By John Mahnen
The Vienna Vikings and Stuttgart Surge collide in the 2025 ELF Championship Game at Stuttgart’s MHP Arena, with Vienna seeking redemption after last year’s title loss and Stuttgart aiming to capitalize on a historic “home finale.”
Why this one hits different
It’s Vienna’s third final in four seasons (champions in 2022, runners-up in 2024) and Stuttgart’s second (after 2023)—but this time Stuttgart gets the “Finale dahoim”: a title shot in their own city and stadium. The league has turned the weekend into a full festival (Power Party, Experience Day, Honors), but both staffs are downplaying the pageantry. Vienna is keeping a strict away-game routine; Stuttgart is preaching emotion control at home.
Coaches & continuity
Close friends turned finals foils: Chris Calaycay (Vikings) and Jordan Neuman (Surge). Neuman was Calaycay’s OC in Vienna from 2011–2013 and the mutual respect is real—but they’ve gone quiet this week. Both are long-tenured builders, and both believe routine beats noise when the stakes peak. (League background confirms the Sept 7 final at the MHP Arena.
Form & numbers (2025, regular season)
- Stuttgart Surge: 517 points scored (No. 1), 193 allowed (elite) — 43.1 ppg for / 16.1 ppg against.
- Vienna Vikings: 463 points scored, 232 allowed — 38.6 / 19.3.
- QB watch (Vienna): Ben Holmes — 2,787 pass yards, 40 TD / 5 INT
Key matchups
- Reece Horn (VIK) vs. Raheem Simiram-Wilson (SSG)
- Chain-moving artist vs. travel CB. If Vienna steals early leverage and spacing for Horn, Holmes stays in phase; if Stuttgart glues Raheem to the hot hand, red-zone math tilts.
- Vienna rush (Lucky Ogbevoen / Florian Sudi & co.) vs. Stuttgart interior (led by Alessandro Vergani)
- Vienna’s front wins with stunts and second effort; Stuttgart’s interior communication (Vergani) must keep the pocket firm to unlock shots and RPO rhythm. (All-Stars on both sides.)
- Hidden yards: K Timo Bronn (SSG) vs. Vikings’ ST operation
- Bronn’s first-team nod matters in a one-score script. Vienna’s detail on snaps/holds/coverage has been an emphasis all week. One blocked kick or pin inside the 10 is a possession swing.
How Vienna wins
- Protect the ball, finish drives. Last year’s 51–20 loss was a turnover/short-field clinic—avoid the giveaways and stack red-zone 7s.
- Lean on Holmes’ efficiency. 40/5 TD-INT keeps the call sheet on schedule and the pass rush honest.
- Front-four heat without selling the farm. If Ogbevoen/Sudi win with four or simulated pressure, the secondary can stay two-high on money.
- Routine > spectacle. Travel Saturday, skip Honors, script halftime—minimize variables, maximize execution
How Stuttgart wins
- Jump-start Riley Hennessy. Quick rhythm + QB keepers near the goal line; the offense tends to surge when he’s in tempo.
- Cash the red-zone trips. Take the points; build the lead; make Vienna chase left-handed.
- Let Raheem travel. Shadow Vienna’s hot WR (Horn/Touré/Mayr) and force Holmes elsewhere.
- Crowd as multiplier, not distraction. The real edge is a normal week at home; the roar amplifies the execution you already have.
X-factors
- Noise & ops. Both teams have silent/non-verbal answers ready; early false starts or sloppy operation will reveal who handled it better.
- Surface & footing. Hybrid turf can get slick; the first few cuts will tell the story on verticals and outside zone.
- Halftime length. Longer break = more true adjustment time. Expect a different picture on each side’s first second-half series.
All-Stars to watch (Championship participants)
- Vienna Vikings — 1st Team: WR Reece Horn; OT Lukas Holub; OG David Rauter; DT Florian Sudi; Pass Rusher Lucky Ogbevoen; CB Amani Dennis. 2nd Team: TE Florian Bierbaumer; LB Noel Swancar.
- Stuttgart Surge — 1st Team: OG Alessandro Vergani; K Timo Bronn. 2nd Team: WR Louis Geyer; CB Raheem Simiram-Wilson.
How to watch
Free TV/Streams (local): ProSieben / ran.de / Joyn (DE); Puls 24 / Joyn AT / ORF/ORF Sport+ (AT); additional carriers include Polsat (PL) and O2 Sport (CZ). Global: DAZN ELF Game Pass. Kick at 15:00 CEST.
The call
Everything points to a one-score fourth quarter. If Vienna stays clean and keeps Holmes in phase, the Vikings’ big-game muscle memory travels. If Stuttgart’s protection holds and Bronn banks the hidden points, the “Finale dahoim” script is there. Edge? Coin-flip: Vienna by a whisker because this is what the Vikings are built to do. From catered meals at practice to the charter flight to Stuttgart, the Vikings have been built to win this Championship. Notwithstanding Coach Calaycay’s comments that last year’s game it not a not a factor – it is – and expect the core of the Vikings to atone for the dramatic defeat last year.