Madrid Bravos

Week 1 is in the book! There were many highlights and some players who presented themselves in excellent shape in the season opener. They are the ELF Stats Leaders Week 1. Passing Leader #1 Jakeb Sullivan (BTH) (413 YDS) #2 Russell Tabor (MUC) (260 YDS) #3 Jadrian Clark (NDS) (258 YDS) Jakeb Sullivan ©Eric Muehle. Passing Touchdown Leader #1 Jakeb Sullivan (BTH) (7 TDs) #2 Jadrian Clark (NDS) (5 TDs) #3 Demarcus Irons Jr. (WPA) (3 TDs) Rushing Leader #1 Tomiwa Oyewo (SRG) (122 YDS) #2 Glen Toonga (NDS) (114 YDS) #3 David Brzozowski (WPA) (113 YDS)  Tomiwa Oyewo ©Svenja Sabatini. Rushing Touchdown Leader #1 Demarcus Irons Jr. (WPA) (2 TDs) #1 Karri Pajarinen (VIK) (2 TDs) #1 Reilly Hennessey (SRG) (2 TDs) Demarcus "DJ" Irons Jr. ©Lukasz Skwiot. Tackling Leader #1 Jan Mayerhofer (RAI) (11 total Tackles) #1 Marius Kensy (RHF) (11 total Tackles) #2 Aleksandar Borkovic (ENT) (10 total Tackles) Sack Leader #1 Max Parkinson (NDS) (3 Sacks, 38 Sack YDS) #2 Lucky Ogbevoen (VIK) (2 Sacks, 15 Sack YDS) #3 H. Ogrodowczyk (WPA) (2 Sacks, 12 Sack YDS)     Interception Leader #1 Devan Burrell (WPA) (1 Int., 82 INT YDS) #2 Luke Glenna (NDS) (1 Int., 70 INT YDS) #3 Emmanuel Delgado (BTH (1 Int., 44 INT YDS) Devan Burrell ©Lukasz Skwiot. Kicking Leader #1 Mathys Dupont (PAR) (3, FG ATT, 3 FG made, 100% accuracy)  #2 Alvaro Peñas (MAD) (2, FG ATT, 2 FG made, 100% accuracy)  #2 Timo Bronn (SRG) (2, FG ATT, 2 FG made, 100% accuracy)  Get all the stats after Week 1 Don't miss a play - watch the ELF live on DAZN

The season has started, the first matchday is over. Some teams have started with a defeat, others with a win. How do the results affect the winning in season opening games? Note: Since not all teams have been part of the European League of Football since 2021, not every team has played the same number of opening games. Therefore, the sorting is based on the percentage of success.  Some fans must be very strong now. Four franchises have not been able to win any of their season-opening games yet. Frankfurt Galaxy (2021: L, 2022: L, 2023: L, 2024: L. 2025 L) Fehérvár Enthroners (2023: L, 2024: L, 2025: L) Prague Lions (2023: L, 2024: L, 2025: L) Helvetic Mercenaries (2023: L, 2024: L, 2025: L) After the clear defeat against Berlin Thunder, the success rate of the Cologne Centurions has changed. Cologne Centurions (2021: L, 2022: W, 2023: L, 2024: L, 2025: L)   Good news for the Munich Ravens. In this year, they were able to win their first season opening game.  Munich Ravens (2023: L, 2024: L, 2025: W) The Berlin Thunder improved their position with a clear 63:14 victory against the Cologne Centurions in Week 1. Berlin Thunder (2021: L, 2022: L, 2023: W, 2024: L, 2025: W) The narrow and tough 12-13 defeat against the Madrid Bravos caused the Hamburg Sea Devils to slip from 75 to 60 percent. Hamburg Sea Devils (2021: W, 2022: W, 2023: L, 2024: W, 2025: L) Not the start to the season the Raiders had hoped for. After the loss to the Munich Ravens, they were only able to win half of their season opening games. Raiders Tirol  (2022: L, 2023: W, 2024: W, 2025: L) We have made it past the halfway mark. For the first time, the Musketeers were unable to win their first game of the season. They were only two points away from a win against champions Rhein Fire. Paris Musketeers (2023: W, 2024: W, 2025: L) We are getting closer to perfection. Nevertheless, there have been defeats. But in this year, Stuttgart Surge won their Opening Game against Frankfurt Galaxy. Stuttgart Surge (2021: W, 2022: L, 2023: W, 2024: W, 2025 W)   Let's move on to the elite. Fans of these five teams were also able to see an opening game victory in this year. Wroclaw Panthers (2021: W, 2022: W, 2023: W, 2024: W, 2025: W) Vienna Vikings (2022: W, 2023: W, 2024: W, 2025: W) Rhein Fire (2022: W, 2023: W, 2024: W, 2025: W) Madrid Bravos (2024: W, 2025: W) Nordic Storm (2025: W) Don't miss a single ELF Game - get your Game Pass!

What a start to the fifth season of the European league of Football is behind us! The first matchday had great matchups and many highlights in store. In addition to touchdown shows, there were exciting matchups that were only decided shortly before the end. Hamburg Sea Devils defense shines against Madrid Bravos One of these was the clash between the Hamburg Sea Devils and Madrid Bravos, which ended 12:13. In the Spanish capital, it was above all the defensive players who shone. Three-time Defensive Player of the Year Kyle Kicthens told “firstdownmag”: "Everybody thought our defense gonna be bad, but we had proved a lot of people. We surprised a lot of people today." The Sea Devils' defense allowed only 13 points against a star-loaded Bravos team. Bravos head coach Andrew Weidinger expressed his frustration on the Spanish  "8 Costuras Podcast": "We expected them to come out and play hard. It shouldn't have been quite as close as it was, but that's our own fault. That's my fault."  Bravos head coach is struggling with missed chances against Sea Devils The missed chances in particular annoyed the experienced coach: "We got to just practice and get better because we had our opportunities. We didn't capitalize on them." Quarterback Reid Sinnet had his star receiver Aron Cruickshank open several times, including for touchdowns, but narrowly missed. Another touchdown was taken away from the duo by a penalty. Both played a good game, but could have crowned their performance and given their head coach a more relaxed evening. Weidinger praises his defense, but sees huge potential for improvement in the offense. The next chance to prove themselves comes in Week 2, again at home in the Estadio Vallehermoso against Frankfurt Galaxy, who are coming off a clear defeat against Stuttgart Surge. ©Henning Rohlfs Two blocked field goals decide Sea Devils at Bravos The Sea Devils' offense also had to struggle with a good opposing defense. However, the end of the game was particularly bitter. Sea Devils Kicker Eric Schlomm had victory on his feed shortly before the end. It would have been the fourth win in the fifth season opening game. But Schlomm showed nerves. His kick hit the left post. The Hamburg Sea Devils lose, celebrations for the Madrid Bravos. Or were they? A yellow flag put the brakes on the Spaniards' euphoria. The field goal had to be retaken due to a false start penalty. Another try for Schlomm, but he also failed to score the second game-winning field goal. Watch the Sea Devils at Bravos highlights here! Sea Devils head coach Rowland looking forward to more Despite the disappointment, Lee Rowland takes positives from his first game as Head Coach of the Hamburg Sea Devils: "I'm very proud of the boys. They showed that they can play football despite last week's setbacks. Of course, there are things we still need to work on, but we showed today who we are and what we stand for. It was a game that was decided by just one point - that's football." Wide receiver Jean-Claude Madin Cerezo, who still wore the Bravos' jersey in the 2024 season, feels the same way: "We acted like a family, you could feel that on the field. The potential in this team is huge. Now it's time to keep working hard and grow as a unit." Raiders let game against Ravens slip away in last quarter The game between Raiders Tirol and Munich Ravens was also decided shortly before the end. In the end, the Ravens recorded a 20:7 victory. The Raiders were still leading 7:6 until the fourth quarter, but two late touchdowns by the Ravens decided the game. Raiders safety Vincent Müller said reflectively after the game: "A lot of mistakes, a lot of lack of concentration. We beat ourselves today. They are a good team, but we shot ourselves in the foot. In the end, you lose 20:7, despite the big plays. You lose and win together."   Now the focus is completely on the game in week 2 against the Helvetic Mercenaries. "Not the start we had in mind. But we have a tough week of training ahead of us so that we can get our first win next week at homecoming," says wide receiver Philipp Haun. Watch the Raiders at Ravens highlights here! Musketeers narrowly failed to beat champions Rhein Fire Meanwhile, the current ELF champions Rhein Fire won by just two points against the Paris Musketeers. The French side could also have secured victory in the final quarter. But the Rhein Fire defense had other plans. First, they averted an almost certain field goal with two sacks and good tackling. Fire's star defender Flamur Simon then robbed them of their last chance to win with a late-game interception.   The Paris Musketeers face Stuttgart Surge in week 2, who showed good form with a clear win against Frankfurt Galaxy. Rhein Fire will have a bye week. Watch the Rhein Fire at Musketeers highlights here!  

Season five of the European League of Football has finally started! The first matchday already delivered exciting games and some highlights. The Hamburg Sea Devils and Madrid Bravos faced off at the Estadio Vallehermoso in Madrid, Spain. Both teams had big plans for the new season. In the end, the Madrid Bravos started with a successful experience in the season. Watch all plays live with the Game Pass on DAZN Hamburg Sea Devils @ Madrid Bravos: 12:13 Although a look at the scoreboard suggests a boring game, it was not. Both teams showed their strengths above all in defense and made life difficult for the opposing offense. Even though the Sea Devils were able to produce some big plays, such as a 60-yard rush by rookie Chrisman Kyei, the visitors struggled to score. Kicker Eric Schlomm had to help out time and again. Running back Kyei scored the only touchdown.  The Bravos' defense held and even forced an interception against quarterback Micah Leon, who did not have an easy debut. The A-Import finished the game with 211 passing yards. Three-time Defensive Player of the Year Kyle Kitchens delivered three tackles, no sacks, but one fumble recovery in his first game as a Sea Devils. Jonathan Ipsen had the only sack of the day for Hamburg.     Penalties made life difficult for Sea Devils and Bravos The Spanish offense made some good plays, but also struggled to score. Former NFL quarterback Reid Sinnet had his star receiver Aron Cruickshank open for a touchdown twice, but overthrew. The third time, Cruickshank failed at the one-yard line. The referees conceded one of the duo's touchdowns due to a penalty. In general, yellow flags were a huge factor in the game. The referees called 24 penalties in total - 15 for the Sea Devils, nine for the Bravos. Juan Flores-Calderon caught the Bravos' only touchdown. ©Henning Rohlfs The game ended on a bitter note for the Hamburg Sea Devils: kicker Eric Schlomm had a late winner on his feet. But first the experienced Special teamer caused a false start penalty and then failed to convert the repeated field goal. So a thrilling game ended with few points, but with a lot of good defense and an opening win for the Madrid Bravos. Watch the Sea Devils at Bravos Highlights

Here are the storylines for Week 1 as we kick off the first gameday of the 2025 ELF season! Fehérvár Enthroners at Wroclaw Panthers New goals for the Panthers   The Panthers go into 2025 after missing the playoffs for two consecutive seasons. This year they are hoping to set the tone for step forward in 2025 against an Enthroners team they have dominated in the past.  Rhein Fire at Paris Musketeers Jack Del Rio’s debut New Musketeers head coach Jack Del Rio will make his debut for the French squad against the back to back defending champions and of course his former NFL opponent Jim Tomsula’s squad. This game features several all star players and the league’s two most notable coaches in what's sure to be an instant classic.  Hamburg Sea Devils at Madrid Bravos Can the Bravos charge forward? Year one in Madrid can only be described as a smashing success, as the Spanish squad made the playoffs in their first year. Now under new head coach Andrew Weidinger and former NFL quarterback Reid Sinnett the Bravos hope to charge into championship contender status. Watch all games on DAZN

Every year in the European League of Football, big changes happen during the off-season. Teams build new rosters, hire new coaches, and prepare for a long, tough season. Now, with only a day until the start of the 2025 ELF season, one thing is clear: the South Division is stacked with talent and full of exciting storylines.  Have the Helvetic Mercenaries managed the rebuild? The Helvetic Mercenaries have shown a lot of potential in their first season under a new name. However, they also showed that the team still has a lot of work to do. That's why those responsible have stepped up their game in the offseason. Isaiah Weed is a talented quarterback who has shown his playmaking qualities, but needs the right environment to bring it to the pitch. That's why they signed Keelan Cole, an NFL veteran and therefore a contender for the best receiver in the league. A statement that the Mercenaries need to turn into some wins.     Are the Bravos a one-season wonder? In 2024, the Madrid Bravos joined the European League of Football and made an immediate impression. They snatched the Spanish crown from the Barcelona Dragons and won their first game in the league and against their rivals comfortably. They finished the season in third place in the Western Conference and went straight into the play-offs with eight wins and four defeats. Here they were beaten by the later champions Rhein Fire.  However, they proved their value. The Madrid Bravos are legit. In their second season in the ELF, they have to prove that it wasn't luck. The Spanish team definitely have the squad for that, thanks to strong signings.     Will Munich have another champion? In their first year, the Munich Ravens narrowly missed out on the playoffs. In the second, they failed in the wildcard round despite some big wins. In contrast to soccer, where both the men's and women's teams of FC Bayern Munich were crowned champions, the city still lacks a major American football champion. The Ravens want to change that. The squad certainly gives hope. Will they get any further than the wildcard this season?     Will the Raiders learn from the previous season and finally secure the playoffs? The Raiders Tirol played a solid to good 2024 season. The hard end came on the last matchday, when the Austrians lost 3:30 to their direct rivals, the Munich Ravens, in what was probably the most important game of the season. As a result, they missed out on the playoffs at the last minute. Something that should change this season.     Don't miss a single ELF Game - get your Game Pass!

The European League of Football is entering its fifth season, and Week 1 already brings us some top-level matchups. After a long off-season, all teams have worked hard to build their rosters. To make it easier for ELF fans, we’ve created an overview of all players and their status for Game Week 1. With just one click on the name of a franchise, you can see their full Week 1 Roster Report and find out which players will be on the field this weekend. Game Week 1 Matchups: May 17, Saturday 18:00 CET – Fehérvár Enthroners at Wroclaw Panthers 18:00 CET – Rhein Fire at Paris Musketeers 20:00 CET – Hamburg Sea Devils at Madrid Bravos May 18, Sunday 13:00 CET – Nordic Storm at Helvetic Mercenaries 13:00 CET – Cologne Centurions at Berlin Thunder 13:00 CET – Raiders Tirol at Munich Ravens 16:25 CET – Vienna Vikings at Prague Lions 16:25 CET – Frankfurt Galaxy at Stuttgart Surge Get ready for an exciting start to the season! Get your tickets for the 2025 season

The Hamburg Sea Devils will kick off the new European League of Football season on May 17th with an away game in the Spanish capital. Their opponents on the first match day are the Madrid Bravos — a very special encounter for two Sea Devils players.  Both Offensive Guard Robin Fensch and Wide Receiver Jean-Claude Madin Cerezo wore the Bravos' jersey last season and are returning to Hamburg for the 2025 season. "We're looking forward to the start of the season in Madrid. It's an exciting challenge to start with an away game - and at the same time an emotional return for two of our guys," says Mark Weitz, General Manager of the Hamburg Sea Devils. "Robin and Jean-Claude are not only a sporting asset, but also strong characters for our team structure." Start of a new era for the Hamburg Sea Devils The game also marks the beginning of a new era for the Sea Devils: The collaboration with previous Head Coach Shuan Fatah was terminated at the beginning of the week. With immediate effect, Lee Rowland, previously the team's Offensive Coordinator, will take over the role of Head Coach.  "The team is ready — despite the recent developments. Players and coaches are fully focused on football and our upcoming opponent, Madrid. We know we're a good football team, and we're ready to show that to our fans and the rest of the league on Saturday," said Lee Rowland, the Sea Devils' new Head Coach.   Sea Devils star: "Hamburg is my football home" For Robin Fensch, the return to Hamburg and the direct duel with his former team is a highlight at the start: "It feels like coming home — and at the same time like an exciting new start. I've taken a lot from my time in Madrid, but Hamburg is my football home." Kickoff for the match is on Saturday, May 17th at 8:00 p.m. at the Estadio de Vallehermoso in Madrid. Don’t miss a single ELF Game – get your Game Pass!

The time has finally come! The fifth season of the European League of Football is about to start. The time has finally come! Players, managers, and fans of Nordic Storm are certainly thinking the same thing. For the young franchise from Copenhagen, Denmark, May 18th, 2025 will be a very special day.  That's when Storm will not only play their first game in the European League of Football, but also their first game in franchise history. The team managers built an entire organization from scratch this offseason. The first success could be celebrated against the Helvetic Mercenaries.  However, a new ELF team was not always immediately successful in its first game in the European League of Football. We take a look at the first ELF games in the history of the current teams.  The Ferhévár Enthroners did not get off to a particularly good start. They opened the season with a clear 3:36 defeat at home against Berlin Thunder in 2023. The Wroclaw Panthers are the champions in season opening games. They haven't lost one yet, and accordingly won the first ELF game in franchise history. At home, the Panthers beat the Cologne Centurions 2021 in a spectacular game with 55:39.  The Prague Lions, on the other hand, suffered a defeat. They played their first ELF game at home in 2023. They lost 15:18 against the Leipzig Kings, who are no longer part of the ELF.  The last team in the East Division, however, was successful again. In 2022, the Vienna Vikings played away against the Raiders Tirol and won 29:23.     Berlin Thunder have been part of the ELF since 2021. They lost their first game at home 27:37 against the Leipzig Kings.  The Hamburg Sea Devils also started 2021, but they did a better job. In Hamburg, the Sea Devils beat Frankfurt Galaxy 17:15.  The current ELF champions Rhein Fire also won. In 2022, they also played their first game against Frankfurt Galaxy. Fire won 29:26 on the road.  The Helvetic Mercenaries lost their first game under their new name in 2024. The Barcelona Dragons won 23:19 in Switzerland. Madrid Bravos also competed in the ELF for the first time in 2024. The team from Spain won the Classico against the Barcelona Dragons by a clear 42:12.      The Munich Ravens, meanwhile, suffered a defeat at the start. They lost 38:59 at home against the Raiders Tirol in 2023. The Austrians were also unable to win their first game in 2022. The Raiders Tirol lost against the Vienna Vikings with 23:29. It was the only season opening game so far that was not won.  The Cologne Centurions have been part of the European League of Football since 2021. They lost their first game against the Wroclaw Panthers by a clear 39:55. Just like Frankfurt Galaxy. Only they didn't lose to the Panthers, but to the Sea Devils, and by a much narrower margin of 15:17. The Paris Musketeers have delighted their fans in two years in the ELF. This was also the case in the first franchise game in 2023, which they won 24:17 against the Cologne Centurions.  Stuttgart Surge were also successful in their first game, but in 2021. They won 21:17 away against Barcelona Dragons on the road. Don't miss a single ELF Game - get your Game Pass!

The ELF season is here and the team rosters are set. With this article, you have the chance to take a look at your team’s roster. Here is the roster of Madrid Bravos: Active Players Offense Quarterback #10 Ivan López (Quarterback) #7 Reid Sinnett (Quarterback) Running Back #43 Eduard Molina (Running Back) #28 Gonzalo Haro (Running Back) #21 Nico Barrow (Running Back) #8 Justus Seelig (Running Back) Tight End #14 Raul Cernuda (Tight End) #44 Emilio Ibáñez (Tight End) #42 Ignacio Diz (Tight End) Wide Receiver #80 Jordi Torrededia (Wide Receiver) #81 Juan Flores-Calderon (Wide Receiver) #16 Alejandro Garcia (Wide Receiver) #18 Eduardo Perez (Wide Receiver) #88 Ivan Iordanov (Wide Receiver) #17 Jorge Garcia-Valcarcel (Wide Receiver) #2 Aron Cruickshank (Wide Receiver) #83 Jorge Melero (Wide Receiver) Offensive Tackle #61 Eduardo Sánchez (Offensive Tackle) #76 Gabriel Rodriguez (Offensive Tackle) #58 Miguel Kabankaya (Offensive Tackle) #78 Yasir Raji (Offensive Tackle) #77 Carlos Carrasco (Offensive Tackle) #70 Carlos España (Offensive Tackle) #75 Brendan Oswin (Offensive Tackle) Offensive Guard #71 David Culebras (Offensive Guard) Center #64 Elvys Nuñez (Center) #60 Celestin Ngimbi (Center) Defense Defensive Tackle #65 Artur Pinheiro (Defensive Tackle) #99 Daniel López (Defensive Tackle) #9 Sebastián Bowen (Defensive Tackle) #93 Iván Fernandez (Defensive Tackle) Defensive End #1 Alejandro Fernandez (Defensive End) #95 Pierre-Yves Majo (Defensive End) #0 Yago Rivero (Defensive End) #96 Rodrigo Sanz (Defensive End) #97 Mark Gutierrez (Defensive End) Outside Linebacker #5 Cesar Brugnani (Outside Linebacker) #35 Victor Albarracín (Outside Linebacker) #13 Julio Aguado (Outside Linebacker) #55 Javier Carrasco (Outside Linebacker) #59 Jonatan Prieto (Outside Linebacker) #45 David Romero (Outside Linebacker) Inside Linebacker #33 Alexandre Gonzalez (Inside Linebacker) #53 Jorge Hernandez (Linebacker) Cornerback #27 Andy Vera (Cornerback) #6 Lucas Masero (Cornerback) #29 Guillermo Fernandez (Cornerback) #23 Michael Witherspoon (Cornerback) Free Safety #20 Pablo de (Free Safety) #4 Dy'vonne Inyang (Free Safety) Strong Safety #3 Pablo Araya (Strong Safety) Special Teams Kicker #22 Alvaro Peñas (Kicker) Punter #24 Antonio Sarría (Punter) Inactive Players Offense Quarterback #12 Diego Lliteras (Quarterback) Wide Receiver #88 Jorge García (Wide Receiver) #85 Álvaro Molano (Wide Receiver) #15 Jesus Garcia-Valcarcel (Wide Receiver) Center #50 Hugo García (Center) Defense Defensive End #92 Mamadou Ka (Defensive End) #92 Nicolás Ronchel (Defensive End) Defensive Tackle #98 Víctor Dos (Defensive Tackle) Cornerback #32 Álvaro Cansinos (Cornerback) #47 Carlos Rodríguez (Cornerback) Injured or PUP Players Offense Wide Receiver #11 Sixten Dragan (Wide Receiver) Practice Squad If you want to take a closer look at each player, check out the player profiles on our website. Take a closer look at the roster of the Madrid Bravos  

As any fan of the European League of Football knows a team is only as good as its homegrowns. This year experts are noticing even more european talent across the league as many young talents hope to make a mark on the ELF this season. Lets take a look at 5 new European players looking to break out this season. WR Daniel Pedro - Stuttgart Surge Pedro was a key player for the Potsdam Royals in the 2024 season, helping them win the GFL championship. He impressed with 915 receiving yards and 14 touchdowns in 15 games, proving himself as a reliable and explosive playmaker.   DE RJ Sagna - Helvetic Mercenaries Sagna is a physical freak measuring in at 1.97 108kg. The long armed and quick defensive end is committed to Penn State (NCAA DI). Before he goes off to compete in the highest level of college football Sagna hopes to improve his game in the ELF this season. RB Nico Barrow - Madrid Bravos The Finnish running back makes his highly anticipated ELF debut after years of putting up numbers in Finland and Germany’s domestic leagues. Barrow is a smooth but powerful runner who displays soft hands out of the backfield. Expect him to break out in Andrew Weidingers offense. RB Tim Tonko - Raiders Tirol The young running back has been a star on the Austrian national team before and even won the Austrian Football League’s “Young Star of the Year” award last season. Now he hopes to make the jump to the ELF and become a playmaker for his hometown Raiders Tirol.  LB Arthur Kingdom - Prague Lions The British national team linebacker spent last season playing for the Potsdam Royals of the German Football League. Kingdom hopes to show off his talent on the bigger stage now as he helps bring in a new era of Prague Lions football in 2025.  Get Your Ticket to the 2025 ELF Championship Game

As season five of the ELF rapidly approaches let’s take a look at a shortlist of new players entering the league that have the potential to become future stars of the upcoming season: WR Keelan Cole - Helvetic Mercenaries Cole’s resume speaks for itself, putting up 2,832 yards and 14 touchdowns in 93 NFL games over the course of a long and fruitful NFL career. Cole will no doubt be the face of the franchise for the Helvetic Mercenaries as he hopes to take the Swiss squad to new heights. QB Reid Sinnett - Madrid Bravos Sinnet is a veteran professional quarterback having spent 4 seasons in the NFL with several teams. He also was a starter in the XFL and USFL. Now he brings all his pro experience to the up and coming Madrid Bravos team led by new head coach Andrew Weidinger.  QB Jaylon Henderson - Paris Musketeers Henderson has been on ELF teams watchlists for several years now as the former Boise State Bronco has been tearing it up in the German Football League the past two seasons. After winning back to back titles and putting up video game like numbers in the GFL.  The Musketeers were finally able to convince Henderson to Join the ELF. He now takes over for ELF veteran Zach Edwards on a Musketeers team that made the semi-finals and is now led by former NFL head coach Jack Del Rio.    WR Jeff Cotton - Stuttgart Surge Cotton comes to Europe for the first time in his career this season. The former Idaho Vandals star spent time with the Green Bay Packers, Jacksonville Jaguars, and Arizona Cardinals bouncing around different NFL teams for three seasons. Now he teams up with the veteran QB Reilly Hennessey as the Surge hope to make a push at the championship game.    WR Brendan Beaulieu - Nordic Storm The Nordic Storm are already stacked with talent as they have MVP QB Jadrian Clark and MVP running back Glen Toonga on thier offense. One new face to the league that might suprise fans on the Storm in American Brendan Beaulieu. What he lacks in NFL experience Beaulieu makes up for in production in Europe as he put up a eye popping 1,647 receiving yards and 27 touchdowns in just 15 games in the German Football League last season. Get Your Ticket to the 2025 ELF Championship game!

The season kicks off in only 16 days, as teams are excited to hit the game field for the first time since last year. Let's take a look at some of the top moves teams made last month to prepare for week one.   Rhein Fire get WR with NFL experience Rhein Fire has completed its American player roster with the signing of wide receiver Rory Starkey. He joins quarterback Chad Jeffries and defensive backs Omari Williams and Darius Nash as the fourth American on the team. Starkey will add even more talent to an already strong wide receiver group.   After his time in college, he had opportunities with the Green Bay Packers and the Houston Roughnecks of the UFL.  Madrid Bravos add DROY The Madrid Bravos have made a strong addition to their defensive line by signing Pierre-Yves Majo. The 24-year-old defensive lineman played his first season in the European League of Football in 2024 and immediately made an impact.   Majo played 12 games for the Helvetic Mercenaries last season, recording 39 tackles, 7 sacks, and 16 tackles for loss. His outstanding performance earned him the title of Defensive Rookie of the Year.   Paris Musketeers sign All-American DT The Paris Musketeers have signed defensive tackle Lamonte McDougle. The American joins former NFL head coach Jack Del Rio in the French capital as the first American import on defense for the French squad.  McDougle played for West Virginia, UTEP, and Washington State during his college career, building a reputation as a disruptive nose tackle.  Enthroners make an import switch The European League of Football season hasn’t started yet, but the Fehérvár Enthroners have already made changes to their roster. They have signed American defensive lineman Michael Badejo, who will replace Emmit Gooden. Badejo brings with him D1 experience from SMU and was a standout last season in the German Football League.  Surge bring back star safety In a move that will excite Stuttgart Surge fans across the league, defensive back Raheem Simiram-Wilson is returning for the 2025 season. After a breakout campaign in 2024, the 31-year-old veteran has re-signed with the team and is set to remain a central piece in head coach Jordan Neuman’s defensive puzzle. The former CFL starter had 6 interceptions last season in only ten games, making an enormous impact on the Stuttgart Surge defense.  Munich Ravens load up on defense The Munich Ravens will bring back defenders Wael Nasri, Etuale Lui, and Christoph Nitzlnander. As the Bavarian squad hopes to make another playoff run this year.  One new face for the Ravens will be safety Cole Coleman. Cole knows the ELF, playing for the Vienna Vikings last season. Prior to coming to Europe the former Elon DB spent time in the NFL and CFL.  Get Your Tickets to the 2025 ELF Championship Game!  

Former NFL quarterback Reid Sinnett joined the ELF Live Show and gave fans a closer look at his new team — the Madrid Bravos. Alongside show host Nick Alfieri and ELF expert Matt Bressington, Sinnett shared his first impressions of playing in Spain and his excitement for the 2025 season. A strong first impression Sinnett didn’t hold back on his praise for his teammates: “I don’t know if we are the biggest team, or the fastest, or even the most talented. I have no idea about that. But I am confident in our ability to gameplan and put our team in the right position. I’m confident in my ability to execute and be consistent — and these Spanish guys believe. That stood out to me from day one.” The American QB, who brings NFL experience to the Bravos, also added: “This is a brotherhood I could not compare to anything in the US.” Focused on offense During the show, the team also discussed the distribution of import players on the Bravos’ roster. While the offense includes Sinnett, Aron Cruickshank, and five other imports, the defense currently has only three. Sinnett’s response was calm and confident:  “The point of the game is to score more points than the other team.” His mindset reflects the Bravos’ clear goal: after losing in the Wild Card round last season, they’re ready to make a deeper playoff run in 2025. Don’t miss the ELF Live Show! If you enjoy exciting interviews and behind-the-scenes conversations from the European League of Football, tune in every Friday at 12:00 CET for the ELF Live Show. Chat live with hosts and guests across YouTube, Twitch, Instagram, Facebook, or TikTok — wherever you like to watch! Get your tickets for the 2025 Championship Game in Stuttgart!

One of the headlines of the ELF off-season was the Paris Musketeers signing Jack Del Rio as their next head coach. The story made waves across the football world as the ELF and the Musketeers were able to convince the former superbowl winning coach to come to France. “Yeah, Jack Del Rio is obviously a household name in the NFL. He's been a coordinator, been a head coach in the NFL. To me, it speaks volumes about the quality of the league and it's a testament to what the franchises have done in order to convince somebody of his magnitude to come over and be the head coach.” -Commissioner Patrick Esume   Jack Del Rio & Jim Tomsula ELF fans know Del Rio isn’t the only former NFL head coach in the league as Jim Tomsula has led the Rhein Fire to back to back titles in his three years in Düsseldorf. Now the former San Francisco 49ers coach leads the Fire into 2025 without MVP quarterback and running back Jadrian Clark and Glen Toonga, giving the Fire and Tomsula new challenge: “It’s consistency again that keeps you still up there. And the consistency is Jim Tomula and his coaching staff, right? Richard Kent, tremendous coach. So, I think that these two gentlemen, they're going to put a very good football team on the field that's well coached. They might not be as strong as the two years before, but they're going to be up there again.” Along with Del Rio and Tomsula, the ELF has several coaches with NFL experience including new head coach of the Frankfurt Galaxy Bart Andrus, who spent 5 seasons as an assistant coach in the NFL, as well as coaching in the CFL and USFL.  Other coaches in the ELF this season with NFL experience include: Berlin Thunder: OL coach Art Valero Nordic Storm: Head coach John Schoop & defensive coordinator Brandon Noble  Prague Lions:  DB coach Darqueze Dennard  Madrid Bravos: Head coach Andrew Weidinger, defensive coordinator Jim Collins Fehervar Enthroners: Head coach Mark Ridgley Raiders Tirol: Head coach Jim Herrmann, offensive coordinator Charlie Eger, and RBs coach Terry Malone  Hamburg Sea Devils: Defensive coordinator Ray Woodard Helvetic Mercenaries: DL coach Nordly ‘Cap’ Capi  Vienna Vikings: Analyst Norm Chow and kicking coach Giorgio Tavecchio

The Madrid Bravos have launched a new educational and sports initiative: the “Bravos School Tour by Lemon Tree Education.” The goal of this program is to bring American football closer to young people and promote the sport in schools across the Community of Madrid. The project is sponsored by Lemon Tree Education and introduces students to the basics of Flag Football — a non-contact version of American football that will be included in the Olympic Games in Los Angeles 2028. Throughout April and May, Bravos players and coaches will visit schools to run training clinics for students aged 10 to 15. Learning from the pros The first stop of the tour was Brains International School in Alcobendas, where students had the unique chance to learn from former NFL players Reid Sinnett and Aron Cruickshank, who are now part of the Madrid Bravos roster. “We’ve always said we’re here to help grow this sport in Spain,” said Jaime Martín, General Manager of Madrid Bravos. “American football is growing fast in our country, and we see it every game at Vallehermoso or with the arrival of the NFL at the Bernabéu.” Martín also emphasized the long-term goal: “Teaching the basics to young students is a great way to increase the number of licensed players in Madrid, especially working together with the Madrid Federation of American Football.” Next stop: Colegio Brewster The tour will continue with visits to five more schools. The next one is Colegio Brewster, located near Estadio Vallehermoso, the home field of the Madrid Bravos. This initiative is part of the team’s commitment to sports development, inclusion, and education through values and teamwork. Get your tickets for the 2025 Championship Game in Stuttgart!

In April, we are revealing the Top 100 graded players of the 2024 European League of Football season, based on SportsMetrics' advanced evaluation system. These rankings are based only on on-field performance — including consistency, impact, and position-specific stats. Today, we take a look at the players ranked from #20 to #11. #20 Daniel Bartmann  Although it was a tough season for the Frankfurt Galaxy, defensive lineman Daniel Bartmann still had a great individual year. The German defender stood out with 42 tackles, 5 sacks, 11.5 tackles for loss, and 1 forced fumble, which he also recovered. Leander Wiegand delivered strong performances at the IPP Program. ©IMAGO / ZUMA Press Wire #19 Leander Wiegand  Leander Wiegand is one of the best offensive linemen in Europe. His great performances earned him an invitation to the NFL’s International Player Pathway Program. At the Pro Day, he showed his strength and even outperformed many college stars in the 100kg bench press test. #18 Austin Mitchell  Austin Mitchell had a nearly perfect first season in the ELF. Together with quarterback Zach Edwards, he formed a dangerous duo. One highlight was his game in Week 2 against the Hamburg Sea Devils, where he had 152 receiving yards and scored 4 touchdowns. #17 D’Wayne Obi  British running back D’Wayne Obi impressed in his first ELF season. He helped the Bravos reach the playoffs and finished as the fourth-best running back in rushing yards, with 10 rushing touchdowns. #16 Jonathan Falk In his final ELF season, Jonathan Falk showed once again how good he is. He was named Homegrown of the Year and made the First Team All-Star list. Despite a tough season for the Mercenaries, Falk finished strong and earned the #16 spot. #15 Markell Castle  The 2023 Offensive Player of the Year continued his strong form in 2024. Castle was second in receiving yards and tied for third in catches. Whether in trick plays, big gains, or short screens, Castle was always a key playmaker. Aleksandar Milanovic is no longer part of the Vienna Vikings. ©Hannes Jirgal #14 Aleksandar Milanovic    One of the best European offensive tackles, Aleksandar Milanovic, ended his career after the 2024 season. He helped lead the Vikings to the Championship Game and was awarded "Man of Honor of the Year" for his leadership on and off the field.  #13 Reece Horn  Reece Horn joined the Vikings during the season but quickly became one of the top receivers in the league. He finished third in receiving yards and catches. The Vikings worked hard to keep him for 2025, and with QB Ben Holmes, he’s expected to score many touchdowns. #12 Johannes Zirngibl  Johannes Zirngibl had a strong season with the Munich Ravens. He helped lead a tough defense that created the sixth-most turnovers in the league. His performance was a big reason for the team’s defensive success. #11 Zach Edwards  Although Zach Edwards has decided to take a break from football, his 2024 performance was outstanding. He was named Offensive Player of the Year with the second-most passing yards, third-most passing touchdowns, and was also one of the top rushers in the league. Edwards truly delivered in every way. Stay tuned as we continue to count down the Top 100 players of the 2024 ELF season — with more stars, stats, and stories to come!Don't miss a single game - Get your Game Pass now!

The Madrid Bravos have signed American defensive back Michael Witherspoon as their final import player for the 2025 season. Witherspoon brings a strong football background from college in the U.S. He played at East Carolina University (ECU), where he appeared in all 12 games in 2018, starting two of them. That season, he made 35 tackles, five pass breakups, and recovered two fumbles. Known for his speed and physical style, Witherspoon showed great skills in pass coverage and tackling. Experience across all levels Before ECU, he played two impressive seasons at Hutchinson Community College. There, he collected 74 tackles, 3 sacks, 18 pass breakups, and even blocked a kick. He helped his team to a strong season and gained attention for his consistent performances. His football journey started early — Witherspoon was a three-year starter in high school and was named county defensive player of the year as a senior. Witherspoon’s physical approach and leadership will strengthen the Bravos secondary and give their defense a big boost going into the new ELF season.Don't miss a single game - Get your Game Pass now!

In April, we are revealing the Top 100 graded players of the 2024 European League of Football season, based on SportsMetrics' advanced evaluation system. These rankings focus only on performance on the field — including consistency, impact, and position-specific stats. Today, we look at players ranked from #40 to #31. #40 Noah Touré In his first ELF season, Noah Touré made a strong impression. The young Austrian was named Offensive Rookie of the Year and became an important target for quarterback Ben Holmes. Touré is expected to play a key role again in 2025. #39 Tony Anderson After playing for the Raiders Tirol (2022) and Frankfurt Galaxy (2023), Tony Anderson had a great season with Rhein Fire. His turnovers and big tackles helped the team defend their ELF Championship title. #38 Yasir Raji Yasir Raji was another strong player for Rhein Fire last season. Now, he joins the Madrid Bravos with their new head coach Andrew Weidinger. As a powerful offensive lineman, Raji will be a key piece in both the pass and run game. #37 Sasan Jelvani Sasan Jelvani played an important role in Stuttgart Surge’s success in recent years. He was named to the ELF 2nd Team All-Star list in 2023 and continued to show strong leadership and performance on defense in 2024. #36 Samuel Higgs Samuel Higgs is the only punter in the ELF Top 100. With the Barcelona Dragons' offense struggling at times, Higgs had many chances to show off his powerful leg and consistent punting skills. Justin Rodney will also be hunting for touchdowns for the Munich Ravens in 2025. ©Lina Bollig #35 Justin Rodney  Justin Rodney had a breakout year. The German running back impressed with explosive runs and showed why he’s considered one of the best in the country. His great form made it clear why the Munich Ravens wanted him back. #34 James Brooks Even at 36 years old, James Brooks was one of the top pass rushers in the ELF. After another strong season, he now moves into coaching and will serve as Defensive Coordinator for the Prague Lions in 2025. #33 Pierre-Yves Majo   Pierre-Yves Majo had a fantastic first ELF season, earning the Defensive Rookie of the Year award. After playing with the Helvetic Mercenaries, he now joins the Madrid Bravos for the 2025 season. #32 Carlos Hill Despite playing only nine games for the Cologne Centurions, Carlos Hill put up great numbers — 919 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns. His explosive plays made him one of the top wide receivers of the season. Pablo Araya will once again be an important player for Madrid in 2025. ©Foot Bowl/Just Shots #31 Pablo Araya  Spanish safety Pablo Araya had a strong debut season in the ELF. He quickly became one of the league’s best defensive backs and was even a finalist for the Defensive Rookie of the Year award. Stay tuned as we continue to count down the Top 100 players of the 2024 ELF season — with more stars, stats, and stories to come! Get your tickets for the 2025 Championship Game now!

The European League of Football will soon be entering the new season. Will Rhein Fire make the three-peat? Who are the new stars of the teams? Questions upon questions. The teams have to answer many of them on the pitch, while we answer others in our “ELF Wire” format. Preparations for fith season of league history are in full swing. The teams have been practicing for a few days now and the final deals are being finalized. Over the past weeks and months, the front offices have worked hard to present the best possible roster for the upcoming season.    These are now almost completely finalized. Most of the spots are taken. Only a few announcements are still missing, so stay tuned and follow our channels and those of the teams closely.  The Opening Weekend will then begin on May 17th with the games Wroclaw Panthers vs. Ferhervar Enthroners, Paris Musketeers vs. Rhein Fire and Madrid Bravos vs. Hamburg Sea Devils. You can find a complete overview of all games here. Be ready. Don't miss a single ELF Game - get your Game Pass!

In April, we are revealing the Top 100 graded players of the 2024 European League of Football season, based on the advanced evaluation system by SportsMetrics. These rankings are all about performance on the field — taking into account consistency, impact, and position-specific stats. Today, we present the players ranked from #50 to #41. Wael Nasri will also be going after tackles for the Ravens in the upcoming season. ©Roland Johannes #50 Wael Nasri Wael Nasri is a true veteran of the ELF. He has played in the league since the first season and is known as one of the best tacklers in Europe. In 2024, he helped the Munich Ravens reach the playoffs with strong and consistent performances. #49 Mitchell Fettig Together with Simiram-Wilson, Mitchell Fettig formed one of the most dangerous defensive back duos in the league. Fettig impressed early in the season and finished with 5 interceptions, the second-best in the ELF for 2024. #48 William Patterson Wherever Willie Patterson goes, success follows. After winning a championship with Rhein Fire in 2023, he joined the Madrid Bravos and played another strong season. He is extremely versatile — lining up as a wide receiver, running back, and even quarterback. #47 Yannick Mayr Austrian receiver Yannick Mayr is known for his speed and explosiveness. He created many big plays and was a constant deep threat. That’s why the Vienna Vikings worked hard to bring him back as a key homegrown talent. #46 Lukas Holub Lukas Holub is one of the best offensive linemen in Europe. He was a key part of the protection for quarterback Ben Holmes. With great blocking in both passing and running plays, Holub earned his place in the ELF Top 100. #45 Nathaniel Robitaille Robitaille has been part of the ELF since 2022 and has always been a top performer. In 2024, he had a great season with the Fehérvár Enthroners, finishing with 953 receiving yards and 9 touchdowns. Despite this, the team decided to go in a different direction and signed Rashad Still for the new season. #44 Lukas Haslwanter Even while sharing the workload with Tobias Bonatti, Haslwanter had a breakout year. The Austrian running back ran for 709 yards on 152 carries, showing excellent vision and power. He played a big role in the Raiders’ offense. #43 Florian Sudi Sudi was part of one of the most dominant defensive lines in the league. He made life very difficult for offensive linemen with his pass rush and run-stopping skills. Every time he was on the field, opposing offenses had problems. Lenny Krieg is now in the NFL and a kicker for the Atlanta Falcons. ©Svenja Sabatini #42 Lenny Krieg Lenny Krieg had an incredible season as kicker for the Stuttgart Surge. He was selected to the ELF First All-Star Team and even earned an invitation to the NFL’s International Player Pathway Program. The Atlanta Falcons were impressed and signed him to a three-year contract. #41 Bijon Harris Bijon Harris joined the Cologne Centurions mid-season and quickly became one of the top defensive backs in the league. He made multiple turnovers and even scored on returns. As a return specialist, he also made big plays — easily earning his place in the ELF Top 100. More names coming soon as we move closer to the top! Don't miss a single game - Get your Game Pass now!

In April, we are revealing the Top 100 graded players of the 2024 European League of Football season, based on the advanced evaluation system by SportsMetrics. These rankings reflect pure on-field performance, with position-specific stats, consistency, and impact across the season. Today, we take a look at players ranked #80 to #71. #80 Hugo Dyrendahl What a rookie year for the 26-year-old. The linebacker was able to establish himself right away with Frankfurt Galaxy, starting all twelve games and recording 135 tackles. He even made it to the All-Star team. Despite his big role, Dyrendahl had to answer the call of home. The Swedish native will play for Nordic Storm next season. #79 Juan Flores-Calderon In a rather disappointing Milano Seamen team, Flores-Calderon was a real bright spot. The 21-year-old wide receiver collected 732 receiving yards and eight touchdowns. The 2023 Offensive Rookie of the Year will also be seen in the ELF next season. But then with the Madrid Bravos. ©Sergio Bisi. #78 Ken Hike Jr. The free safety joined the Vienna Vikings late after spending some time in Switzerland, but still had a direct impact. Especially in terms of turnovers. In five games, he made two interceptions, forced a fumble and recovered three more. He also had eleven pass deflections. Next season, Hike Jr. will prove this talent with the Prague Lions. ©Alexandre Bertrand. #77 Krzystof Wis The middle linebacker is one of the cornerstones of the Wroclaw Panthers' defense. Together with superstar A.J. Wentland, Wis makes life difficult for opposing running backs. The 37-year-old veteran recorded 78 tackles, including ten for loss and 6.5 sacks last season.  #76 Jakub Smutný Defensive tackle Jakub Smutný also likes to bring running backs to the ground. The 28-year-old Czech had his breakthrough last season and more than doubled his number of tackles. The Prague Lions rewarded this with a contract extension. ©Jakub Platenik #75 Nicolas Khandar After a rookie season with only four games as a backup, the running back celebrated his breakthrough last season. The 31-year-old recorded 686 rushing yards and four touchdowns. After two years with Stuttgart Surge, the Frenchman returns to his home country and joins the Paris Musketeers. 74 Flamur Simon What a year for Flamur Simon. The linebacker established himself at Rhein Fire, became a starter, put in outstanding performances and played a big part in Rhein Fire celebrating their second ELF Championship title in a row. So it's no wonder that the German extended his contract this offseason. ©Lina Bollig #73 Raul Cernuda Pastor Raul Cernuda Pastor showed potential with the Barcelona Dragons in 2023 and performed well with the Madrid Bravos in 2024. The homegrown tight end established himself as a starter and contributed five touchdowns. The 28-years-old even made it to our Homegrown Team of the Year. 72 Luke Glenna The US import was an important cornerstone of a strong Madrid Bravos defense. As a result, the safety was selected to the All-Star team — just like the year before for the Barcelona Dragons. Now the 25-year-old is ready for a new adventure and joins Nordic Storm. ©Maxime Le Pihif #71 Nicolai Schumann The Berlin Thunder homegrown is one of the best tight ends in the league. The 33-year-old veteran has already been voted onto the ELF All-Star Team twice. Don't miss a single ELF Game — get your Game Pass!

The 2025 ELF season is approaching quickly as we have just 5 weeks to go until kickoff. With the excitement of the new season there has been a ton of buzz around the new wave of talent coming into the league bringing with it more NFL experience. HC Jack Del Rio - Paris Musketeers The longtime NFL head coach was easily the biggest splash signing of the off-season. Del Rio was a NFL head coach for 12 seasons winning 93 games and making four playoff appearances. The NFL player turned head coach is best known for spending 9 seasons as the head coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars from 2003 - 2011.    QB Reid Sinnett - Madrid Bravos It is very rare in Europe to have a quarterback who spent a significant amount of time in the NFL. Sinnett spent time with 4 different NFL franchises.  Sinnet shuffled between on the active roster during the regular season and the practice squad for the Cincinnati Bengals, Miami Dolphins, and Philadelphia Eagles. He also was a starter in the XFL and UFL before signing with the Bravos this off-season.  WR Keelan Cole - Helvetic Mercenaries While many ELF players come to the league with experience from NFL minicamp or pre-season, Cole brings a new level to the league. The speedy pass catcher played 7 seasons with the Jacksonville Jaguars, Las Vegas Raiders, and New York Jets, amassing over 3K total yards and 15 touchdowns.  Keelan Cole's playmaking ability and impressive NFL career raised eyebrows around the league as he announced he would be joining the Mercenaries.    DB Channing Stribling - Frankfurt Galaxy Stribling is reunited with head coach Bart Andrus in Frankfurt, the two worked together in the USFL previously as Stribiling was an All-Star for the league’s Philadelphia Stars. Stribling, a former Michigan defensive back,  has a long career bouncing between the NFL, CFL, and other pro spring leagues such as the AAF, USFL, and UFL.  Overall he spent time with 6 NFL teams since 2017 playing in the pre-season and practice squad.  WR Aron Cruickshank -  Madrid Bravos Cruickshank impressed scouts with a solid career at Rutgers and Wisconsin playing both receiver and kick returner. Following the 2024 NFL Draft he was signed by the Chicago Bears. Cruickshank was however released, and then played one preseason game in late august for the Pittsburgh Steelers before being waived.  WR Rory Starkey Jr. - Rhein Fire Starkey is a big body receiver who put up impressive numbers at his Pro Day, including a 4.45 40-yard dash, a 36-inch vertical jump, and a 10 '3 broad jump. He signed with the Green Bay Packers spending the off-season there, before moving on to the UFL in 2024.   WR Terry Wright - Frankfurt Galaxy Wright played for Galaxy head coach in the USFL in 2022, prior to that he spent time on the practice squad with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Miami Dolphins, and Seattle Seahawks. The former Purdue receiver also played in the CFL and UFL most recently.  DB Aaron Maddox - Raiders Tirol Maddox played for the University of Colorado and Campbell University before spending some time with the Indianapolis Colts. Get Your Ticket to the 2025 ELF Championship game!  

In April, we will reveal the Top 100 graded players of the 2024 European League of Football season, according to SportsMetrics. These grades are based on on-field performance, using a detailed system that compares stats across positions and games. Today, we begin with players ranked #90 to #81. Berend Grube is one of the best linemen in the league. ©Jonas Wicker #90: Berend Grube Berend Grube is an ELF veteran who has played in the league since season one. After three strong years with the Hamburg Sea Devils, he joined the Raiders Tirol for 2024 and showed his skills once again. His consistent performance earned him a spot in the Top 100 — and now, he’ll play for the Stuttgart Surge. #89: Patrick Poetsch Patrick Poetsch has also been in the ELF since the beginning. He played for the Cologne Centurions and Rhein Fire, where he helped win two Championships. He may not have flashy stats, but his pass- and run-blocking skills make him one of the most reliable fullbacks in the league. #88: Adam Zouzelka Zouzelka was one of the bright spots for the Prague Lions in a tough season. In his second ELF year, he proved to be a consistent and hard-working player. With a stronger roster around him in 2025, he could help push the Lions to new heights. Always ready for his quarterback: Marvin Rutsch. ©Roland Johannes #87: Marvin Rutsch Rutsch is the ELF all-time receptions leader and a key target for any quarterback. In 2024, he had 55 catches for 645 yards and 7 touchdowns. His reliable hands and sharp route-running once again made him one of the top receivers in the league. #86: Alessandro Vergani Vergani was a standout offensive lineman in 2024, showing strong pass- and run-blocking skills. He made the 2nd All-Star Team and will return to Stuttgart in 2025, much to the joy of quarterback Reilly Hennessey. Lennart Weitz is one of the most talented linebackers in the league. ©Marc Junge #85: Lennart Weitz Weitz was part of Rhein Fire’s championship-winning team and showed why he’s a top linebacker. His defensive impact was big — and the team made sure to keep him with a contract extension for the upcoming season. #84: Anthony Brown Brown made a big impact with exciting plays alongside QB Carlton Aiken Jr. Injuries slowed down both players, but Brown still performed well enough to earn his place among the league's top 100.Madrid Bravos quarterback from last season: Steven Duncan. ©Just Shots #83: Steven Duncan Duncan had a tough season. He started with the Wrocław Panthers but was released early. Later, the Madrid Bravos signed him to replace injured QB Chris Helbig. In Madrid, he proved his talent and earned his spot in the Top 100. #82: Marvin Wappl  Wappl played for one of the most dominant defensive lines in the league with the Vienna Vikings. His strong performance helped stop many offensive plays, and he rightfully belongs in the Top 100. #81: Daniel Schumacher  Schumacher had a mixed year—not because of his own performance, but because of his team’s inconsistency. The Cologne Centurions ended the season 6-6, but Schumacher still punted 55 times for 1,729 yards, showing his strong and consistent leg. Stay tuned as we continue counting down the Top 100 ELF Players of 2024 — coming tomorrow: spots 80 to 71! Get your tickets for the Championship Game in Stuttgart!

In the coming month of April, we will be releasing the top 100 graded players of the 2024 season according to sportsmetrics. The grades reflect the individual's performance on the field. Grading System for Players and Teams SportsMetrics Grades evaluate both individual players and teams based on their performance in a single game as well as the entire season. The grades are designed to provide an accurate and comprehensive assessment of a player’s performance in different categories such as passing, rushing, receiving, defense, and kicking. Each category is further divided into player positions, such that each player’s performance is evaluated against other players in the same position. The grades are designed to be scalable for different player positions, meaning that a linebacker’s performance is compared to other linebackers in each category. Weighted Metrics Each category in the SportsMetrics grading system sets different weights on statistical in-game metrics. These metrics are then weighted based on their importance to the category to provide an accurate evaluation of a player’s performance. This ensures that the grading system is fair and objective, and the players’ performance is evaluated based on the metrics that matter the most in each category. Comparison and Scaling To compare and scale the teams’ and players’ performance, SportsMetrics Grades use a specially fitted sigmoid function. This function ensures that the grades are scaled appropriately, and the players’ performance is evaluated accurately based on the metrics in each category. The stats are compared with the overall distribution of league performance in each category and then weighted by the category weights. Limitations While SportsMetrics Grades provides an accurate and unbiased evaluation of the players and teams, it has some limitations. Currently, it is technically not possible to rate offensive line players accurately. Thus, those players were rated by expert opinions. Additionally, the ratings for defensive backs should be read cautiously, as the best defensive backs may not have the best numbers since quarterbacks try to avoid throwing in their direction. Don't miss a single ELF Game - Get your Game Pass Players Overview ELF x Sports Metrics Top 100 Graded Players - #100-#91 ELF x Sports Metrics Top 100 Graded Players - #90-#81 ELF x Sports Metrics Top 100 Graded Players - #80-#71 ELF x Sports Metrics Top 100 Graded Players - #70-#61 ELF x Sports Metrics Top 100 Graded Players - #60-#51  

With our new article series, we introduce all 16 teams of the European League of Football for the 2025 season. Today, we take a closer look at the Madrid Bravos, a team that impressed in their first ELF season. They made it all the way to the Wildcard Round before being eliminated by Rhein Fire. Now, with big changes in the roster and coaching staff, the Bravos are ready to take the next step and fight for a spot in the Championship Game.   A former NFL quarterback leads the offense   The Bravos made a big statement by signing their new American quarterback. Reid Sinnett will lead Madrid’s offense in the upcoming season. This will be his first season in Europe, but he brings experience from the NFL and UFL. Sinnett has played for five different NFL teams, including the Buccaneers, Dolphins, Eagles, and Bengals. His strong arm and leadership will be key for the Bravos’ success.   QB Reid Sinnett is set to make a big impact in 2025. ©Greg Fiume/UFL/Getty Images Strong wide receiver corps   For quarterback Reid Sinnett, a reliable group of wide receivers will be essential. The Bravos have built a strong receiving unit this season. Their top target will likely be Aron Cruickshank, a young but experienced player at just 24 years old. He played college football at Rutgers University and had training camps with the Chicago Bears and Pittsburgh Steelers.   Cruickshank’s playing style is similar to Willie Patterson, the Bravos' top receiver from last season, who has now joined the Prague Lions. Like Patterson, Cruickshank is dangerous both as a receiver and a rusher. Additionally, he will make an impact on special teams as a return specialist.   Aron Cruickshank is now hunting for touchdowns with the Bravos. ©Cos Lymperopoulos "Iceman" is back   One of Madrid’s biggest stars is returning to full strength. Alejandro “Iceman” Fernandez is known as one of the best defensive ends in Europe. Last season, he was injured for most of the year and only returned late in the season. Now, with a full preparation, Fernandez is ready to do what he does best: hunt quarterbacks.   Alejandro Fernandez is ready to dominate offensive lines. ©Paula Romo A new offensive genius takes over   The Bravos have also made a big change in the coaching staff. Andrew Weidinger is the new head coach in Madrid. Weidinger has been a key factor for success wherever he coached. He previously worked as the head coach of the Barcelona Dragons and was the offensive coordinator for Rhein Fire.   Weidinger also brings NFL experience, having worked for the Atlanta Falcons and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. His offensive knowledge will be crucial for Madrid’s success. Fans can expect an explosive and well-organized team in 2025.   HC Andrew Weidinger will help the Madrid Bravos' offense reach new strength. ©Justin Derondeau Can the Bravos reach the top?   After an impressive debut season, the Madrid Bravos want to achieve even greater success. The team has made big adjustments, but will everything work out as planned? The 2025 season will show if the Bravos are ready to fight for the ELF Championship.  

As April begins, the ELF’s season five kickoff is getting closer and closer. Imports will arrive soon, and before we know it teams will be in the full swing of pre-season training camps. Teams are just making their finishing touches to their rosters and coaching staff preparing for the May 17th kickoff. Rhein Fire get NFL OL coach & A import The Rhein Fire have added Paul Dunn as their OL coach. He has coached at several top college programs, including Penn State, Rutgers, Cincinnati, Kansas State, and Kentucky. Dunn also has experience in the NFL, where he worked with the Atlanta Falcons from 2008 to 2013. On the field, the Rhein Fire have added University of Pennsylvania receiver Rory Starkey jr. At 189 cm the former IVY league standout is a physical pass catcher who hopes to become a go to guy for Chad Jeffries in a WR room that features, Harlan Kwofie and Jordan Buoah.  Madrid Bravos sign DROY Pierre-Yves Majo The Madrid Bravos have signed swiss talent Pierre-Yves Majo. Majo played 12 games for the Helvetic Mercenaries last season, recording 39 tackles, 7 sacks, and 16 tackles for loss. His outstanding performance earned him the title of Defensive Rookie of the Year.   Vienna Vikings add their final import The Vienna Vikings have added former CFL and USFL veteran Amani Dennis. Dennis was a key defender on current Frankfurt Galaxy head coach Bart Andrus’s USFL team the Philadelphia Stars.  Dennis looks to pair well with Divine Buckram and Benjamin Straight in the Vienna secondary     RB Chris Voumbo stay home  The Paris Musketeers have officially extended the contract of running back Chris Voumbo. Voumbo played very well down the stretch last season finishing the year with  85 carries for 497 yards and 4 touchdowns, averaging an impressive 5.85 yards per carry.   Munich Ravens sign two vital imports The Munich Ravens have signed Dexter Fitzpatrick as their second American import and first on defense. Fitzpacktrick was a 4X all conference player at Mars Hill. We’ll have to wait to see who else joins him in Munich, as the Ravens have yet to announce their other 2 American imports.  The Ravens also bulk up their offensive line by signing Chinazo "CK" Obobi from the UK. Obobi played college football at D1 Marshall University as well as Austin Peay recently.    Get Your Tickets to the 2025 ELF Championship!

The Madrid Bravos have made a strong addition to their defensive line by signing Pierre-Yves Majo. The 24-year-old defensive lineman played his first season in the European League of Football in 2024 and immediately made an impact.   Impressive debut season   Majo played 12 games for the Helvetic Mercenaries last season, recording 39 tackles, 7 sacks, and 16 tackles for loss. His outstanding performance earned him the title of Defensive Rookie of the Year.   With this signing, the Bravos reinforce their ambition to reach the 2025 Championship Game and continue building a dominant defense. Get your tickets for the 2025 Championship Game in Stuttgart!

As March comes to an end the ELF’s season five kickoff is getting closer and closer. Imports will arrive soon, and before we know it, teams will be in the full swing of pre-season training camps. Teams are just making their finishing touches to their rosters and coaching staff, preparing for the May 17th kickoff. Frankfurt adds D1 DBs coach Following a busy week for the Frankfurt Galaxy, they’ve added Tom Mason to be their defensive back coach. Mason has coached for several D1 teams and was most recently with the Central Michigan Chippewas. He also has CFL and AAF experience.  Vienna Vikings add D1 offensive lineman The Vienna Vikings made the splash signing of the week as the runner ups agreed to a contract with massive Swedish offensive lineman Victor Stoffel. Stoffel returns to European football for the first time since 2018 as he’s been a starter for the University California and Temple University over the past 6 seasons.  Raiders bring back homegrown star Tobias Bonnatti is back in black as the Raiders Tirol extended the contract with one of the league’s best homegrown running backs. Bonnati nicknamed the “Italian Stallion” has recorded 1,997 yards and 25 touchdowns in 34 career games for the Raiders. He is the second all-time leader in rushing touchdowns in the ELF, with only Glen Toonga ahead of him. Madrid signs Spanish veteran Cesare Brugnani Brugnani joins the Madrid Bravos after spending the past three seasons with the Barcelona Dragons. The experienced outside linebacker will bring a ton of leadership, knowledge, and playmaking ability to the Madrid defense. In 42 games Brugnani has logged an impressive 205 tackles, 4 sacks, 16.5 tackles for loss, 1 interception, and 2 forced fumbles with 2 fumble recoveries.     X-Factor Hugo Tekedam stay home The Paris Musketeers are bringing back Hugo Tekedam. The french talent played receiver and quarterback in Paris last year and was able to give the offense a spark several times throughout the season. The 23-year old had 48 receptions for 761 yards and four touchdowns last season.  Stuttgart Surge bring in young and proven talent The Stuttgart Surge has re-signed defensive back Nick Wenzelburger. Wenzelburger, one of the more underrated homegrown defenders, has an impressive start line, with 143 tackles, 2 TFL, 9 interceptions, and 2 forced fumbles in his career.  Pairing the experienced Wenzelburger with returning 21-year-old Sarrow Drammeh, could help build out this Surge secondary for 2025.  On the offensive end the Surge have also signed Albert Wiesigstrauch. Wiesigstrauch comes to southwestern Germany after spending the past 4 seasons with the Berlin Thunder.  The dangerous kick returner and running back had his best season last year, with 11 touchdowns and 851 yards from scrimmage last season, split almost evening between receiving and rushing.  A stacked D-line Better yet, the Surge weren't done, introducing their entire defensive line for the 2025 season. The list includes returning talents such as Simon Butsch, Sadik Busch, Max Dommermuth, Leander Strathmann, Alexander Kreß, and E-import Chris Mulumba. Joining a already outstanding defensive line will be former Hamburg Sea Devils and  Raiders Tirol pass rushers Robert Lachman and former All-Star Berend Grube. Veterans Dominic Siegel and Raphael Zistler also join the Surge. Zistler, a former NFL IPP prospect previously played for the Surge in 2023.    Ravens bring back homegrown defender Nico Leiderer The Munich Ravens have strengthened their defensive backfield with homegrown talent, as Nico Leiderer returns for his second season in the European League of Football.  In his first ELF season, he notched 15 tackles, one tackle for loss, and one interception, showing his ability to make big plays on defense.   The Nordic Storm sign their final E-import The Nordic Storm have signed ELF chamion linebacker Emannauel Falola. The Briish linebacker spend last season with the Rhein Fire, and now joins several ex ELF champions with the Storm.  Get Your Tickets to the 2025 ELF Championship Game!