The Hamburg Sea Devils (1-1) and the Stuttgart Surge (1-1), two original European League of Football franchises, face off at Weserstadion in Bremen on Saturday, May 31, in a pivotal Week 3 matchup. Both teams aim to build momentum after contrasting starts: the Surge opened with a 33-20 home win over the Frankfurt Galaxy before falling 6-0 to the Paris Musketeers, while the Sea Devils rebounded from a last-minute 13-12 loss to the Madrid Bravos with a 28-13 road victory over the Prague Lions.
Quarterback intrigue and offensive adjustments
The Sea Devils’ offense enters a new era with quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa, brother of NFL star Tua Tagovailoa, set to debut. The former Maryland standout, who holds Big Ten passing records, replaces injured starter Micah Leon and backup Moritz Maack. Tagovailoa’s arm talent could elevate Hamburg’s aerial attack, complementing a potent ground game led by Lucas Harting Candido (2 TDs vs. Prague) and Chrisman Kyei (1 TD in each game). The Surge, meanwhile, rely on quarterback Reilly Hennessey’s efficient start (422 passing yards in 2 games) and running back Tomiwa Oyewo’s explosive 167 rushing yards. Wide receiver Louis Geyer (9 receptions, 89 yards) adds reliability to their aerial scheme.
Defensive upgrades and veteran leadership
Hamburg’s defense, anchored by Benjamin Rukundo Mulindahabi (15 tackles) and Nazir Streater (13 tackles, 1 sack), gains strategic depth with new defensive coordinator Bob Valesente. The 84-year-old NFL Europe and German Bowl-winning coach brings decades of experience to a unit allowing just 13.0 points per game. The Surge counter with linebacker Nikolas Knoblauch, whose 18 tackles (2 for loss) spearhead a disciplined front seven.
Surge’s response and playoff stakes
For Stuttgart, Saturday’s game is a chance to prove their Week 2 shutout loss was an anomaly. Head coach Jordan Neuman’s staff must refine red-zone execution after failing to score against Paris. Conversely, the Sea Devils seek to leverage Tagovailoa’s arrival and home-field energy at Weserstadion—a Bundesliga venue offering a “spectacular backdrop” for this foundational rivalry. With both teams eyeing playoff contention, this clash of ELF pioneers could hinge on which squad better balances reinvention and resilience under the Bremen lights.