SEASON ON THE LINE FOR FRANKFURT, MADRID

Craig Llewellyn World Football

The last weekend of the 2025 European League of Football regular season has thrown up a handful of intriguing matchups, but none perhaps more so than in Frankfurt.

Yes, Paris and Rhein both have games against division champions that could determine their playoff fate but, if both slip up, the door is open for the Madrid Bravos to sneak in. Provided the Spanish team also wins and, going into the weekend, the formbook might be better thrown away as they travel to face the comeback team of the ELF season.

At the halfway point of the season, the Frankfurt Galaxy were staring down the barrel of a potential losing season, with a 3-1 start turning into 3-5 with upcoming fixtures against strong opposition. Now, however, on the back of wins over both the previously unbeaten Nordic Storm and feisty Prague Lions, the first-ever ELF champions are right back in the mix for a wildcard spot, their odds having rocketed from 0.3 percent to 42 percent ahead ahead of their final game.

“The team has finally found its feet and is showing the character of a playoff team,” sporting director Thomas Kösling noted. “We believe in ourselves again, and everyone has contributed to that at every stage. Unfortunately, however, we don’t have [our fate] entirely in our own hands, and need to look at other teams [for help].”

As well as needing both the Nordic Storm (visiting Rhein Fire) and Vienna Vikings (hosting Paris Musketeers) to uphold their end of the bargain, the Galaxy will also have to overcome tough opposition, even though they beat the now 7-4 Bravos on the road in Week 2. The Spaniards, as well as both Paris and Rhein, sit one game in front of Frankfurt, and are looking to make the playoffs for the second time in as many seasons since joining the ELF. They too require a little help from outside, and won’t necessarily know their fate until late in the weekend, with the ‘FireStorm’ not kicking off until 16.25 local time.

Madrid arrive in Germany with two offensive difference-makers in their ranks, with both quarterback Reid Sinnett and wide receiver Aron Cruickshank both among the candidates for ELF Player of the Year recognition. On the other side of the ball, however, the Spaniards’ defense has shown some vulnerabilities, not least in the first game between the sides, suggesting another high-scoring encounter that might only be resolved on the final play.

What will be new to Madrid, however, is the face under center for the Galaxy. “Wang nu?” might be the most frequently asked question in the Spanish capital this week, as they prepare to face dual-threat QB Jameson Wang, one of a trio of mid-season signings that have helped turn Frankfurt’s season around.

With advance ticket sales suggest a large and atmospheric crowd, the Galaxy, and sponsor Cosnova, will roll out vivid orange uniforms for the game in reference to the UN’s ‘Orange the World’ campaign which has been raising awareness of violence against women and girls since 1991.