Vikings hope for record crowd against Paris

The Vienna Vikings go into the first semi-final match of the European League of Football (ELF) against the Paris Musketeers on Saturday (3:15 p.m./live ORF Sport +) as favorites.

As the top-seeded team and with home advantage behind them, the big goal is to reach the final in Gelsenkirchen. “We are going into this match with confidence. We have earned the number one status in this league,” said Vikings head coach Chris Calaycay at a media event on Wednesday.

The Vikings have also reached the playoffs in their third ELF year. Just like last season, the team remained undefeated in the regular season – no ELF team has ever achieved this before.

But while last year they were eliminated in the semifinals (against Stuttgart Surge), the Vikings want to reach the championship game on September 22nd, just like in 2022 – when they won the title. This will be played in front of a record crowd, with more than 35,000 tickets having been sold so far for the game at Schalke.

But before that, the Vikings are hoping for their own record-breaking game in Vienna. Up to 12,000 spectators are expected in the Generali Arena in Favoriten, and future tennis retiree Dominic Thiem will perform the coin toss in front of US Ambassador Victoria Kennedy.

Vikings face emotional first-leg duel against Paris

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“This is something I thought about over 20 years ago when I came here, this is what football could be like. Coming to the stadium here, having a record crowd that can influence the game for us. We always wanted the best.” “To be a football team in Europe, organizationally and athletically. That is our goal,” explained Calaycay.

The Vikings have never played against Paris, which eliminated the Munich Ravens 40:37 in the first round of the play-offs. Calaycay expects an emotional duel. “Paris is a loud team, they come straight at you and talk a lot. It’s important that my players understand that this will be very emotional.” But: “If we play our game, everything else will fall into place, and you’ll see that on the scoreboard.”

National player Thomas Schaffer also warns against the “Musketeers”. “Quarterback Zach Edwards is very dangerous – with his arm and his legs. He loves to run, that’s something we have to stop.” Schaffer, who has NFL experience, is fit again after his injury at the start of the season. “I’m in top shape. I’ve been working towards being able to bring my A-game in the playoffs,” said the defender.

“It really clicked”

In fact, Calaycay can rely on almost the entire squad, not least thanks to the recent two-week break. “That helped us. We are largely healthy again. That gives me a lot of confidence.”

Vikings quarterback Ben Holmes will continue his performance in the regular season. In nine games, the American threw 34 touchdown passes. That’s an average of 3.8 per game with 289 yards thrown per game – both league bests. His favorite pass receiver was fellow countryman Reece Horn, who threw over 1,000 yards and 13 touchdowns.

“As an offense, we needed to see where we were headed. Now I’m very happy with how we’ve developed. It’s really clicked,” explained Holmes, who doesn’t seem to be averse to staying in Vienna. If the Vikings win, the winner of the duel between Stuttgart Surge and defending champion Rhein Fire will be waiting in the final.