Two of the heavy preseason favorites to win the European League of Football championship, the undefeated Vienna Vikings and the defending champion Rhein Fire will clash today in front of what is expected to be a record crowd at Veltins-Arena Gelsenkirchen.
This will be a battle of the top passing team in the ELF in Vienna versus the top rushing team.
The Vikings with Ben Holmes under center have thrown for 3,388 yards and 42 touchdowns while Rhein running back Glen Toonga has led the best ground game which has generated 2,439 yards and 35 touchdowns.
Offensively, Vienna has scored 457 points (38.1/g) while the Fire has put up 476 (39.6/g). Both defenses have been equally tough with the Fire allowing 14.5 points per contest compared to Vienna’s 14.9.
Holmes threw for 2,603 yards and 34 touchdowns against just five interceptions during the regular season while the Fire’s Jadrian Clark passed for 2,215 yards and 27 touchdowns while getting picked off eight times. In the semifinal win over Paris, Holmes was outstanding throwing for 385 yards and five touchdowns,
Toonga led the league with 1,576 yards and 30 TDs but Vienna running back Karri Pajarinen was second rushing for 1,123 yards and 13 scores. Toonga rushed for 136 yards on 28 (!) carries in the semifinal win over the Stuttgart Surge.
Games within the game
The Fire’s defense vs. Vienna’s aerial offense: The biggest question going into this game is whether the Rhein Fire’s defense, the best in the league in terms of points allowed, can stop the high-flying Vikings’ aerial attack. The Vikings have consistently found ways to score through the air, even against tough defenses, and this matchup could be the key to the game. With receivers like Reece Horn and Noah Touré, the Vikings have two of the top 10 receivers.
The Vikings’ defense vs the Fire’s ground game: It will also be interesting to see if the Vikings can limit Rhein’s rushing attack. In Toonga, the Fire have the best running back in the league, who gets outstanding blocking from the offensive line and fullback Patrick Poetsch. The Vikings will need to recognize Rhein’s different formations and counter them if they want to win the game.
Red-zone efficiency: Both teams need to make the most of their chances inside the 20-yard line. Red-zone efficiency is often the deciding factor in close games like this one, and neither team can afford to miss out on scoring opportunities.
Special teams play: This game could come down to the play of the special teams units. Field goals, punts, and returns could play a crucial role, especially if the game is close in the final minutes.
The Coaches
Vienna Vikings head coach Chris Calaycay has guided his team since 2007. Under him, the Vikings won the Austrian Football League title 15 times, and the ELF title once, in 2022.
Fire HC Jim Tomsula is in his third season with the team and won the title in 2023. He was in fact the Fire’s head coach for the 2006 NFL Europe season. His NFL background includes stints with the San Francisco 49ers including as head coach (2015) as well as the Washington Redskins and Dallas Cowboys.
This may be the most mouthwatering championship matchup in the brief history of the ELF.