.

growth of the European League of Football

The eleven, a semi-professional league founded in November 2020, quickly developed and now comprises 16 teams from nine nations. Frankfurt Galaxy won the first four championships, while the Vienna Vikings won the title in 2022. The league has attracted some skepticism due to failed similar leagues in the past, but Commissioner Patrick Esume is optimistic about the boom of American football in Germany and the possible stability of the eleven.

The squad planning is crucial for the Vikings, since each team can have a maximum of 65 players in the squad, of which 53 are available for the active roster and 48 for the match day. The cohesion and structure within the team have increased steadily in recent years, which is documented by a variety of contract extensions and the return of proven players.

Next Sunday will be shown whether the intensive preparation and strategic decisions of the Vikings pay off. The fans can look forward to an exciting game at the start of the eleven season.