9 games, 9 wins

Still unbeaten! Vikings also cheer in Berlin

The Vienna Vikings have also won their ninth game of the season in the European League of Football (ELF). The Viennese team won a surprisingly clear 34:9 (17:6) away at Berlin Thunder on Sunday and thus secured their play-off place as winners of the Eastern Conference. 

With three games remaining against lower-ranked teams, a 12-0 record after the basic round also seems within reach for the 2022 ELF champions.

Holmes in command
The Vikings did not allow the feared Berlin offense to develop at all at Friedrich Ludwig Jahn Sportpark. In addition, quarterback Ben Holmes shone behind a strong offensive line with 21 of 25 passes completed, three touchdowns and no interceptions. The Viennese are now conference winners for the third time in a row. "That was our goal. That was the first mountain we wanted to climb on the way to the championship - and we did it," explained Holmes.

Holmes had special praise for his offensive coordinator Max Sommer. Austria's national team coach became a father for the second time this week and was able to take the match ball home with him. Next Saturday, he and the Vikings will host the Prague Lions before a visit to the Helvetic Mercenaries (August 3) and another home game in Wiener Neustadt against the Fehervar Enthroners (August 17) at the end of the regular season. The two top teams in the ELF basic round will go straight through to the semi-finals.