There is a premiere to look forward to in the eighth game week of the European League of Football: The Helvetic Mercenaries play at the Vienna Vikings for the first time (Sat., 18:00 CET).

On paper, it looks like a clear-cut affair. The Vienna Vikings are 7-0, while the Helvetic Mercenaries are 1-5. The team from Switzerland recorded their first win of the season last week against Milan, but will start with a new coach on Saturday. The Swiss side announced the departure of Head Coach Val Gunn on Wednesday.

Calaycay warns

"We don't take any opponent lightly and always prepare ourselves as well as possible for every single game. The Swiss now have a new OC who has already worked with quarterback Aiken in Poland. On the defensive side of the ball, they have Majo (D-Line) and Falk (LB), the second best in the league in terms of sacks and tackles. I'm convinced the Swiss will bring their A-game," said Vikings Head Coach Chris Calaycay, whose team will do everything in their power to remain unbeaten and take another step towards their goal of winning the conference.

The Vienna Vikings can welcome three new players to the team this week. Offensive lineman Ben Rab has been signed. The experienced O-liner was already part of the successful Vienna team in 2022 and 2023 and will now strengthen the unit of Offence Line Coach Thomas Tippold. Benjamin Schmied, who previously played for the Carinthian Lions, is a new addition to the same unit.

Three new Vikings

The third new Viking in the squad is Elijah Böhm. The Salzburg linebacker finished his season with the Salzburg Ducks last week and will be signed mid-season by the Vikings. 

OLB Leon Balogh will continue to be rested and star Tight End Florian Bierbaumer is still uncertain. "We won't rush into anything. That would be fatal and also unwise in view of the further course of the game plan. It's smart and important that we give our players the time they need to be one hundred per cent fit and ready to go," said Calaycay.