Wroclaw Panthers

The first game week of the 2025 ELF season is complete, and it already gave us exciting action, close finishes, and strong performances from many players across Europe. Among them were several homegrown talents who stepped up in key moments and helped their teams succeed. Defensive players become Quarterback nightmares In Wroclaw, the Panthers dominated the Fehérvár Enthroners with a 55-point performance, but it wasn’t just the offense that impressed. The defense played a major role, especially the defensive line, which became a nightmare for Enthroners quarterback Brock Domann. He was sacked five times, with Karlis Brauns and Hubert Ogrodowczyk each collecting two sacks. The Panthers’ front was aggressive, physical, and simply too much for the Enthroners' offensive line. At Rhein Fire, two more defenders made headlines. Hugo Klages constantly pressured Paris Musketeers QB Jaylon Henderson and recorded two sacks. His teammate Flamur Simon, one of the league’s top linebackers, led the team with several important tackles and sealed the win with a game-winning interception. Simon’s leadership and football IQ were once again on full display. Hugo Klages made two sacks against the Musketeers. ©Maxime Le Pihif Speedster Mayr runs past the Lions Offensively, Yannick Mayr proved why he’s one of the fastest players in the league. Back with his former team, the Vienna Vikings, Mayr quickly became a favorite target for quarterback Ben Holmes. He finished the game with 7 catches for 139 yards and also added value in the return game, bringing back two kickoffs for a total of 69 yards. His deep threat ability gave the Vikings a strong vertical option from the very start. Yannick Mayr is known for making big plays. ©Hannes Jirgal Running back trio shines bright The running back position also saw great homegrown talent. In Wroclaw, Dawid Brzozowski picked up right where he left off last season. He ran for 113 yards and a touchdown on just 17 carries, showing great vision and balance. In Wil, Anton Witmeur took the spotlight for the Nordic Storm after starting RB Glen Toonga left the game due to injury. Witmeur stepped in and impressed with 106 rushing yards and a touchdown, averaging an outstanding 9.64 yards per carry — a breakout performance under pressure. Meanwhile in Munich, Justin Rodney continued to prove his value as a dynamic all-around weapon. The Ravens running back rushed for 103 yards on 15 carries and added a crucial 39-yard touchdown reception in a key moment of the game, helping Munich beat the Raiders Tirol. Justin Rodney continued his strong performance from last season. ©Roland Johannes Week 1 reminded us how deep the talent pool in the ELF has become — especially among local players. And with Week 2 just ahead, more stories will be written, and new homegrowns will rise. Don't miss a single game - Get your Game Pass now!

What a amazing week one of the 2025 ELF football season. Whether it was nail-bitting finishes, highlight plays, or of course the league's passionate fans that make the gameday so specail. It was great to see ELF football back in full swing.On the Fantasy side of things we were able to record the top scorers from a fantasy perfective for week one. Due to the transition to StatsPerform, team points will only be awarded starting from Week 2. That said, team stats for Week 1 will be added by today, and once they’re in, we’ll announce the winner of the first weekly prize. Some features that were originally planned for Week 1 — like adding friends and live player stats — had to be postponed due to the StatsPerform integration. We’re now aiming to launch both features with Week 3. Thanks for your understanding and support — we’re working hard to make your fantasy experience even better! Sign up for ELF Fantasy manager here! With week one in the books let's take a look at what woul've been the perfect line up for our opening weekend slate. Quarterback: Jakeb Sullivan, Berlin Thunder (47.02 Points) The veteran threw only two incomplete passes on the day as he led the Thunder to a easy victory. Sullivan finished the game with a league best 413 passing yards and a impressive seven touchdowns. RB1: Glen Toonga, Nordic Storm (24.50 Points) The reigning MVP picked up where he left off last season with 114 yards on only 12 carries. Toonga also scored the first touchdown in the history of the Nordic Storm before leaving the game with an injury. In the passing game, he addd three catches for 41 yards. RB2: Gennadiy Adams, Berlin Thunder (23.90 Points) Adam's ran for 66 yards on only 11 carries reaching the endzone once. He also added a receiving touchdown on two catches for 33 yards. WR1: Bryce Goggin, Berlin Thunder (41.60 Points) Goggin introduced himself to the ELF with a monster performance catching 7 passes for 166 yards and two scores. Goggin created several huge plays and seems to be the go-to guy for Sullivna moving forward in Berlin.  WR2: Brendan Beaulieu, Nordic Storm (32.90 Points) In Beaulieu's first ELF game he caught 9 passes for 115 yards and two touchdowns as he helped the Nordic Storm roll to a big road victory in thier team's first ever game. TE: Adria Botello Moreno, Nordic Storm (18.50 Points) Another member of the Storm on this list is veteran Botello Moreno. The Spanish veteran scored two touchdowns on only 4 catches finishing the game with only 25 yards, but two touchdowns.  Flex: Auston Osborne, Cologne Centurions (30.90 Points) The former Bowling Green standout was maybe the only silver lining for Cologne in this game. The ex-D1 pass catcher hauled in 8 passes for 169 yards and a score of 92 yards in his first ELF game.  Kicker: Mathy's Dupoint, Paris Musketeers & Timo Bronn, Stuttgart Surge (9 Points) Both kickers looked great in week one hitting field goals in key spots for thier team. Dupont hit three short field goals vs the Rhein Fire while Bronn hit two field goals and 3 extra points in his return to the Surge.  Defense/Special teams: Wroclaw Panthers (30 Points) The Panthers held the Enthroners too only 12 points in a resounding week one win. Panthers defensive back Devan Burrell scored twice once on a kick return and again on a interception return for maybe the play off the week. Wroclaw finished the game with 5 sacks, dominating the Enthroners up front. Watch all the games on DAZN!  

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 Wroclaw Panthers start a European Football season with a win for the fifth time. This makes them one of the few ELF teams to win all of their opening games. In addition to quarterback Demarcus “DJ” Irons Jr., Devan Burrell also played a major role in the Panthers' 55:12 victory over the Ferhévár Enthroners. The ELF 2024 Special teams Player of the Year once again proved why he rightly holds this title. In addition to 126 kickoff return yards, Burrell ran for 87 punt return yards and a return touchdown. Panthers star Burrell: "I see this game like a game we had to have faith to finish" “I see this game like a game we had to have faith to finish,” said Burrell after the game. In addition to his return qualities, the US-American was also required as a cornerback. Here he repeatedly had to deal with Enthroner's A-import receiver Rashad Still. "A talented boy, he's tall. But it wasn't too much for me," said Burell. He still couldn't prevent Still from scoring a touchdown, but he held him under 60 receiving yards. Panthers Head Coach Craig Kuligowski: was happy with his team's performance after the game: "I'm happy with the way we played. I knew that we were capable of winning this large margin. You know, our goal is to play as well as we can play every game." Craig Kuligowski ©Lukasz Skwiot. "We really did a good job": Panthers Head Coach Kuligowski happy  In addition to Burrell, new Panthers quarterback Irons Jr. also put in a great performance, scoring five total touchdowns for his team. “DJ Irons did not disappoint,” says Kuligowski and warns the upcoming opponents: “In my opinion can play even better.” Overall, the Panthers showed a very positive development in the first game of the season. "We really did a good job running the football and passing the ball, playing complimentary, doing a good job, getting the clock down at the end of the game when we needed to secure the victory. And I really was happy with the improvement on our offense", says the Panthers Head Coach. Watch Enthroners at Panthers highlights here! Kuligowski and Burrell warn ahead of Nordic Storm However, the task ahead is a tough one for the Polish team. A hungry Nordic Storm team, who won their first game in franchise history, is waiting in Week 2. “This is a really good team coming in,” says coach Kuligowski. "We're going to have to improve in all three phases and really reduce the amount of penalties and mistakes that we had. That's, that's our, that's the big thing for us to improve on." Special teams star Devan Burrell has a similar view. "Next week, they're gonna watch and see what we did, and they're gonna see our weaknesses and where it plays and the other team that they hit us at. So, coming next week, be more disciplined, be able to read the quarterback and make a new play." And perhaps the 29-year-old can help his team with another return touchdown. 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!

DJ Irons Jr. had a great start in his first game in the European League of Football (ELF). The new quarterback of the Wroclaw Panthers showed his skills right away. In the first game of the 2025 season, Irons Jr. led his team with an amazing performance — scoring 5 touchdowns! Many touchdowns, not many yards Even though he did not have many total yards, DJ Irons Jr. was very effective. He threw for 113 yards and ran for 77 yards. But most importantly, he made big plays when it mattered most. One highlight was a beautiful 26-yard run that scored the first points of the game. Watch the highlights here! Tough test ahead Next week, the Panthers will play against Nordic Storm — a strong team and an early challenge in the season. Fans are excited to see if Irons Jr. can play just as well and help Wroclaw win again. Watch all ELF games Live on DAZN!

Season five is here! Week 1 in the European League of Football started with some good Matchups and highlights. Let's take a look at the early games of Saturday 17th May.  Watch all plays live with the Game Pass on DAZN Fehérvár Enthroners @ Wroclaw Panthers: 12:55  The Wroclaw Panthers remain strong in season opening games, winning their first game of the season six out of six times. Quarterback Demarcus "DJ" Irons Jr. in particular impressed in his first game in a Panthers jersey. The A-import added a strong new dimension to the Panthers' offense. The dual threat showed his qualities in both the pass and the run, and opens up a lot of space and opportunities for star running back David Brzozowski through clever play-actions. Irons scored his first ELF touchdown already on the third play with a strong 26-yard run. In addition to strong footwork, the newcomer also impressed with excellent ball placement. Irons Jr. finished the game with three passing touchdowns and two rushing touchdowns, racking up 117 passing and 77 rushing yards. Teammate Devin Burrell proved once again why he was named Special Teams Player of the Year last season, scoring another punt return touchdown in addition to plenty of return yards. The A-import also made a crazy 82-yard interception return, during which he broke several tackles. The Fehérvár Enthroners on the other side made some good plays. In the end, however, they were unable to keep up with the Panthers' offensive power. In addition, they showed some weaknesses on defense. Quarterback Brock Domann still showed a solid game, but was often hold back by the strong defense of the opponent, the bad weather from the second half on and his own offensive line (four sacks). In the end, the only thing the Enthroners won on this day is the coin toss.     "DJ" Irons impressed. ©Lukasz Skwiot Watch the Enthroners at Panthers Highlights Rhein Fire @ Paris Musketeers: 17:15  The Rhein Fire reminded fans that they are still the team to beat in the ELF, extending their win streak against the Paris Musketeers. New quarterback Chad Jeffries made several big plays in this one, both as a runner and a passer. The veteran ran and threw for a touchdown in his Rhein Fire debut.However, the play of the day came on the defense for the Fire as All-Star homegrown linebacker Flamur Simon made a diving interception with under a minute to go, sealing the game for the Fire.The defending champions spoiled the debut of new Paris head coach Jack Del Rio and quarterback Jaylon Henderson. The Musketeers out gained the Fire in yardage but struggled in the red zone. Paris had a chance to win the game but costly sacks and a interception ended their hopes of pulling off the upset.  Champion Rhein Fire start the season 1-0. ©Maxime LePihif.   Watch the Rhein Fire at Musketeers 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

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

One of the more interesting divisions in the ELF this upcoming season is the East Division, consisting of the Vienna Vikings, Ferhévár Enthroners, Prague Lions and Wroclaw Panthers. Let’s take a look at some of the top storylines from these four franchises. Can the Vikings run it back? The Vikings fell just short of the title game last September. Now they bring back several of their key contributors and have added new talent across the board. Head coach Chris Calaycay seems to have his squad dialed in for another run at the title. Look for the Vikings to have a lot of team chemistry as most of the 2024 team is back in purple.  Prague Lions roaring rebuild New head coach Dave Warner seems to have done a great job in the Czech Capital. The Lions have added several ELF veterans including Willie Patterson, Ja’Len Embry, and Jasper Friis. Prague has a long way to go to become a playoff team given their 2024 performance, however, the squad seems to be one of the most quickly rising teams in the ELF.    Star power in Poland The Wroclaw Panthers have stars such as Devan Burrell, Darrell Stewart Jr, and of course linebacker AJ Wentland back. The team has also added several key E imports and young homegrown talent. At quarterback, they hope that former Akron passer DJ Irons can be the answer behind center after using several quarterbacks last season.    Enthroners eager to win Long time NFL assistant coach Mark Ridgley became head coach of the Hungarian squad this off-season. The team also signed ex-Louisville quarterback Brock Dooman to be their leader behind center. They have also signed former D1 imports Rashad Still (WR) and Michael Badejo (DL) along with several promising homegrowns. Ridgley hopes to take the Enthroners squad to new heights after three consecutive loosing seasons.  Get Your ELF Game Pass on DAZN  

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 the Wroclaw Panthers: Active Players Offense Quarterback #0 Demarcus Irons (Quarterback) Running Back #22 Dawid Brzozowski (Running Back) #29 Kamil Kotlarz (Running Back) #20 Tomasz Kempka (Running Back) Tight End #87 Mateusz Wojakiewicz (Tight End) #80 Hubert Frej (Tight End) #88 Robin Merjenburgh (Tight End) Wide Receiver #18 Adrian Gródecki (Wide Receiver) #84 Michał Goszczyński (Wide Receiver) #82 Przemysław Banat (Wide Receiver) #10 Maciej Krupa (Wide Receiver) #1 Kacper Jaszewski (Wide Receiver) #8 Darrell Stewart (Wide Receiver) #11 Ott Ottender (Wide Receiver) Offensive Tackle #64 Konrad Orzechowski (Offensive Tackle) #70 Jędrzej Rudnicki (Offensive Tackle) #65 Lukas Majer (Offensive Tackle) #68 Ezzat Elnagmi (Offensive Tackle) Offensive Guard #72 Jakub Gajewski (Offensive Guard) #76 Jakub Rybicki (Offensive Guard) Center #55 Rafał Rogaczewski (Center) Defense Defensive Tackle #97 Łukasz Gembara (Defensive Tackle) #99 Laurynas Orlovicius (Defensive Tackle) Defensive End #3 Karlis Brauns (Defensive End) #54 Stanisław Idziak (Defensive End) #91 Oskar Romaniuk (Defensive End) #90 Ksawery Tracz (Defensive End) #4 Jordan Scanlan (Defensive End) Middle Linebacker #49 A.J. Wentland (Linebacker) #2 Hubert Ogrodowczyk (Linebacker) #35 Krzystof Wis (Middle Linebacker) #40 Tomasz Kiszka (Inside Linebacker) #34 Patryk Guk (Linebacker) #45 Szymon Barczak (Inside Linebacker) Cornerback #26 Grzegorz Lary (Cornerback) #25 Adam Lary (Cornerback) #32 Kacper Jazienicki (Cornerback) #5 Devan Burrell (Cornerback) #27 Tomasz Osmański (Cornerback) #21 Maciej Jabłoński (Cornerback) #17 Zakaria Oueldsidi (Cornerback) Free Safety #31 Szymon Romanowski (Free Safety) Strong Safety #19 Daniel Piątkowski (Strong Safety) #9 Milos Ilić (Strong Safety) #24 Marcel Łach (Strong Safety) Special Teams Kicker #7 Jakub Ałdaś (Kicker) #15 Tymoteusz Zieniewicz (Kicker) Punter #6 Mateusz Hernacki (Punter) Inactive Players Injured or PUP Players 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 Wroclaw Panthers

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

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 first look at the podium with #3. #3 A.J. Wentland Middle linebackers are a fundamental part of the game and yet are often overlooked. A.J. Wentland has great value not only to the Wroclaw Panthers game, but to the entire franchise.  In a very mixed season, Wentland stood out with his great motivational skills and strong performances. The US American even set a new league season tackling record with 164 tackles. Unsurprisingly, Wentland was selected for the All-Star team at the end of the season - his third appearance in his third ELF year.  The 30-year-old defender's numbers read like a picture book: twelve games, 166 tackles, including 13.5 for loss, 4.5 sacks, one interception, five pass deflections and four forced fumbles. Wentland even suddenly took over the offense and scored a touchdown. Unbelievable. No surprise that the Panthers have extended their contract with Wentland this offseason. A.J. Wentland takes the #3 spot in the ELF Top 100 after a fantastic 2024 season. Don't miss a single ELF Game - get your Game Pass

The Wroclaw Panthers have made a strong move to boost their defense by signing Latvian defensive lineman Laurynas Orlovicius. Orlovicius is a well-known name in the ELF, having played for the Fehérvár Enthroners and the Raiders Tirol. Proven talent from previous teams Last season, Orlovicius only played in three games for the Enthroners, but he quickly showed his talent on the field. Despite the limited playing time, he delivered solid numbers with 17 tackles, 2 sacks, 3 tackles for loss, one safety, and two fumble recoveries. Before joining Fehérvár, Orlovicius also impressed during his time with the Raiders Tirol. His performances there helped build his reputation as a strong and reliable defender. With his experience and skills, the Panthers hope he will play a key role in their defense this 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 are based only on on-field performance — including consistency, impact, and position-specific stats. Today, we take a look at the player ranked #10. #10 Dawid Brzozowski The 2024 season did not go as planned for the Wroclaw Panthers. The team started the year with hopes for the playoffs — or even the Championship Game — but faced many challenges. Changes at the quarterback position and in the coaching staff caused a slow start. However, the Panthers fought back and finished the season with a 6-6 record. A key part of this comeback was running back Dawid Brzozowski. Brzozowski had another great season after already showing his talent in 2023. In 12 games, he rushed for an impressive 1,119 yards and scored 8 touchdowns. With his powerful runs, he helped the Panthers take control of games and forced opponents to play on their terms. The 2023 Homegrown of the Year and First Team All-Star will return to the Panthers for the 2025 season, where he will play alongside quarterback DJ Irons to help lead the offense once again. If he keeps playing like this, Brzozowski could become one of the best running backs in ELF history.Don't miss a single game - Get your Game Pass now!

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 Wrocław Panthers who are poised to make a significant run for the playoffs this season. With strategic acquisitions, the extensions of key players, and a reinforced coaching staff, the Panthers aim for a postseason appearance.  American QB DJ Irons and WR Darrell Stewart Jr. lead the team The Panthers have secured quarterback Demarcus "DJ" Irons to spearhead their offense. Standing at 1.93 meters and weighing 100 kg, Irons brings a dual-threat capability. His athleticism and versatility are expected to bring the Panthers’ offense to new heights.  Complementing Irons is wide receiver Darrell Stewart Jr., a former Stuttgart Surge and Michigan State standout known for his speed and agility. Stewart's addition aims to enhance the Panthers' aerial attack, providing a reliable target for Irons. Last season, the veteran struggled with injuries and was limited to only eight games, putting up 367 yards and 6 total touchdowns for the Surge. In 2023 Stewart was a key part of the Surge's run to the ELF championship game, putting up 754 yards and 5 touchdowns on 59 catches in only eight games. On the defensive side, the Panthers roll with one of the most productive and steady players in the entire European League of Football: A.J. Wentland. The American linebacker will come back for another season with the Polish franchise to yet make another case for Defensive Player of the Year with his freakish athleticism and production.  European imports - Atilla Isik signs on defense On the defensive side, the Panthers have enlisted Turkish defensive back Atilla Isik, the 2021 ELF Defensive Rookie of the Year. Isik's experience and playmaking abilities are anticipated to bolster a secondary that faced challenges in the previous season.​ Homegrown Talent - Brzozowski and Jabłoński Anchor the Team Running back Dawid Brzozowski remains a cornerstone of the Panthers' offense. After recording 1,139 rushing yards and eight touchdowns last season, Brzozowski's re-signing ensures continuity and a potent ground game.​ Defensive back Maciej Jabłoński also returns, bringing with him a record of 38 tackles, nine pass deflections, and four interceptions from the previous season. His continued presence adds stability and experience to the defensive unit and a more than solid homegrown player.​ Coaching staff - Kuligowski's vision for excellence Head Coach Craig Kuligowski enters the season with a clear objective: to mold the Panthers into ELF champions. Emphasizing the recruitment of experienced staff and targeted player acquisitions, Kuligowski aims to enhance the team's competitiveness across all aspects of the game. "We’re in the process of hiring a more experienced staff so that we can give our players the best coaching in the ELF," he stated in an interview upon his extension.​ The coaching roster has been further strengthened with the additions of Bryant Foster as Defensive Backs Coach and Co-Defensive Coordinator, Derek Rickart as Defensive Line Coach, and Kurt Page as Quarterbacks Coach. These appointments reflect a commitment to comprehensive player development and tactical refinement.​ A season full of potential With a blend of seasoned imports, steadfast homegrown players, and a revitalized coaching staff, the Wrocław Panthers are well-positioned for a competitive 2025 season. The integration of new talent, strategic leadership in coaches, and the extension of game-changing players sets the stage for the Panthers to challenge for the ELF title and establish themselves as a formidable force in the league. © Łukasz Skwiot

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 take a look at the players ranked from #30 to #21. #30 Tobias Bonatti Austrian running back Tobias Bonatti had another great season for the Raiders Tirol, even though an injury stopped him from playing the full year. In limited games, he still rushed for 750 yards and scored 13 touchdowns — earning his spot in the Top 100. Sven Breidenbach is one of the best offensive tackles in the league. ©Frederick Loewer  #29 Sven Breidenbach Sven Breidenbach is one of the key players behind Rhein Fire’s success. His strong performance on the offensive line helped the team win back-to-back ELF Championships. Breidenbach is respected across the European football scene. #28 Adrià Botella Moreno Tight end Adrià Botella Moreno is considered one of the best to ever play in the ELF. In 2024, he once again showed his talent with the Wroclaw Panthers. Even though the team had a mixed season, Moreno’s personal performance stood out. #27 Aleksandar Borkovic Serbian defensive back Aleksandar Borkovic impressed with his strong play for the Prague Lions in 2024. Now, with new homegrown rules in place, the Fehérvár Enthroners have added him to their roster as a valuable local talent. Rookie of the Year Milan Spiller is ready to go all out again in 2025. ©Just Shots #26 Milan Spiller Milan Spiller made history in his rookie ELF season by becoming the first European wide receiver to reach over 1,000 receiving yards. The Offensive Rookie of the Year will return to the Helvetic Mercenaries in 2025 as a top target for QB Isaiah Weed. #25 Jadrian Clark Championship Game MVP Jadrian Clark had a quieter season statistically compared to his 2023 MVP year — but he stepped up when it mattered most. His leadership and clutch play helped his team once again. Now, he joins the Nordic Storm as one of the ELF’s top quarterbacks. #24 Dauson Dales Linebacker Dauson Dales finished his career on a high note with the Paris Musketeers. He helped the team reach the semifinals and had a very strong final season before officially retiring from football. #23 Omari Williams Omari Williams has been in the ELF since day one — and now he's a three-time champion. Known for his consistency and ability to make big plays, Williams is tied as the all-time interception leader in the ELF. In 2025, he’ll aim to take the record for himself. Linebacker Zachary Blair played for the Milano Seamen in 2024. ©Marc Junge #22 Zachary Blair A true veteran of the league, Zach Blair played for several teams — including the Surge, Rams, and Centurions. In 2024, he suited up for the Milano Seamen and delivered strong performances, even though injuries shortened his season. #21 Karri Pajarinen Finnish running back Karri Pajarinen had a fantastic 2024 season for the Vienna Vikings. He totaled over 1,300 all-purpose yards and proved to be a dangerous weapon both on the ground and in the passing game — making him one of the top European imports in the league. 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 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 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!

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