On 22 March 2021, the Berlin Thunder were announced as one of the eight teams to play in the inaugural season of the European League of Football.[1][2] Their first game was against the Leipzig Kings on 20 June 2021, which they lost 27 to 37 at home.[3][4][5] The rest of the 2021 season was not going to be successful either, with the only wins coming from games against the Stuttgart Surge, last of the league, and against Barcelona Dragons at home, which also struggled. Nevertheless, the team faced adversity regarding practice facilities, equipment, injuries and more. Several domestic players emerged as fan favorites, like tight end Nicolai Schumann and defensive back Moritz Thiele.[6] The NFL IPP Program also awarded Thunder defensive linemen Adedayo Odeleye an international spot with the Houston Texans.[7] After the 2021 season the contract of head coach Jag Bal wasn't extended.[8]
The first team and staff members of the 2021 season
On September 12, 2021 it was announced that former NFL 1st-round draft pick Björn Werner became co-owner and director of football operations of the franchise.[9] Shortly after, then general manager Heiko von Glahn left the franchise and was succeeded by the first female general manager of the league, Diana Hoge.[10] With the announcement of the new head coach Johnny Schmuck, all important positions in the Berlin front office have been changed.[11] The main goal of the restructures was, to build an domestic staff and to be able to coach all year around.
The result in the 2022 season was a positive record with 7 wins and 5 losses, finishing second of the Northern Conference behind rival Hamburg Sea Devils. The offensive production increased in total passing and rushing yard, giving them a chance to reach the 4-team play-offs till the end of the regular season. With the loss against the Tirol Raiders at home, they came short of this milestone. On the bright side, individual performances of Kyle Kitchens with a record 16 sacks and winning the Defensive Player Of The Year award, as well as Joc Crawford rushing for 1.088 yards total, stood out.
For the 2023 ELF season, only few changes occurred in the staff. With Henry Schlegel being promoted from Head of Scouting and Analytics to offensive coordinator, he became the youngest coordinator in the league.[12] With a new quarterback in Donovan Isom, a new WR1 in Aaron Jackson and no US-imported running back, the offense had a different scheme.[13]
As a result, the franchise reached the play-offs for the first time in their history as the 5th seed and 2nd of their conference.[14] In the wildcard round of the 2023 ELF play-offs, the Thunder lost against the Frankfurt Galaxy on the road after a physically tough game due to the summer heat. The game was also cut short, when a player collapsed and a member of the Berlin sideline got hit by a Frankfurt player.[15]
In their first season, the Thunder played the first two home games at Amateurstadion Olympiapark, and the other three at Friedrich-Ludwig-Jahn-Sportpark. From the 2022 season on, the Jahn-Sportpark-Stadium is their venue for home games.[16] The Sportpark, with its several fields, also functions as their practise ground during the year.
At the end of 2023, the stadium is going to be substantially renovated, which shouldn't disturb the day-to-day operations.
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