The BIG6 European Football League ( BIG6 ) was a European Cup style tournament for European American football teams. Originally organized by the EFAF (European Federation of American Football), the tournament had been run by the German Football League International since 2015. The final game of the BIG6 was called the EFL Bowl from 2014-2018. Previously the final game of the European Football League was called the Eurobowl and had been held annually since 1986 to 2014.
16-552: In 2014, the newly created BIG6 European Football League was introduced as the new top-tier competition of American football in Europe, replacing the old European Football League (EFL). The EFL continued to be played as a second-tier competition, with its teams now playing for the newly created EFL Bowl trophy instead of the Eurobowl . The BIG6 initially consisted of three teams from Germany, two from Austria and one from Switzerland,
32-454: 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
48-598: 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. This relegation game never happened. Every team in
64-821: The American football leagues in Europe. The tournament featured the top or champion clubs from each countries top league that was called the European Football League (EFL). The first Eurobowl final was played in 1986 in Amsterdam. After 2014, it was known as the BIG6 European Football League (BIG6). Before 2014, the Eurobowl was the final championship game of the European Football League. The last BIG6
80-1003: The Milano Seamen (Italy) and one team from Berlin (either founding members Berlin Adler or the Berlin Rebels ) to join the league for the new season. However, Carlstad's participation was vetoed by the Swedish American Football Federation. On 1 February 2017, it was announced that the Amsterdam Crusaders, the Badalona Dracs (Spain), the Berlin Rebels, the Frankfurt Universe, the Milano Seamen and
96-577: 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
112-419: The EFL Bowl was introduced as the new final game of the EFL. The 2018 EFL season was the last edition of the tournament. 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
128-462: 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. For a list of champions by year before 2014, see Eurobowl . Eurobowl The Eurobowl, first played in 1986, was the championship final game of a tournament style playoff to determine the champion of all of
144-437: The European Football League had to publish its 60-man roster. After that no player can be added. Every game day the teams have to nominate an EFAF active game day roster, which is limited to 45 players with a maximum of 3 active Americans as defined USA, Canadian, Mexican or Japanese passport holders. These three players may all be on the field at the same time. Until 2013, EFL teams were split into 4 divisions of 3 or 2 teams. In
160-669: The New Yorker Lions would be the six teams to compete in the 2017 BIG6 European Football League. From 2017 on, the last placed team of the BIG6 may have to play a relegation game against the winners of the EFL Bowl , and be relegated to the EFL if they lose. So far, this rule was never applied. For the 2018 season, which was the league's last, the BIG6 was reduced to four teams. For a list of champions by year (1986-2018), see Eurobowl . European Football League The European Football League ( EFL ) established in 1986,
176-872: The Schwäbisch Hall Unicorns in the last group match to advance to Eurobowl XXX against the New Yorker Lions. In the final in Innsbruck, the Lions defeated the Raiders 35–21. Before the 2017 season, both Austrian clubs left the BIG6. Aside from founding members New Yorker Lions, the league's management invited the Amsterdam Crusaders (Netherlands), the Carlstad Crusaders (Sweden), the Frankfurt Universe (Germany),
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#1732775528924192-782: The clubs being Berlin Adler , New Yorker Lions , Dresden Monarchs , Raiffeisen Vikings Vienna , Swarco Raiders Tirol and the Calanda Broncos . The Berlin Adler became inaugural BIG6 champions, defeating fellow German club New Yorker Lions 20–17 in Eurobowl XXVIII. For the 2015 season, Dresden and the Calanda Broncos were replaced by the Schwäbisch Hall Unicorns (Germany) and the La Courneuve Flash (France), making La Courneuve
208-528: The first team from outside of German-speaking Europe to enter the competition. In Eurobowl XXIX, the New Yorker Lions defeated fellow German club Schwäbisch Hall Unicorns 24–14. For the 2016 season, the Flash were replaced by fellow French club Aix-en-Provence Argonautes . The 2016 season saw the first time that a non-German team survived the group stage when the Swarco Raiders Tirol knocked out
224-430: 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
240-507: Was a tournament for the best European American football teams affiliated to IFAF (International Federation of American Football - Europe), which replaced the European Federation of American Football (EFAF) in 2014. 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
256-466: Was played in 2018. The last Eurobowl was played on 8 June 2019 without any playoff league competition prior to the game. The Potsdam Royals beat the Amsterdam Crusaders 62–12. With six titles, the New Yorker Lions from Braunschweig are the leading team in Eurobowl wins. The Vienna Vikings have the most appearances at 10, and winning five Eurobowl championship finals. Every team in
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