The Czech American Football Association (ČAAF) and the ELF team Prague Lions have signed a cooperation agreement expressing their shared interest in the joint and coordinated development of American football in the Czech Republic. As part of this agreement, both parties have agreed on the approach to player transfers and the calculation of compensation.

Statement from ČAAF Chairman Radim Kroulik:

"I dare say this is a unique case in Europe. Both we and the representatives of the Lions understand that we can only achieve the best results together. Any discord weakens and harms football in the Czech Republic. At the same time, compromises must be found to ensure all parties are satisfied—whether it be ČAAF clubs, the Lions, players, coaches, and, of course, all fans and the entire American football community in the Czech Republic.

Since the ELF and its teams do not fall under existing structures such as the IFAF, it was necessary to create a predictable and coordinated environment for player transfers. ČAAF clubs invest significant resources and effort into developing young players, and it is only logical that when these players move to another team, there should be compensation that allows further youth development. On the other hand, the Lions need high-quality Czech players to build a long-term competitive team in the ELF, and through this agreement, they will actively contribute to the development of youth categories in the Czech Republic.

The ambitions of this collaboration go beyond just player transfers. ČAAF and the Lions will work together on additional projects aimed at increasing the level of play and boosting the popularity of American football in the Czech Republic.

At the ČAAF autumn assembly, I stated that I would stand up for the interests of American football as a whole. The Prague Lions represent Czech football in the ELF, just as the Prague Black Panthers represent Czech American football in the AFL. The essential foundation of the entire football movement is the ČAAF clubs, which sustain American football from the high-profile Snapbacks League to all other leagues and competitions at every level. Without them, the sport could not function. Additionally, we have a strong and growing community of NFL fans."

https://www.caaf.cz/?path=zpravy/2826-caaf-a-elf-tym-prague-lions-se-dohodli-na-kooperaci.html

I have added a venues column to our schedule and entered the already known venues:

https://elfpedia.eu/ELF_2025_Schedule

I have also drawn all the (already known) venues on a map:

https://www.google.com/maps/d/embed?mid=1yHMoWx6d4-Smf_r2CDFG1kfXT-xM9Es&hl=en&ehbc=2E312F

I will add more information to the info pop-up on the map tomorrow

You can switch the display mode at the bottom left, e.g. to plan a route

Welcome to our Free Talk Friday Thread where you can talk about whatever you'd like!

Want to talk about life? Got something cool you want to show the community? Share pictures of your cat? This is the right place for it! You can of course still talk about Football & everything that might not justify its own thread :)

We will not enforce rule 4 in this thread so you can also talk about politics - just keep it civil!

​

This thread is posted every week on Friday.

He is the fourth e-import of the Vienna Vikings. All of these 4 E-imports are Finns.

Karri Pajarinen (RB)
Tony Koskinen (OT)
Timi Kristian Nuikka (LB)
Elmeri Laalo (CB)

Due to contractual disagreements with his former team, WR Aaron Jackson will not play for the Helvetic Mercenaries next season as he has been released. He will not play in the ELF in 2025!

Wow.

https://europeanleague.football/news/elf-and-dazn-agree-multi-year-global-broadcast-deal-2905

This also has a direct impact, as the two DBs Goran Zec & Aleksandar Borković (both Serbia) are no longer E-Imports for the Fehérvár Enthroners, but count as homegrown players-

DE Karlis Brauns (Latvia) now counts as HG for the Panthers Wrocław

https://elfpedia.eu/ELF_player_status#Homegrown_players

https://preview.redd.it/4bahy775eyfe1.jpg?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=db8ea9037438a6621730590fcb0053ceec8603db

I would like to hear some opinions on Bouah to Fire, especially after announcing he will play in the Italian League as well. Probably leaving before the ELF Season starts but that’s a hell lot of games to play back to back for him

Welcome to Rookie Wednesday! Here you can ask any question about the European League of Football or just American Football in general.

You are new to the ELF and have some questions about the league? You are new to American Football and have some questions about how it's played? Feel free to ask anything you want!

There are no dumb or "wrong" questions!

​

This thread will be posted every 2 weeks on a Wednesday!

You can leave your feedback for the league - criticism, praise, whatever you like - in this thread!

It's important that you keep the following in mind:

• The way you voice your criticism should not be emotionally loaded and should definitely not be aggressive. Comments that are worded like that will removed.
• Voice your criticism decent, factual and informative - if you point out what you don't like also add the reason. That way you give the league the chance to work with your feedback.

​

This thread will be posted in a 2 week rythm.

Today's final import signing was SS Lautaro Frecha (Argentina, 2024: Dragons)

Their import class:

https://preview.redd.it/zv5yhgil4dfe1.png?width=709&format=png&auto=webp&s=238b772a3d9ec8e2bf8e6b2a617c59f5d4843310

Most people thought he would be the replacement for Toonga at Rhein Fire.

I think Surge wants to get back to the final this year, which is fittingly taking place in Stuttgart.

With today's signing of Dutch TE Robin Merjenburgh (2024: Cologne Centurions), the Panthers Wroclaw have become the first team in the league to fill all 10 import slots.

Here's their current roster:

https://preview.redd.it/l5pgwmv9n4fe1.png?width=708&format=png&auto=webp&s=5bd6b95413c497a85a9708b64154bbfc5c029fc0

I just read a post from a journalist who was at the press conference. Gives me at least a little bit of hope.

Translation: During the kickoff press conference for the ELF final in Stuttgart, Commissioner Patrick Esume confirmed to me that the Cologne Centurions will definitely be taking part. The necessary information will be presented soon by the franchise.

Welcome to our Free Talk Friday Thread where you can talk about whatever you'd like!

Want to talk about life? Got something cool you want to show the community? Share pictures of your cat? This is the right place for it! You can of course still talk about Football & everything that might not justify its own thread :)

We will not enforce rule 4 in this thread so you can also talk about politics - just keep it civil!

​

This thread is posted every week on Friday.

After most people here spoke out in favor of banning Twitter from this sub, this has now been implemented.

We also discussed it in the mod team and came to the same conclusion.

How does this work?

Link posts

If you create a link post that contains a link associated with Twitter, you will receive a message that this does not work. It is therefore not possible to send such a post.

https://preview.redd.it/2i6u9naklree1.png?width=600&format=png&auto=webp&s=9e0674d655d801ff64f4c9ab73cf9c4670b59d7b

Normal posts

You can write and send normal posts as usual. If there is a link associated with Twitter, a script will remove your post and send you a private message that looks like this.

Replies to posts

See “normal posts” - the functionality is the same.

https://preview.redd.it/f1v3c4kllree1.png?width=796&format=png&auto=webp&s=684cf0db6c7d5038c20438d6f4325aa018b97008

How do I still post a message that only exists on X/Twitter?

Take a screenshot and post it, that's fine.

What about Instagram and others?

As long as posts can be accessed without an account, they are not on our blacklist. We keep an eye on current developments and react if necessary.

I’m looking at the schedule and it says that every game will kickoff at the same time every week, is this true?! Would like to be able to watch more than one game a week live!

Here we go - just 1 team left w/o any signing...

Check all roster moves: https://elfpedia.eu/2024/25_ELF_Offseason_Tracker

All current rosters: https://elfpedia.eu/2025_ELF_rosters

https://preview.redd.it/ssxg7l9mdlee1.png?width=702&format=png&auto=webp&s=a583a981dab7daa81ba24f21f3056ef9142d52bb

Hundreds of subs (even r/nfl could make this decision) are banning links to X/Twitter atm.

I think that's a very good thing and I think we should do the same, especially as there are also technical reasons for banning these links to X/Twitter, because without an account you can't read the posts.

People would then simply have to attach a screenshot with the message instead of a link to Twitter. This has the same level of information and doesn't force others to visit this platform and create an account.

We've had our ELF bubble on Bluesky for a while now, see:

https://elfpedia.eu/Why_ELFpedia_Is_Moving_from_Twitter_to_Bluesky

There is also a starter package for the NFL on Bluesky, as more and more sports journalists are becoming active there:

https://bsky.app/starter-pack/did:plc:2buz4gf5sew3rdwzbxsvcd4s/3lbuvraefoe23

What do you think about this?

I was wondering today. The league owes many people money. I have friend who is referee in ELF, and he says he hasn't been paid for last season, and probably never will get his money.

And there are rumors that others haven't been paid as well. The replay officials and the replay systems, commentators, TV crews and a lot more people are still waiting for very much money.

Don't the teams know that? Why are they still signing players and coaches, when the league is so far in debts that there is a big chance they will be bankrupt before the season starts?

I don't understand it.

Today the Lions announced their 4th A-import, QB Javarian Smith (2024 Sea Devils).

Javarian Smith QB

Willie Patterson WR

Ja'Len Embry DB

Ken Hike Jr. DB

That looks really good to me, all of them have ELF experience and they go with the “meta” for the first time - so QB/WR/2x DB

They also announced the first signing of a Prague Black Panthers player yesterday with D-Liner Jonáš Hlava.

Prague Lions roster so far: https://elfpedia.eu/Prague_Lions#2025_Roster

Your opinions?

As an American trying to get into ELF, I came across the Firenze Guelfi and noticed that their symbol is the same fleur de lis of my city (New Orleans). That makes them a likely early candidate for me to be a fan of while I learn more. But my question is: what is a Guelfi or what does that term mean? Google searches return a bunch of nonsense about ancient coins and southern German royalty that might have something to do with it, but I can't seem to work it out. Any help is appreciated.

A few days ago, there was a thread about a report from a German newspaper. See:

https://www.reddit.com/r/elf/comments/1hyte4p/about_the_sea_devils_and_their_payment_behavior/

The newspaper has now published a follow-up report (in German, paywalled):

https://www.ln-online.de/sport/regional/football-unbezahlte-rechnungen-neue-vorwuerfe-gegen-die-hamburg-sea-devils-Z2JNPHO35RGGBMDKXCEUD6R4PI.html

The unpaid security company is quoted in the article:

"After our inquiries and reminders went unanswered and we could not reach anyone by phone, we handed over our claim from the game in Lübeck to a debt collection agency. A court ruling has been obtained. Our claim amounts to €12,189.94."

Another security firm is also still waiting to be paid—dating back to 2023. They are quoted as saying:

"We have documented our claims in court and obtained a ruling." The claim involves a five-figure sum. Similar to the Lübeck case, the Sea Devils reportedly failed to respond to reminders before legal action was taken.

Additionally, new allegations have emerged concerning irregularities in the team’s online shop. Several customers have filed complaints against the franchise and the league for online fraud.

The balance sheet for the 2023 season was also published a few days ago

https://www.unternehmensregister.de/ureg/result.html;jsessionid=93EBC9D50C9192CE369B93B550B23204.web03-1?submitaction=showDocument&id=35228818

Key Points from the Balance Sheet (2023 vs. 2022):

• Revenue situation: The Sea Devils reported a loss of €196,276 in 2023. Although this is an improvement compared to the €606,452 loss in 2022, the franchise remains far from profitability.
• Debt levels: Total liabilities increased significantly, rising from €1.21 million in 2022 to €2.14 million in 2023. Long-term liabilities make up the majority of this debt, growing from €783,000 to €1.36 million. This indicates that the organization is increasingly reliant on external funding.
• Assets: On the positive side, cash reserves improved substantially, increasing from €5,172 in 2022 to €77,689 in 2023, suggesting better liquidity. Furthermore, inventories grew from €66,880 to €76,731, which could indicate higher merchandise stock for potential sales.
• Equity position: The Sea Devils’ equity remains negative, with a deficit of €1.39 million, up from €1.2 million in 2022. This reflects the cumulative effect of past and current losses, highlighting the financial instability of the franchise.

Conclusion

The financial situation of the Hamburg Sea Devils paints a concerning picture. While there are signs of improved cash flow and a reduced yearly loss, the organization continues to struggle under mounting debts and a growing equity deficit. Recent allegations, such as unpaid service providers and issues with the online shop, further undermine confidence in the franchise's financial management.