It’s still two weeks. The new European Football League (EFL) for the Hamburg Sea Devils starts on June 20th. The newly formed football team is very excited. On Saturday, the Sea Devils used one of the last test matches before the season to get in the right mood again.
27 degrees, bright sunshine and a perfectly manicured artificial turf pitch in Hamburg-Bergedorf gave the team around ex-NFL star Kasim Edebali the opportunity to play their game again before the first game of the season against Frankfurt Galaxy. And there was no doubt well before kick-off: The Sea Devils are really up for their comeback. It was 80 minutes until the kick-off when the team, trained by the American Ted Daisher, was already warming up meticulously.
Before the start of the EFL season: The Hamburg Sea Devils test against Berlin Thunder
None of the players minded that the other conditions on site did not give the impression that a team was playing here that is supposed to play in the newly founded EFL in two weeks’ time. Massage benches in the shade on the lawn, uncomfortable beer tent sets to relax – it doesn’t matter. The players never missed an opportunity to push each other.
“It feels so good to be out here with you again,” one yelled. And then there was Edebali. The face of the team, the leader. But he was also in the mood for jokes on Saturday. Edebali was looking forward to the game so much that he ran off without his helmet before warming up and had to turn around again. Then he posed with a smile for the cameramen present. The mood is right with the Sea Devils. And that became clear in the test match against the Berlin Thunder on the field.
Patrick Esume supports the Sea Devils in the test match
The EFL commissioner and TV presenter Patrick Esume, who was also present, gathered the teams at the center line before the start and warned them to be fair – after all, it was really just a test match. A few moments later, however, things really got down to business. The Sea Devils started strong: The US running back Xavier Johnson caught the Berlin Thunder in deep sleep and ran over 80 meters into the end zone – touchdown to 6-0.
The duel rarely had the character of a test match. Instead, the teams fought each other during each play – and afterwards. Bullying is just as much a part of it as scuffling in football. That even Esume himself had to call both coaches to him in the first quarter of the game to calm some of their teams’ squabbles must mean something.
Football: Ex-NFL star Kasim Edebali is still spared
The fact that the game had a lot of fire was not least due to Edebali. The Sea Devils number 91 was spared and could not support the defense on the course. But he still did not lie on the lazy skin.
On the contrary: Edebali was constantly up to date, pushing his colleagues – but at one point also hit something over the ropes: When there was a tough duel in front of the Sea Devils’ coaching zone, Edebali first made faces and then ironically imitated a boxer. That’s just how he is. But the referees only liked it to a certain extent: One of the referees warned coach Daisher to bring his key player to his senses.
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It almost went under that the Thunder had meanwhile equalized. But like half one, half two started perfectly for the Sea Devils. Backup quarterback Salieu Ceesay threw his team to the next touchdown – and back in the front. The mood calmed down a bit as a result, but the game remained at a high level. The Thunder almost spoiled the Sea Devils’ day: Shortly before the final whistle, they reached the end zone for the second time. But when, instead of a certain extra point, they chose the variant of going to victory with another play, the defense of the Sea Devils was able to secure the victory. Enough. 14:13 from the point of view of the North Germans.
Close victory and good vibes: The Sea Devils are ready for the season
Sporty and atmospheric so everything is flawless with the Sea Devils. And in two weeks at the latest, the other conditions will also be right: From now on, the Sea Devils will play in the Hoheluft stadium of SC Victoria Hamburg. So the countdown is on. And the omens for a successful first EFL season could hardly be better. “Anything but a bowl is not a goal. Of course, we want to win the championship, ”said quarterback Ceesay, giving the route for the season.
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