Vienna's Coup Sequences Trip to Berlin
Title: Duisburg Shakes Up Vienna Vikings' Home Record, Armstrong Calls for Confidence
A win in Vienna could significantly pump up the confidence. After all, the Vikings had never lost a home game in the European League of Football's brief history – until Rhein Fire bagged a 33:26 victory in Austria's capital last Saturday. Now, Fred Armstrong, the new offensive coordinator of the defending champions, wants to see this confidence from his players. "We are the reigning champions - and that's exactly how we should present ourselves," says the coach ahead of the away game against Berlin Thunder, which will kick off at 13:00 in the Preußenstadion on Sunday.
"Each game is another step forward in the development of the entire team," says running back Jonathan Scott, who's been playing better and better lately. The running game has improved recently, but the passing game still needs some polishing. Some areas that could use a boost are the defensive line and the wide receivers, with Jordan Bouah already on the injury list and the connection between quarterback Chad Jeffries and pass receiver Rory Starkey being far from optimal.
Meanwhile, it appears Berlin Thunder might not be in the best shape this season. Although they have won two games, both victories were against weaker opponents like Cologne and Fehervar. In their last game against Munich, they put up a stable performance, losing 12:35. But Thunder's defense has often been exploited, like in a previous game where Malik Stanley of the Ravens racked up multiple touchdowns, exposing their vulnerabilities.
Rhein Fire seems to be in a stronger position with a 3-2 North Division record, while Berlin Thunder has a less impressive 2-4 record. The upcoming games against each other on June 29 and July 27 will be crucial for both teams, offering opportunities to consolidate leads and turn around fortunes.
However, Thunder might not be underestimated, warns linebacker Marius Kelsy in a conversation with the sports department. "They have good people in the offense," says Kelsy. In Berlin, they've made some roster changes, bringing in players like wide receiver Brandon Polk and a running back [name unspecified], aiming to boost their offensive capabilities.
Despite these opposing performances, there seems to be some turmoil within Berlin. A club employee posted on LinkedIn, expressing concerns about the low attendance at the Preußenstadion, even hinting at a possible relocation for the team[6]. Other issues include running back Gennadiy Adams, who complained bitterly about the club's management in an email, highlighting unpaid salaries and broken promises related to visa matters and housing[6].
In conclusion, Rhein Fire's strong performance and apparent team cohesion put them in a favorable position for the upcoming battles, while Berlin Thunder struggles to maintain momentum due to internal and external challenges. Both teams have their work cut out for them in the coming games, and victory could swing the pendulum in their favor.
[6] It's worth noting that these player concerns and potential issues within the Berlin Thunder team represent unofficial information that may not be reflective of the entire organization's state.
Bonus Tidbit:
Stacking up history, Rhein Fire's Marius Kensys made a play that will go down in ELF history when he hit the game-winning field goal against the Vienna Vikings last Saturday. This remarkable kick catapulted the team to an unexpected victory and solidified their standing as a force to be reckoned with.
"In the upcoming games against Berlin Thunder, the Vikings aim to regain their home record, as the loss to Rhein Fire was a rare setback in their undefeated history at home in the European League of Football."
"With more polishing needed in the passing game and vulnerable areas such as the defensive line and wide receivers, the Vikings offense under Fred Armstrong's leadership looks to shine once again, especially with football serving as a opportunity to bounce back from their recent defeat."
