LIVESTREAM: Austria – Game of the Week – Prague Black Panthers @Dacia Vikings, Sat. March 16, 4p CEST (11a EDT)

The Dacia Vienna Vikings season opener will be a first class event on Saturday, March 16 against the Prague Black Panthers. The reigning Czech champions are returning to the Austrian Football League after a year’s absence.

Although there were doubts about what the Vikings would do about their open quarterback position, those doubts were quashed earlier this week with the arrival of 23-year old Austin Herink just in time for the 2019 season kickoff. The quarterback from East Tennessee State University landed on Monday and immediately started practicing.

Vikings burning for the upcoming season

Along with Herink, Austrian QB #14 Yannick Mayr is ready for opening weekend. Both playmakers are in great shape for the start of the season against the Panthers. The Vikings have been preparing for the 2019 season and have worked hard to get where they are. New to the Vikings rosters is DB and safety Dustin Rivas from Colorado Mesa University. He will join the returning MVPs including WR #4 Bernhard Seikovits, Safety #32 Luis Horvath, and DL #1 Leon Balogh. Last season, Horvath recorded a total of 7 interceptions while Balogh had 15 sacks on the season. Both led the Austrian Football League in these categories.

Vikings Head Coach Chris Calaycay:

“We are looking forward to the start of the season and can hardly wait for the kickoff against the Panthers. A warm welcome back to the AFL to the Black Panthers.”

The Panthers are back

The Panthers are back to back Czech series champions with eight titles in a row. Relying on mobile US quarterback Dylan Potts, the team is hoping to make a successful comeback to the AFL. Potts previously played for the Mödling  Rangers and Danube Dragons, where he had the reputation of being able to take over a game, which was true against the Vikings last season. There are more overseas members joining the Panthers this season, DB and LB positions Matt Vinal and Herbert Gamboa. With offensive line coach Michael Chevalier, defensive line coach James Brooks, and head coach Daniel Levy working together, many are curious about how the coaching staff is going to bring back a fresh Black Panthers team.

Thanks to the AFL deal with the national broadcaster ORF, the game can be watched on TV as well as online via livestream

Watch the game live here. Prague Black Panthers @Dacia Vikings, Sat. March 16, 4p CEST (11a EDT)