The Vienna Vikings of the European League of Football (ELF) have beaten their Austrian rival Raiders Tirol 13-7 to move to 10–0 and continue their undefeated existence in the pan-European league.
Following some back and forth from both sides in the first quarter, Vienna quarterback Chris Helbig opened up the scoring with a 29-yard pass down the seam to his tight end Florian Bierbaumer.
The Raiders’ offensive woes continued late into the first half until a 20-yard pass from the recently acquired Joe Dolincheck to Marco Schneider set them up with some solid field position. But some more tough defense by the Vikings forced the Raiders to attempt a 35-yard field goal which sailed wide left.
Photo: Hannes Jirgal
Tirol came out in the second half fired up and showed their intentions immediately with a 40-yard kick return by Jarvis McClam’s replacement, Trevon Sidney. Following a couple of short gains by wideout Philip Haun, the Raiders began to lean heavily on running back Lukas Haslwanter who eventually punched the ball in from the one-yard line to bring the score to seven a piece.
The stalemate then reintroduced itself. A whole lot more back and forth went deep into the fourth quarter until three rushes totaling 34 yards and a touchdown from Finnish running back Karri Pajarinen pushed Vienna back into the lead with 5:27 left to go in the game.
On the ensuing drive the Raiders put together an impressive drive that marched them most of the way down the field, but a game-ending interception from Finnish defensive back Elmeri Laalo abruptly put their hopes of a comeback to bed.
The Vikings are now 10–0 and have only the two worst teams in the Enthroners and Lions in the way of their second unbeaten season.