The American Football League Europe era opened in Vienna on Saturday evening, but the league’s first game quickly became less of a showcase of parity than a reminder of where the Vienna Vikings still sit in the European football hierarchy.
Dominant Performance
Behind a ruthless rushing attack, a clean performance from quarterback Ben Holmes and a suffocating defensive effort, the Vikings overwhelmed the Berlin Thunder 49–7 at Wiener-Sport-Club-Stadion, giving AFLE its first official result and Vienna its first win of the 2026 season. The game was played in front of 3,821 fans, with the Vikings outgaining Berlin 516–296 and controlling the most important downs all afternoon.
Coaching Success
For head coach Chris Calaycay, offensive coordinator Jordan Neuman and defensive coordinator Daniel Auböck, this was about as convincing a league debut as Vienna could have scripted. The Vikings’ official staff lists Calaycay as head coach, Neuman as offensive coordinator and Auböck as defensive coordinator, and all three fingerprints were visible: Vienna was balanced, multiple and physical on offense, while the defense made Berlin one-dimensional for long stretches.
Struggles for Berlin
Berlin head coach Shawn Cooper, offensive coordinator John Shannon and defensive coordinator Raul Saavedra had a much harder first night in the new league. The Thunder arrived with a proven quarterback in Jakeb Sullivan and a dangerous target in Jon Cole, but after an opening that suggested Berlin might compete, the game slipped away with alarming speed. Cooper’s team finished with only 44 rushing yards, committed 118 penalty yards and allowed Vienna to convert 8 of 11 third downs.
First Touchdown in AFLE History
The Vikings struck first when Holmes found Darrell Stewart Jr. for a 12-yard touchdown pass in the first quarter. Dennis Tasic added the extra point, and Vienna had the first touchdown in AFLE history. From there, the second quarter became a statement period. Holmes scored on a nine-yard run, Karri Pajarinen powered in from two yards out, and Holmes added a one-yard touchdown run to push the lead to 28–0 by halftime.
Impressive Variety
The variety was the most impressive part. Holmes did not need to chase numbers, finishing 16 of 25 for 156 yards and a touchdown through the air, but he controlled the game and added two rushing touchdowns. The Vikings’ running game did the heavy lifting, producing 258 yards on the ground. Albert Wiesigstrauch led the way with 136 yards and a touchdown on 12 carries, while Pajarinen and Johannes Schütz also found the end zone.
Third Quarter Action
Schütz’s 10-yard touchdown run in the third quarter made it 35–0, and by then the game had long since become a question of whether Berlin could avoid a shutout. Vienna’s defensive front and second-level pursuit kept Thunder running back Tomiwa Oyewo to 23 yards on six carries, forcing Sullivan into a volume passing game. Sullivan completed 23 of 37 passes for 255 yards and one touchdown, but most of Berlin’s production came after the outcome had been decided.
Bright Spots for Berlin
There was at least one bright spot for Berlin: Cole looked every bit like the elite receiving weapon the Thunder hoped he would be. He caught eight passes for 136 yards and scored Berlin’s only touchdown, a 41-yard connection from Sullivan in the fourth quarter. Kosi Onyeka also showed up defensively with 10 total tackles, a reflection both of his activity and of how often Vienna’s offense was getting to the second level.
Depth of Vienna
But the larger story was Vienna’s depth. After Wiesigstrauch scored on a 14-yard run early in the fourth quarter and Cole answered for Berlin, backup quarterback Nico Hrouda joined the scoring parade with a 58-yard touchdown pass to Noah Toure. Toure finished with two catches for 89 yards and a score, giving Vienna another explosive element in an already lopsided opener.
Conclusion
For the AFLE, the first game delivered atmosphere, television presence and a recognizable heavyweight winner. For Vienna, it confirmed the Vikings as an immediate title favorite. For Berlin, it raised uncomfortable questions. The Thunder have enough skill talent to be better than this, but Cooper’s staff will need fast answers up front, in the run game and in overall discipline. A 49–7 opening-night loss does not define a season, but in a short inaugural campaign, it leaves very little room for slow corrections.
Scoring Summary
First Quarter
VIK – Darrell Stewart Jr. 12 pass from Ben Holmes, Dennis Tasic kick. Vienna 7, Berlin 0.
Second Quarter
VIK – Ben Holmes 9 run, Tasic kick. Vienna 14, Berlin 0.
VIK – Karri Pajarinen 2 run, Tasic kick. Vienna 21, Berlin 0.
VIK – Ben Holmes 1 run, Tasic kick. Vienna 28, Berlin 0.
Third Quarter
VIK – Johannes Schütz 10 run, Tasic kick. Vienna 35, Berlin 0.
Fourth Quarter
VIK – Albert Wiesigstrauch 14 run, Tasic kick. Vienna 42, Berlin 0.
BTH – Jon Cole 41 pass from Jakeb Sullivan, Nils Schauerte kick. Vienna 42, Berlin 7.
VIK – Noah Toure 58 pass from Nico Hrouda, Tasic kick. Vienna 49, Berlin 7.