Flensburg Sealords: Championship title and comeback after the crisis!

Flensburg Sealords: Championship title and comeback after the crisis!

What excitement in Flensburg! The Flensburg Sealords, the American football team from PSV Flensburg, have fought their way back into the game after a difficult time. A few years ago, the team was on the verge of collapse due to pandemic-related difficulties and a lack of players, coaches and supporters. In the 2024 season, the Sealords entered the race with high hopes and a newfound solidarity.

The enthusiasm for football has visibly increased this season after the people of Flensburg were finally able to watch American football again. The start was a bit bumpy: the opening game against the Ostholstein Vikings was lost. But that was to be the only defeat of the season. An impressive winning streak followed with exciting encounters, including a thrilling duel against the Hamburg Wild Tigers, which the Sealords won 21:20. At the end of the season, the team reached the final, which they won with a clear 30-7 victory and celebrated the championship and promotion to the next league. These successes are a testament to the tireless commitment of experienced players as well as new faces and committed supporters in the background, all of which together convey a clear message: Passion and team spirit are very important here!

A new beginning for the Sealords

This season the Sealords managed to win exciting games, including two clear wins against the Schwarzenbek Wolves (44:6 and 38:7) and another success against the second team Hamburg Huskies with 35:12 on June 12th. Despite a serious defeat against the Hamburg Black Swans (8:84), the team was able to secure second place in the table. The return of quarterback Matthias Leder, who played for the Kiel Baltic Hurricanes in the GFL in the past, is unfortunately faced with a career change that forces him to leave the team.

The Flensburg Sealords have a squad of 47 active players who are already looking at the next challenges. On August 27th, fans can look forward to an exciting game against the Kiel Baltic Hurricanes II. The return of the Hamburg Black Swans to Flensburg will certainly be a highlight for the fans.

American football in a historical context

American football has been part of the German sports landscape since 1945, introduced by US occupying soldiers. Since then, the sport has continued to develop. The American Football Association of Germany (AFVD) is the central organization for this dynamic sport, which has become increasingly popular in recent decades. Today the association has around 33,000 members, making it the tenth largest sports association in the field of team sports in Germany. The beginnings of American football in this country date back to the 1970s, when the first German clubs were founded.

There is a long history of Gutenberg viewer interest, which peaked through great successes and experiences in the 1990s, such as the Frankfurt Galaxy in the World League of American Football (WLAF). The founding and activities of the first German national team, which began in the 1980s, also contributed significantly to the popularity of the sport. Despite some setbacks, such as the dissolution of NFL Europe in 2007 or the decline in viewership since 2002, American football remains an up-and-coming sport in Germany.

For everyone who is interested in this exciting sport, there are current offers and opportunities to get involved with PSV Flensburg. Training sessions take place on Mondays and Wednesdays from 7:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., while youth training for children ages 9 and up is offered on Wednesdays and Fridays. Anyone interested can contact Melanie Möller or Volker Leder and be part of this exciting journey in Flensburg football!