The expansion Nordic Storm opened their European League of Football era with a dominant 56-12 victory over the Helvetic Mercenaries on May 18, but have announced that they lost star running back Glen Toonga to a season-ending ruptured Achilles.
In-game injury
Toonga, the 2024 ELF MVP and the Rhein Fire’s former rushing leader, went down during a second-quarter carry. Despite walking off unaided, the 28-year-old did not return. He had rushed for 114 yards and a touchdown before suffering the injury.
Rumors had been swirling after he was seen wearing a protective boot on the sideline. Unconfirmed reports of a full Achilles rupture also gathered momentum after Rhein Fire tackle Sven Breidenbach’s discussion on the “ELF Game Time” podcast.
The Storm confirmed the injury in a press release.
Owner and Interim GM Michael Planeta elaborates on what it means to lose a player like Toonga:
“Losing Glen for the season is not just sad for the Nordic Storm, it’s sad for the entire league. Glen is a great football player and everyone in the league respects him and in part fears him for what he brings on game day. For us as a team the loss is not just on the field, it is also in the locker room, because as fierce a player as he is on the field he is an even more fierce team mate. Losing the 2024 league MVP will no matter how you look at it be a big blow to any team”
Impact on Storm
Toonga’s absence would leave a gaping hole for the Copenhagen-based franchise. The British RB, who rushed for 926 yards (2023) and 1,576 yards and 30 touchdowns (2024) with Rhein earning him ELF MVP honors, was central to Nordic’s offensive blueprint. Nevertheless, Danish running back Anton Witmeur did not disappoint when stepping in for Toonga in the second half, rushing for 106 yards and one touchdown on 11 carries.
Plantera again:
“Overcoming the loss is a part of football, whether it be an injury or a game. We rarely go through life or football without experiencing loss, how you adapt, bend, overcome and rise up is what defines character. I have no doubt that all of his teammates and coaches will do their absolute best to come together and do everything in their power to make him proud and if possible bring him a trophy. Glen won’t be the league MVP this year, but we as a team can be his MVP for 2025 by showing him what we can and will do to make him proud”
Uncertain recovery
Achilles injuries typically require 9-12 months of rehab, jeopardizing Toonga’s 2026 return.