RECORD CROWD PREDICTED FOR VIKINGS-FIRE PT2
The Vienna Vikings are expecting huge turnout for their rematch with reigning European League of Football champions Rhein Fire on Saturday (21st June), as they look to protect an unbeaten start to the season that includes a victory over their rivals in Germany.
With Blue, the Indianapolis Colts mascot, present in Vienna as a special guest of the Vikings, the Austrian team will be looking to inflict further blows to Rhein’s chances of returning to the playoffs, something the German side are being made to work for following back-to-back defeats in Düsseldorf already this season. The Fire will arrive in Vienna with fresh wind in their sails, however, following a comprehensive win against Hamburg last week, and the Vikings know all to well not to take anything for granted.
The Austrian side, meanwhile, comes into the encounter fully rested thanks to their bye week, and optimistic that they can extend their unique record of being the only franchise in ELF history to have gone undefeated in the regular season for over 1,000 days, although head coach Chris Calaycay will ensure there is no resting on laurels.
“We expect an intense matchup against a strong team — but we’re prepared,” he claimed. “With our fans behind us, we want to have a football festival and celebrate the next Vikings victory.”
The backdrop should be a huge party and, with nearly 9,000 tickets having already been sold, a new franchise attendance record could be in store, potentially beating the 11,000 fans that witnessed the Vikings’ semi-final victory over the Paris Musketeers in 2024.
Vienna will be without one of their talismans this weekend, with US defensive back Amani Dennis having had to go to injured reserve. In his place will be Devin Taylor, who came away with 42 tackles, three tackles for loss, a sack, two forced fumbles and a couple of interceptions in 12 appearances for the Raiders Tirol last season.
With momentum from their 43-0 victory over Hamburg, Richard Kent’s Fire team brought a high level of intensity, discipline and communication to the practice field as they prepare to avenge the 7-12 defeat in Düsseldorf. The squad knows that the defeat could have been avoided, and will be looking for an improved offensive performance from a unit that hit high gear behind the running of Jonathan Scott — 135 yards and two touchdowns — against the Sea Devils.