REDEMPTION THEME COOKING FOR BERLIN-HAMBURG CLASH

This weekend’s European League of Football slate is headlined by, amongst others, an eagerly-awaited derby between the Hamburg Sea Devils and Berlin Thunder, where more than just points are on the line.

For both teams, this game is a chance for redemption after mixed starts to the 2025 campaign, but there is also a battle for honour, rankings and the all-important North Division standings. Being included in the same table as reigning champions Rhein Fire and fast-out-of-the-blocks newcomers Nordic Storm would be tough for any team, but neither the Sea Devils or Thunder have done themselves any favours with poor performances across the opening three games.

“We made too many individual mistakes against Munich and Copenhagen, which repeatedly set us back,” Thunder head coach Jag Bal admitted, before making his message for the remainder of the season quite clear: “That must not happen again in Hamburg!”

The home side this weekend also have their backs against the wall after last week’s loss to Stuttgart, but a win for either team would reset their record at .500 and keep them in the hunt for possible playoff contention. Both are missing key players due to injury, but that only makes the game more exciting.

Particular attention is being paid to Kyle Kitchens’ comeback. The talented linebacker moved from Berlin to Hamburg last summer and is out to prove he can reach his full potential at Hoheluft Stadium this Saturday. While the American doesn’t appear in the top 10 of the current ELF statistics, he will surely do everything he can to address that in a game with great personal significance..

“Our performance as a team is a growing process and, step-by-step, everything is coming together,” Kitchens claimed in the build-up to his reunion with the Berlin offensive line. “It’s harder than ever to break through the offensive lines. The opponents are constantly coming up with new ways to stop me — but that’s exactly what makes it so exciting for me, to keep coming up with new solutions. The fans are great as always, many friends and acquaintances are here, and I’m simply enjoying playing football.”

For the Sea Devils, this weekend is a chance to make amends in front of their home crowd after a frankly embarrassing 53-14 loss to the Surge in the much-hyped opening game at Bremen’s Weserstadion. Underlining how things did not go to plan, the debut of new import quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa could not have taken place under difficult conditions, leading to the American being benched at half-time with his team in a 40-point hole.

“Of course, we would have hoped for a different start for Taulia,” Sea Devils GM and CEO Mark Weitz conceded. “He only joined the team a few days ago and had to take on responsibility right away. But we know his potential and, with the fans behind us, we want to show a different face against Berlin.”

That Berlin side may not yet have reclaimed one of its own, and Bal declined to provide any specific information on the availability of key players, possible transfers or additional new signings. Nevertheless, the name Aaron Jackson remains in the minds of many, with the former Thunder receiver — who joined the German national league’s Berlin Rebels before the season — reportedly considering a return to the ELF, especially with Berlin losing the services of import receiver Bryce Goggin during the game in Denmark last week. Jackson has repeatedly been linked with a return to the capital’s premier team, and would be a welcome addition for the Thunder.