The European League of Football has seen an influx of NFL and USFL calibre players and head coaches arrive in preparation for its fifth season but, with all teams levelling up their rosters, can struggling teams like the Prague Lions, Helvetic Mercenaries and Colognes Centurions catch up with playoff regulars like the Vienna Vikings and Rhein Fire? Brett Rosenbaum lays out each team’s chances.

 

East Division

Fehervar Enthroners (2-10)

The Hungarian side endured a difficult 2024 season, with major shortcomings in both offensive output and defensive organisation. The turnaround strategy began with the acquisition of Mark Ridgley at HC and OC Shawn Cooper coming over from the now-defunct Barcelona Dragons. Several high-calibre players, including Serbian defensive backs Nemanja Vuckovic and veteran Goran Sec will improve coverage in the secondary and, matched with a bolstered defensive line — now featuring Akram Adam, Aleksi Olavou and US defensive end Emmit Gooden — will help increase the pressure applied by Enthroners. On offense, QB Brock Domann, a product of Division I NCAA programme Louisville, will bring more dynamic play.

Panthers Wroclaw (6-6)

Re-signing linebacker A.J. Wentland was a huge win for the Polish franchise, as is having domestic veteran Adam Lary at DB, a much-needed figure given the retirement of long-term defensive captain Kamil Ruta. On offense, new OC Jared Burton will have Mateusz Wojakiewicz returning, while the addition of Estonian Ott Eric Ottender (UMASS) only adds to what should be a gritty team that will be among the ones to beat to make the playoffs.

Prague Lions (1-11)

Head coach Dave Warner has focused on continuity in the second year of Mason Parker’s ownership, and re-signing American quarterback Javarian Smith highlights the club’s commitment to blending experience with emerging talent. The Lions may have re-signed their entire defensive line, but face challenges with a below-average pass game and an otherwise struggling defense. The vibes coming from the team’s social media output are overwhelmingly positive, however, as they seek to improve on a miserable 2024 campaign, which shouldn’t be that difficult. An all-star ownership group that includes former Jacksonville Jaguars running back Maurice Jones-Drew will be looking for the same application on the field that has already been shown by those righting the ship in the Czech capital.

Vienna Vikings (12-0)

Consistency comes with a competitive culture in Vienna. Head coach Chris Calaycay brings back his staff and adds more expertise in WR coach Max Kossler. It is a similar story with the re-signing of key players, including US import Reece Horn, fellow wideouts Daniel Schwam and Noah Toure and QB Ben Homes. They have lost two captains in Aleksander Milanovic and Luis Horvath, but doubled down on veteran defensive linemen Florian Grunsteidl and Oskar Kranich, as well as All-Star outside linebacker Jan-Phillip Bombek. The Vikings have leaned into their Nordic affiliation with Finns Timi Nuikka at linebacker, returning running back Karri Pajarinen and defensive back Elmeri Laalo. Add in massive Swedish O-lineman Victor Stoffel (formerly at Temple) and CFL/USFL defensive back Dennis Amani, and it will be hard to discount the Vikings at any point.

 

North Division

Berlin Thunder (5-7)

The Thunder have appointed Jag Bal as their new head coach, and he brings in fellow Canadian Adam Rita, the erstwhile HC in Barcelona, to be his OC, along with O-line specialist Art Valero. Signing reigning rookie of the year Emil Fuchs away from Cologne will help improve a previously average run game, but losing Aaron Jackson to cross-town GFL team Berlin Rebels — via a brief sojourn in Switzerland — will be both a blow and an unwelcome precedent. As usual, fans should expect a well-coached Thunder team that will be both competitive and well turned out after a change of uniform over the offseason.

Hamburg Sea Devils (2-10)

With a new HC in Shaun Fatah, Sea Devils were expected to undergo something of a charged reboot but, following a disagreement over the future direction of strategy and culture, Fatah’s long-time colleague, OC Lee Rowlands, has had to step up to the top job just days before the season kicks off. Prior to the split, Fatah had brought a lot of talent to Hamburg, including signing quarterback Micah Leon, an American with seven years of Division I experience, who will be paired with Terryon Robinson at WR. Captain John Levi Kruse (TE) and receivers Leon Kusterer and Jean-Claude Madin Cerezo will ensure a potent offense while, defensively, DE Kyle Kitchens will anchor the front, allowing Australian linebacker Harrison Hobson to rectify some of the deficiencies elsewhere. Despite Fatah’s shock exit, his moves suggest a promising turnaround.

Nordic Storm

Out to ‘make a splash’ in their first ELF campaign, the Nordic newcomers started strongly in preseason by signing HC John Shoop and All-Stars Jadrian Clark and Glen Toonga away from the reigning champion Rhein Fire. Homegrown talent has also returned to represent their own nations on a roster that shouldn’t be ignored as the Copenhagen-based Storm look to emulate the 2024 Madrid Bravos and make the postseason at their first attempt. Two clashes a season with the Fire looks set to establish a mean rivalry, but the Storm won’t be underestimating either Hamburg or Berlin in their division — or anyone else for that matter.

Rhein Fire

Unfazed by the loss of big names Clark, Toonga and Shoop, Fire HC Jim Tomsula has added experience to his offensive staff, while former Penn and Samford WR Rory Starkey arrives to add to new QB Chad Jeffries’ strong receiving corps. US defensive backs Omari Williams and Darius Nash will pair with reunited locals Elias Jassey and Dereck Ejike Onyia to ensure the Rhein D remains as formidable as ever, but the chance of a three-peat could hang on the remade offensive backfield.

 

South Division

Helvetic Mercenaries (1-11)

The Swiss franchise has been quick to address offensive vulnerabilities by signing dual-threat quarterback Isaiah Weed, who moves over from Cologne, while former Hildesheim Invaders HC Marcus Herford — already a rising star after leading his newly-promoted GFL side to the playoffs — has gone big on signings with former NFL receiver Keenan Cole and R.J. Sagna, a defensive end from Penn State, expected to augment the team’s scoring potential and pass-rushing capability respectively. In search of further solidity, the Mercenaries have signed US defensive lineman DeMarco Artis, a product of Division I school Baylor, and former Centurion and Seaman Jocques Crawford at safety. The Mercenaries will be a new-look team in 2025 and, while Munich, Tirol and Madrid will be tough divisional opposition, the Swiss squad could cause a surprise or two.

Madrid Bravos (8-4)

Coming off a narrow playoff defeat, the sole remaining Spanish ELF franchise has made a big signing at HC by bringing in Andrew Weidinger, who led Barcelona to the semi-finals in 2022 before moving on to become OC of the Rhein Fire. The equally-significant signing of quarterback Reid Sinnett — whose background straddles the NFL, spring leagues and college ball, adds a blend of experience and raw talent to the offensive unit. Defensive coordinator Jim Collins, recruited for his credentials with Duke and Florida as well as his own NFL experience, will provide playoff capability on his side of the ball. The addition of a physical playmaker in Dy’Vonne Inyang, a US defensive back with solid Division I experience at UTEP, further underscores the Bravos’ commitment to going at least one postseason round better than they achieved as ELF debutants in 2024. The upward trajectory could be evident as early as their expected Week 2 shoot-out with Frankfurt.

Munich Ravens (9-3)

Losing Tomiwa Oyewo to Stuttgart will hurt the Ravens signature ground game, just as seeing QB Chad Jefferies leave for the Fire will hurt their aerial attack. Former North Carolina Tar Heel QB Russell Tabor comes in under center, having had success in Europe while at Spanish league side Osos Rivas in 2024. He has some pretty big boots to fill in replacing Jeffries, however. HC Kendral Ellison has shored up the O-line with Britons Daniel Bilesanmi, who joins from GFL side Berlin Adler, and Chinazo Obodi, who most recently enjoyed time with NCAA D1 school Marshall. The Ravens’ defense was stronger than average last season, and US linebacker Dexter Fitzpatrick and German national Dominik Schmid, hitherto with GFL side Allgäu Comets, will only make them stronger. Expect tight games, but the Ravens may struggle in division as their schedule is loaded and getting a .500 record will be a victory in itself.

Raiders Tirol (8-4)

A consistently tough team, the Raiders have signed various NFL/USFL talents in WR Jacorey Sullivan and DBs Aaron Maddox and Dijon Walls. Head coach Jim Herrmann, once of the New York Giants, has also re-signed the second best RB in the league in Tobias Bonnatti who, with former Leipzig Kings/Barcelona Dragons QB Conor Miller, will only make the Raiders’ offense more potent and balanced. Expect Tirol to scalp both Vienna and Rhein in at least one clash and, as they should put away teams like Cologne and Munich, the playoffs will be a realistic aim.

 

West Division

Cologne Centurions (6-6)

Having signed Florida A&M QB Jeremy Moussa to play alongside NCAA D1 wide receiver Austin Osborn, Cologne’s new owner is clearly hoping that a team still known for its Madre London-run offense can finally start to compete again. However, new head coach Javan Lenhardt will have to pull together a franchise struggling to compete in a difficult region, with both Frankfurt and Rhein on the doorstep. Incoming OC Quinten Pounds is a former Centurions (and University of Washington) wide receiver, and will be able to lean on former HC Kirk Heidelberg for advice and has acquired British RB Umar Ayuba Tairou, who played in GFL2 last year. The defense will be bolstered with the addition of Alex Alteus at linebacker but, having given up an average of almost eight yards per catch and 6.4 on the ground, the unit has a tough challenge if it is to improve.

Frankfurt Galaxy (4-8)

The Galaxy offense fell flat in 2024, leading the storied franchise to go big in hiring title-winning spring league and NFL Europe head coach Bart Andrus, most recently with the Philadelphia Stars of the USFL, but previously at the top of the NFLE tree with both the Amsterdam Admirals and the original Rhein Fire. Andrus brings former Stars players DB Channing Stribling and WR Terry Wright, both of whom have NFL experience. Meanwhile, Tom Mason brings pro experience as new DBs coach. With QB Matthew McKay returning from a serious leg injury, the Galaxy offense should be able to recover its form, but the defensive slide into mediocrity in 2024, while improved by Stribling’s arrival, won’t have been helped by the loss of D-line stalwarts Sven Rieger and Kevin Meier.

Paris Musketeers (10-2)

The shock departures of head coach Marc Mattioli, QB Zach Edwards and RB Jason Aguemon will usher in a new culture in the French capital, and the Musketeers have gone with ex-NFL head coach Jack Del Rio and US-born former Potsdam Royals QB Jaylon Henderson to redress the balance. A slew of players have been re-signed, with Chris Voumbo expected to key one of the league’s strongest run offenses, while Anthony Mahoungou, Austin Mitchell, Hugo Tekedam and Rémi Bertellin headline an efficient receiving corps. The defense, already solid against both run and pass, has received a host of new arrivals, including linebacker Kadel King, CB Jamalcolm Liggins and safety Kevin Fortes, to play alongside the likes of returning standout DB Wadjihe Said.

Stuttgart Surge (11-1)

One of the best teams in the league just got better with return of Reilly Hennessey at QB and addition of ex-Munich Ravens star Tomiwa Oyewo at running back and British Daniel Pedro, another former Potsdam player, out wide. Schwabisch Hall Unicorns TE Aurieus Minton also steps up from the GFL. The Surge were strong across the board, with a mean defense that enjoyed a league-best turnover ratio of 26 and an offense which was only bettered by the Rhein Fire when it came to touchdowns (42) and average yards per pass (8.89). Head coach Jordan Neuman knows how to win, and will be desperate to get Stuttgart over the hump and claim a first ELF title.

 

Summary

Overall, the parity in the league is starting to balance out. Unlike Vienna in 2024, I do not believe any single team will achieve a perfect record this time around. Expect big upsets, the return of a strong Hamburg team, with upstart performances from the likes of the Mercenaries and Enthroners.