European Football League


The European Football League is a tournament for European American football teams affiliated to IFAF. Until 2013, the final game of the EFL was the Eurobowl, which has been held annually since 1986. In 2014, the EFL was replaced as Europe's top-tier club competition by the new BIG6 European Football League and the EFL Bowl was introduced as the new final game of the EFL.

EFL

Under the governance of EFAF, the best American Football teams in Europe participate in annual competitions. Until 2013, the EFL was the first-tier competition for American football clubs in Europe. EFAF determined the relative strength of each of its 17 affiliate leagues and allocated teams to the 4 divisions accordingly, thus not all nations took part. National league champions, runners-up or teams with international success were eligible for the EFL. Teams from 'weaker' leagues could take part in the EFAF Cup. The final game of the EFL was the Eurobowl, which has been held annually since 1986.
In 2014, the BIG6 European Football League was introduced as the new top-tier competition of American football in Europe. The EFL continued to be played as a second-tier competition, with its teams playing for the newly created EFL Bowl trophy. The inaugural EFL Bowl was won by the Kiel Baltic Hurricanes of Germany against Spain's Badalona Dracs on 20 July 2014.
From 2017 on, the EFL Bowl winners may play a relegation game against the last placed team of the BIG6, and be promoted to the BIG6 if they win.

Format

Until 2013, Teams were split into 4 divisions of 3 or 2 teams. In a division of 3, teams played 2 matches; once at home to one opponent and the other away to the other opponent. In a division of 2 teams, each team played each other home and away. The division winners then advanced to the play-offs.
The play-off format was changed for the 2008 season. The tournament was expanded to an eight-team competition. The two finalists from the 2007 season, Vienna Vikings and Marburg Mercenaries, earned automatic berths for the next season and the two semi-finalists, Eidsvoll 1814's from Norway and Tirol Raiders from Austria, earned a spot for the national champions of their respective countries. In quarterfinals these teams faced the four winners of the divisional round. In semi-finals teams were paired by the Eurobowl seeding system, with the best-seeded team facing the worst and the second-best facing the second-worst. Winners then advanced to the Eurobowl.
With the start of the Big6 in 2014, the format of the EFL changed again. Six teams played in two divisions of three teams. The winners of the groups advanced to the EFL Bowl.

EFL Bowls

For a list of champions by year before 2014, see Eurobowl.
GameYearDateCityWinnersScoRunners-upAttendanceMVP
I201419 July 2014Kiel, GermanyKiel Baltic Hurricanes 40–0Badalona Dracs 2,104Garrett Andrews
II201527 June 2015Kiel, GermanyKiel Baltic Hurricanes 49–28Allgäu Comets 1,752
III201611 June 2016Frankfurt, GermanyFrankfurt Universe 35–21Amsterdam Crusaders 6,056Jesse Lewis
IV201710 June 2017Thonon-les-Bains, FranceThonon Black Panthers 29–20Rhinos Milano 2,500Stephen Yepmo
V20189 June 2018Sesto San Giovanni, ItalyPotsdam Royals 43–42Seamen Milano 2,500Kahlif Rector

Records and statistics

By club

ClubWonRunner-upYears won†Years runner-up†
Vikings Vienna552004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 20132001, 2003, 2008, 2010, 2012
Swarco Raiders Tirol312008, 2009, 20112013
Bergamo Lions332000, 2001, 20021994, 2004, 2005
Hamburg Blue Devils321996, 1997, 19981999, 2000
Amsterdam Crusaders241991, 19921988, 1989, 1993, 2016
Braunschweig Lions211999, 20032002
London Olympians211993, 19941995
Kiel Baltic Hurricanes202014, 2015
Berlin Adler1220101991, 2011
Legnano Frogs1119891990
Potsdam Royals102018
Thonon Black Panthers102017
Frankfurt Universe102016
Calanda Broncos102012
Düsseldorf Panther101995
Manchester Spartans101990
Helsinki Roosters101988
Taft Vantaa101986
La Courneuve Flash031998, 2006, 2009