ELF: Week 4 Sees 8 Matchups in Packed Slate
After three weeks of play in the European League of Football, we have gotten a good idea of what each team is made of.
Week 4 has another good slate of games in which certain teams can separate themselves from the pack.
Rhein Fire at Paris Musketeers
The most exciting matchup of the week is also the first one that kicks off, as the Rhein Fire travel to Paris to face the Musketeers in a heavyweight battle. The Fire just had their 16 game winning streak snapped last week, so they will be eager to get back to their winning ways. Paris has looked like arguably the best team in the league so far, and they have a chance to confirm their status as title contenders with a win.
Madrid Bravos at Cologne Centurions
The team that knocked off the Fire last week, the Madrid Bravos, now turns their attention to the Centurions, who notched their first win of the season last week against the Enthroners. While the Bravos have received a lot of hype, and deservedly so, they should not overlook a scrappy Cologne team. After Chris Helbig’s injury last week, Steven Duncan makes his debut for the Bravos at quarterback.
Berlin Thunder at Vienna Vikings
The undefeated Vikings will also have a new quarterback this week, as Shelton Eppler replaces the injured Ben Holmes. The Vikings were able to defeat a strong Wroclaw team last week without an American quarterback. Now we will see how they handle a 2-1 Berlin team with Eppler under center.
Helvetic Mercenaries at Barcelona Dragons
The Dragons and Mercenaries meet for the second time this year, following a narrow Barcelona victory in week 1 in Switzerland. While these are two of the weaker teams in the league, this should be a hard-fought, competitive battle.
Wroclaw Panthers at Frankfurt Galaxy
Both of these teams were considered to be playoff contenders going into the season, but they have had slow starts in 2024, as the Panthers are 1-2 and the Galaxy are 0-2 (in fairness, both teams have had very tough schedules). The team that loses this game might enter panic mode early in the season. After the release of Steven Duncan following last week’s defeat, the Panthers signed John Uribe to take his place at quarterback. He makes his first start of the season on Sunday.
Milano Seamen at Stuttgart Surge
After getting blown out in their first two games, Milano was able to grab a win last week against the Mercenaries. Do not expect them to grab another, though, as they have to go on the road to face one of the best teams in the league in Stuttgart. This one should get out of hand early.
Munich Ravens at Raiders Tirol
The Raiders are another team with a new quarterback for week 4, as former Miami Hurricane N’Kosi Perry suits up for them. Both teams are 2-1, with blowout wins over weak teams and sizable losses against strong teams. This game will be a good way for both teams to prove they are playoff contenders.
Prague Lions at Hamburg Sea Devils
The winless Lions travel to Hamburg to meet the Sea Devils for the second time this season. Hamburg won 31-21 in week 1, but was throttled 41-14 by Paris in their second game. This is a good opportunity for them to bounce back, while Prague will try to get their first victory of the season.
