Football
The Vienna Vikings have been dethroned in the European League of Football (ELF). The defending champion lost a dramatic semi-final against Stuttgart Surge 33:40 (10:14) in front of a record home crowd of 10,108 fans in the Generali Arena and has to give up Europe’s crown in club football. For head coach Chris Calaycay’s team it was the first defeat of the season and the first home defeat in the ELF since joining the league last year.
16.09.2023 18.15
Online since today, 6:15 p.m
The Vikings were behind from the start and had a lot of trouble developing their offense, especially in the first half. In the meantime the hosts were behind 3:14, 10:20 and 24:32. Only seven and a half minutes before the end did the Viennese take the lead for the first time (33:32), but the Swabians had the last word on the field in the form of the winning touchdown including a successful two-point conversion by match winner Darrell Stewart Jr.
In the end, four touchdown passes thrown by Vikings quarterback Chris Helbig were not enough – also because the playmaker lost the ball in the guests’ end zone, which Stuttgart carried back for a touchdown through defender Maleka Mbala. Helbig also lost the leather again through a fumble three minutes before the end, which sealed the Violette’s exit.
GEPA/Kevin Hackner Quarterback Chris Helbig scored four touchdown passes, but he also lost crucial turnovers
Stuttgart will now face the winner of the second semi-final between Rhein Fire and Frankfurt Galaxy in the final in Duisburg on September 24th. The second semi-final takes place on Sunday.
