The rise of the “egg talker”: Why football is booming in Austria

Successes at all levels are causing enthusiasm for the Americans’ favorite sport to skyrocket here too. Chris Calaycay, successful coach of the Vienna Vikings, knows the reasons and explains in which areas there is still potential. “We have to grow with it.”

Regardless of whether it is in the national team, at club level, in the youth team or in the non-corporeal flag variant: Austria is the leading force in American football in Europe. This was demonstrated by the European Championship title at elite level last year, U20 World Cup bronze and World Cup silver for the domestic flag men this summer. And this is also documented by the ongoing success of the Vienna Vikings in the European League of Football (ELF) – the Viennese are 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 made it to the semifinals, and now the title could follow again after the spectacular 47:31 semifinal victory over the Paris Musketeers.

The dream of the “perfect season”

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 due to injuries this year, a “perfect season” – even a year without a loss – is possible.

“People 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 because the offense was taken 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 Hawaii-born coaching wizard 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 an excellent 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 path.”

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 of 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 in Los Angeles in four years will further fuel the hype surrounding the “egg-ball”. (ag./rot)