ELF: Week 12 Sees 7 Matchups as Teams Look to Keep Pace in Playoff Races
With only three weeks remaining in the 2024 European League of Football regular season, every game is crucial for teams in the playoff hunt. Here is a look at the matchups of week 12.
Prague Lions (0-10) @ Fehervar Enthroners (2-7)
Without a doubt, this is the Lions’ best remaining chance to earn a victory for the first time in their tenure in the ELF. These two teams have been at the bottom of the Eastern Conference since their entrance into the league in 2023. The Enthroners have gotten the upper hand over the Lions every time, so let’s see if Prague can end their skid.
Madrid Bravos (7-2) @ Frankfurt Galaxy (3-6)
Fresh off a 52-7 drubbing of the Hamburg Sea Devils, the Bravos travel to Frankfurt to face a Galaxy team that was shocked by Cologne last week. While the Bravos are 7-2 and the Galaxy are 3-6, these teams might be closer in talent than the records indicate. Frankfurt could realistically put up a decent fight at home.
Raiders Tirol (6-3) @ Stuttgart Surge (9-0)
In the best game of the week, the 6-3 Raiders take on the undefeated Stuttgart Surge. These teams met in Innsbruck in week 8, when the Raiders had the Surge on the ropes before losing 30-25 in the closest game Stuttgart has played all year. While the Raiders will be out for revenge, Stuttgart does have the benefit of home field advantage.
Paris Musketeers (7-2) @ Cologne Centurions (4-5)
Both of these teams emerged victorious in thrillers last week. Cologne erased a 21 point deficit to upend the Galaxy in overtime, while Paris held off the Berlin Thunder on the road in a 40-37 game. At 4-5, Cologne could technically make the playoffs if they won out. Their final two games are against weak Hamburg and Fehervar squads, so an upset over Paris would go a long way for them.
Barcelona Dragons (2-7) at Munich Ravens (6-3)
To say the Dragons have had a rough season would be an understatement. With tons off issues both on the field and off the field, they have not been competitive since the beginning of the season. Munich beat them 54-0 last time, and they should roll over the Spanish visitors again as they seek to keep pace in the playoff hunt.
Wroclaw Panthers (4-5) @ Berlin Thunder (4-6)
This is a matchup between two teams expected to fight for a playoff spot at the beginning of the year. They met in week 1 and put on a great game in Wroclaw, with the Panthers winning 49-39. However, Wroclaw’s season went downhill quickly, as they now sit at 4-5, while the 4-6 Thunder have played in many competitive games against good teams but have failed to beat any. Now this game has become meaningless in terms of the playoff race.
Hamburg Sea Devils (2-7) @ Rhein Fire (9-1)
In a rivalry matchup which was competitive in years past, this game should not be particularly close. The defending champion Fire are looking like arguably the best team in the league right now, while the 2-7 Sea Devils were just destroyed 52-7 in Madrid. This one could be over quickly.
