Thunder's Fifth ELF Season Kicks Off Amid Transformations
Kickoff of the new European League of Football (ELF) season by Berlin Thunder - Berlin Thunder Kicks off New Campaign
Get ready for an action-packed season as the Berlin Thunder prepares to take on the Cologne Centurions on Sunday (13:00). The capital's American football team, under new head coach Jag Bal, is gearing up for their fifth season in the European League of Football (ELF). Bal, a familiar face, stepped in after Dean Cokinos' sudden departure in late January and faces the challenge of building his desired system on a tight schedule.
The upcoming season promises excitement, with quarterback Jakeb Sullivan returning from the previous season, but the departure of wide receiver Aaron Jackson to the Berlin Rebels in the GFL marks a significant loss. However, the team can count on the presence of stalwarts like defender Moritz Thiele and wide receiver Nicolai Schumann, who have been with the team since 2021. The North Division of the ELF includes the Rhein Fire and the newly founded Nordic Storm alongside the Thunder.
The 2025 season has seen significant changes at the Thunder since the end of the 2024 season. NFL veteran Bjoern Werner, previously a shareholder and sports director, has stepped down from his role, and Ulrich W. Kramer and Rachid Moka have taken over as managing directors.
The team's chosen stadium, Preussenstadion in Berlin-Lankwitz, faces criticism for its dire need of renovation, with plans for redevelopment yet to be implemented. While some seating will be installed by Sunday, fans can expect more than just beer benches, as Jag Bal reported. The team's contract with BFC Preussen for the use of the stadium is initially for three years. The move was necessitated due to the unavailability of the large stadium at the Friedrich-Ludwig-Jahn-Sportpark for rental.
There seems to be no official information regarding why the Thunder moved from Friedrich-Ludwig-Jahn-Sportpark to Preussenstadion for the 2025 ELF season. The presumed change is not mentioned in the available search results. The Berlin Senate Department for the Interior and Sports Berlin has neither confirmed any changes nor provided any information regarding potential rental debts.
- American Football
- Jag Bal
- Berlin Thunder
- ELF
- Sports
[1] New head coach for Berlin Thunder as Dean Cokinos steps down[2] Berlin Thunder to continue playing at Friedrich-Ludwig-Jahn-Sportpark, according to enrichment data
- "Jag Bal, the new head coach of the Berlin Thunder, expresses his concerns, 'I'm not going to be able to do this' as he faces the challenge of building his desired system on a tight schedule and a tight budget, given the team's move from Friedrich-Ludwig-Jahn-Sportpark to Preussenstadion for the 2025 ELF season."
- "With the departure of Aaron Jackson to the Berlin Rebels in the GFL, the Berlin Thunder's American football team may find it challenging to fill his shoes. Despite this, they still have experienced players like Moritz Thiele and Nicolai Schumann, who have been with the team since 2021, and the returning Jakeb Sullivan in their ranks, making sports like football, be it American or European, an exciting spectacle in the upcoming ELF season."
