The Panthers Wroclaw are an American football team in Wrocław , Poland , which was merged from Giants Wrocław and Devils Wrocław (both founded in 2005). They currently play in the newly formed European League of Football since 2021.
13-561: In the past, they played in domestic leagues PLFA until 2017 and in the LFA (2018–2020); and in international leagues IFAF Europe Champions League (2016) and CEFL (2017–2019). For the 2021 season they announced their intention to participate in the European League of Football that plans to hold its inaugural season that year. The team was founded in 2013 by a merger of two PLFA teams, Giants Wrocław and Devils Wrocław . In 2014,
26-513: A game played in Warsaw. From that moment on, teams began to be established in different parts of the country. The Polish American Football League started in October 2006 with just 4 teams. There were 9 teams competing for the second championship in 2007. In 2008, the league split into two divisions - PLFA I (8 teams) and PLFA II (9 teams). There were 22 teams competing for the 2009 season and 21 for
39-626: A one-year delay. For example, 2011 NCAA game rule changes was adopted for 2012 PLFA season . Before 2012, coaches, players and officials used the English-language NCAA Rulebook. In February 2012, the Rulebook was translated into Polish by the Officiating Department chairman. Liga Futbolu Ameryka%C5%84skiego The American Football League ( Polish : Liga Futbolu Amerykańskiego , PFA)
52-524: A regular season, the top four teams qualify for the play-offs (1st place against 4th place and 2nd against 3rd) and the Semi-Final winners meet in the championship game called SuperFinal ; there is no 3rd place game. The 2012 Super-Final championship game drew 23,000 fans. Playing rules are based on those of the NCAA College football with minor modifications, e.g.: Rules are adopted with
65-727: A white jersey with dark blue letters and numbers that have orange outlines. Players wear white socks, black helmets with a panther head logo, and black pants to all games. Reference Running backs Wide receivers Tight ends Defensive linemen Defensive backs Special teams Rookies in italics Roster updated November 22, 2023 4 A-import , 10 E-import, 39 homegrown 53 active Front office Head coach Offensive coaches Defensive coaches Special teams coaches updated 14 February 2023 Polish American Football League The Polish American Football League or shortly PLFA ( Polish : Polska Liga Futbolu Amerykańskiego )
78-720: The 2017 season , there was a split in Polish American football, 20 clubs left the PLFA and founded a new league, the Liga Futbolu Amerykańskiego or shortly LFA . American football is arguably the fastest growing sport in Poland, which appeared in Poland in 1999, when a pioneer initiative was established in Warsaw . The Polish American Football Association ( Polish : Polski Związek Futbolu Amerykańskiego or PZFA )
91-596: The 2010 season. 2011- 34 teams, 2012- 42 teams, and 2013- 74 teams. The regular season in the Topliga starts in March/April and ends in June/July. Each team plays nine games competing against every other team in the division (4 or 5 home games and 5 or 4 away games). A team is awarded two points for a win, one point for a tie, and zero points for a loss (a tie only occurs if the overtime can not be played). After
104-878: The Topliga regular season entered the playoffs and the winners met in the championship game called the SuperFinał (more commonly known as the Polish Bowl ). The PLFA I championship game was called the PLFA Cup Game. In the 2013 season there were 74 teams in 5 leagues. 57 teams played 11-man football (8 teams in the Topliga, 8 teams in the PLFA I and 21 teams in the PLFA II) and other 37 teams played 8-man football competitions: 20 senior teams and 17 junior teams). The TopLiga and PLFA I are divided into two divisions, PLFA II into three divisions, and PLFA 8 and PLFAJ into five divisions based on geographical reasons. After
117-892: The club played in the Polish Bowl for the first time, where they lost to Seahawks Gdynia . In 2016, the Panthers dominated every game and won their first Championship. The Panthers won the title by defeating Seahawks, 56–13. After the Panthers won also the 2017 Polish Bowl, the team left the Polish American Football League and joined the new Liga Futbolu Amerykańskiego . In first two seasons in LFA, Panthers won every game in regular season, lost Polish Bowl XIII to Lowlanders Białystok 14–13 in 2018 and won Polish Bowl XIV to Lowlanders 28–14 (both final games were played at Wrocław Olympic Stadium). The Panthers also became
130-753: The first Polish team to win the IFAF Europe Champions League . During the COVID-19 lockdown , Jakub Samel was named new head coach of the Panthers Wrocław. He is the first Polish head coach in club history. It was also announced that the club would be one of the first 8 to join the new European League of Football that is set to start in June 2021. The Panthers Wrocław's Panther blue home jersey has black numbers, letter outlines and vertical stripes on opposite sides. The away kit consists of
143-709: Was a structured system for the American football competitions in Poland founded in 2004 by the Polish federation PZFA . In 2012, the Topliga was created as a major league with a bid (invitation) rule. The remaining teams are divided into two leagues ( PLFA I and PLFA II ) between which there was promotion and relegation . There were two eight-man football competitions: PLFA 8 for reserve teams and smaller clubs, and PLFA J for under-17 players. The top four teams from
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#1732801778067156-544: Was an American football league in Poland . Founded in 2017 after a split in the Polish American Football Association . It consisted of 22 teams competing in two conferences, the LFA1 and LFA2. The championship game of the league was the Polish Bowl . In 2021 a new league started with participating both old PLFA and LFA members as Polish Football League . After the 2017 PLFA season, there
169-754: Was created in November 2004, initiated by the first two American football teams: Warsaw Eagles and 1. KFA Wielkopolska. Its founding was a response to the dynamic growth of the American football movement in Poland. The first game between Polish teams (still without professional equipment) was played in December 2005 in Poznań . The first international game, officiated by professionals, was played in March 2006 – The Warsaw Eagles took on Czech team Pardubice Stallions in
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