Ffootball fans like action. They get excited when beefy bodies collide. Nevertheless, the rules of sport are complex and contain the antithesis to the thesis. The completed victory is characterized by the fact that in the end only the time is running, but no more players. The quarterback doesn’t open the game with a pass, he ends it by bending the knee. Anyone who started fighting now would be punished by the referee. The “kneeling” minimizes the risk of injury and the risk of making a mistake after all has been decided.
On Sunday afternoon, Moritz Johannknecht, second quarterback of the Frankfurt Galaxy, knelt at a score of 42:8 for his team against the Vienna Vikings. It was the anticlimactic conclusion to an intoxicating game in the European League of Football (ELF). However, he made it clear that, contrary to all realistic expectations, Frankfurt had taught their opponents from Vienna, the high-flyers of the season, a lesson.
Galaxy this time a different class
Neither team had defeated the Vikings in eight previous games. Galaxy was also shown the limits in the first leg and lost 10:30. The Viennese, who came from the Austrian to the European league this season, are considered the big favorites to win the title in their first ELF year.
On this day, however, Frankfurt was in a different class in all respects. Despite the uncanny quality of the opponent, Galaxy seemed to be able to do everything with ease, which has often been so difficult in recent weeks. Here, too, the antithesis seems appropriate: Galaxy actually succeeded in everything, but not despite, but precisely because of the quality of the Vikings.
“Today we were the underdog for the first time since the Galaxy came back,” said Patrick Griesheimer, who coordinates the Galaxy offensive. That freed the team. No outsider expected Galaxy to win this game, at most they were expected to play a tight game, “with luck”. It’s the twisted logic that comes into play again and again in sport: If you seem to have nothing to lose, you can only win – and in some cases you do.
For now, at least, ease is back on Galaxy. Griesheimer said that the team was distinguished by this last season. This season she was only recognizable in phases, mostly the burden of increased expectations after winning the ELF title in September 2021 was overwhelming. Against the Vikings, the possible future champions, Galaxy played in a frenzy from the start. “The boys went onto the field and did their thing and it didn’t matter what plays I called,” said Griesheimer.
At this point, head coach Thomas Kösling intervened in the press conference after the surprising runaway victory, with Griesheimer sitting next to him on the podium. “He’s fine,” said Kösling with a grin about his offensive coordinator. It was a rare expression of serenity in Kösling’s face, which looks done after games above all. After all, game days aren’t for recreation, at least not for football coaches. What is going on in Kösling does not look outward. On the other hand, when he speaks, he is clear. This game was something special for him and his team. “We knew we could make a statement.”
The last-minute victory in Breslau two weeks ago – after being 20 points behind – gave a boost, said Kösling. But that’s what was expected of his team: “They have to win against Wroclaw.” The victory against the Vikings was unexpected and tasted all the sweeter for the head coach and his players.
Only this win is only worth something if the last three games of the regular season are also won. Galaxy currently has six wins and three losses, participation in the play-offs as the best second of the three conferences is still achievable on their own. Next Sunday Galaxy will play away for the last time against Rhein Fire in Duisburg. The rival, with whom the Galaxy once fought exciting duels in NFL Europe, also has a minimal chance of making the play-off with five wins and four losses.
Should the Galaxy prevail against the Rhein Fire, the probably decisive duel against the Raiders Tirol in the stadium on the Bornheimer Hang would then follow. Another success in this game should open the door to the ELF semi-finals, although league competitor Berlin Thunder could also be the best second in the ranking.
In any case, Vienna coach Chris Calaycay expects his team to meet Galaxy again this season, “but then in Vienna”. A possible semi-final between the top-seeded Vikings and then fourth-placed Galaxy would be played in the Austrian capital. One can’t shake the feeling that Calaycay Galaxy will be keeping our fingers crossed for the coming weeks. Now that there’s something to make up against Galaxy.
