Football: Austria is Europe’s leading force in football

This was demonstrated by the European Championship title at elite level last year, U20 World Cup bronze and World Cup silver for the local flag men this summer. And this is also documented by the ongoing success of the Vienna Vikings in the European League of Football (ELF), with the Viennese in the final, as they will be in 2022.

In the club sector, the Vikings and the Raiders Tirol have been among the best the continent has to offer for a quarter of a century. Both have a football academy – Austria’s NFL figurehead Bernhard Raimann, among others, comes from the Viennese school – and both clubs are a fixture in the ELF (formerly the Eurobowl). The Vikings won the ELF title on their league debut in 2022. Last year, the Viennese reached the semifinals, and now the title could follow again after the spectacular 47:31 semifinal victory over the Paris Musketeers.

Unique record of 34:2 victories

In the regular season over the last three years, head coach Chris Calaycay has a unique record of 34:2 wins. Although there have been setbacks this year due to injuries, a “perfect season,” i.e. a year without defeats, is possible. “You go through many phases. At the beginning we had a lot of injuries in the offense. Our defense carried us through. Later we had injuries in the defense, so the offense took over. We started the journey together and are now slowly coming to the end. “All of this has made us a stronger team,” explained Calaycay.

The coaching wizard, born in Hawaii, came to Vienna 25 years ago and played quarterback for the Vikings. He has been a coach for the Violets since 2004. “It’s a journey for American football. It’s gotten bigger and bigger,” said Calaycay, who was also part of the red-white-red national team until the European Championship title last year. Austria has a great reputation in football, the 48-year-old knows. “We have to grow with it – fans, sponsors, investors, ticket sellers, athletes. We always want to be the top team in Europe, but it’s a harder road.”

This is done right here

Was it done right here? “Coaching and the young talent in the clubs. I coach players here in Vienna who I have known since they were twelve years old. I have also known the coaching staff for many years, Max Sommer for example.” Sommer is the national team manager and offensive coordinator for the Vikings.

The domestic association AFBÖ sees things similarly. “Through the successful focus on solid training of young people and coaches and through overwhelming commitment, we have succeeded in establishing Austria as one of the top nations in Europe and also worldwide,” said AFBÖ President Michael Eschlböck. He also highlighted the teamwork of everyone involved. “The fact that everyone is pulling in the same direction is the basis of the current success.”

Football is currently one of the fastest growing sports in Austria. “We are the ‘hottest shit’ in town,” says Vikings co-owner Robin Lumsden. The fact that flag football will be an Olympic sport at the Summer Games in four years’ time will further fuel the hype surrounding the rotating “egg-ball.”

Tackle football is a major challenge for clubs

However, financially, tackle football with its large squads is a major undertaking for the clubs. “We are doing well. But there are still challenges. You often have to ask yourself whether it is worth it. You need a lot of sponsors for multi-year planning. “Vikings as a brand are becoming more and more valuable,” said Lumsden.

The fact that the Raiders, who narrowly missed the ELF playoffs this year, are also an attractive football franchise can be seen in their head coach. Jim Herrmann has just extended his contract with the Innsbruck team by two years. The 63-year-old was a coach in the NFL for 13 years and won the Super Bowl with the New York Giants in 2012. “Jim is exactly the right man for our goals,” explained Tyrol’s managing director Ulz Däuber. And, like everywhere else in Austria, these are set very high.