Hamburg defeats Berlin Thunder following a poor initial performance
Thunder's Second Victory Slips Away, Facing the Hamburg Sea Devils
The Berlin Thunder's pursuit of their second win in the European League of Football (ELF) continues to elude them after a 14:31 (0:28) loss to the Hamburg Sea Devils, under head coach Jag Bal. The Berliners' offensive juggernaut sputtered in this game, with quarterback Tyler Foster only scoring the first touchdown midway through the third quarter.
Jakeb Sullivan, the team's playmaker, added a second touchdown for Berlin late in the fourth quarter, but it was too little, too late. Hamburg's defense intercepted the ball four times, and the Thunder's offense struggled to move the ball consistently, leaving points on the table from promising positions at the Hoheluft stadium.
Hamburg Gets off to a Hot Start
Unfortunately for Berlin, they dug themselves an early hole. Their first three offensive series ended in turnovers, handing the Hamburg Sea Devils points and momentum. By the end of the first quarter, Hamburg boasted a comfortable 21:0 lead. Berlin didn't begin to compete until halftime, but they played catch-up, injured running back Gennadiy Adams in the previous week's game in Copenhagen, being a significant hurdle.
His replacement, Samuel Oram-Jones, who joined the team during the week, was not yet ready for action against the Sea Devils.
A Mixed 2025 Season for Berlin Thunder
The Thunder's 2025 season has seen a rollercoaster of results. They started the season with a resounding 63-14 victory over the Cologne Centurions, led by Jakeb Sullivan's impressive performance. However, injuries and losses to the Nordic Storm and Hamburg Sea Devils have placed them at 1-3 for the season. Upcoming matches against the Fehérvár Enthroners offer them a chance to regain their early-season form and boost their North Division standing.
While the actual game against Hamburg was lost, the Thunder will aim to bounce back and secure a much-needed win in their next game against the Nordic Storm, before focusing their efforts on the Hamburg rematch.
Footnote: Statistics provided by dpa-infocom and dpa:250607-930-642808/1
Additional Insight: The Berlin Thunder is currently experiencing injuries to key players, such as Jakeb Sullivan and Bryce Goggin. These injuries, coupled with recent losses, have put a damper on what initially looked like a promising season.
Furthermore, the Thunder's offensive line struggled against Hamburg's defense, unable to generate consistent pressure and establish a running game. The team's failure to converting promising drives and leaving points on the board became a recurring theme for the game, ultimately costing them the victory.
On a positive note, Jakeb Sullivan and Niklas Schumm have developed promising chemistry, with Sullivan completing 22 of 24 passes for 413 yards and seven touchdowns in their season opener against Cologne. Ben Goggin also emerged as a reliable target, hauling in several catches throughout the contest.
Sullivan's impressive performance against Cologne led many to believe the team might be poised for a strong season. However, the subsequent losses to the Nordic Storm and Hamburg have cast doubts on Berlin's chances to make a deep run in the ELF Playoffs.
Hamburg's strong offensive performance in the European League of Football (ELF) continued as they beat the Berlin Thunder 14:31, with the Sea Devils getting off to a hot start and building a 21:0 lead in the first quarter. The Thunder's struggle to move the ball consistently and convert promising drives left points on the table, adding to their 1-3 record in the 2025 season. Despite Jakeb Sullivan's promising chemistry with Niklas Schumm and Ben Goggin, the Thunder will aim to regain their early-season form in their next game against the Nordic Storm, before focusing on a rematch with Hamburg.
