A New Flag in the Mountains
May 13, 2022 — a date that made the European League of Football map stretch a little higher, right into the heart of Switzerland.
That’s the day the Helvetic Guards were officially announced — and with them, the Alps suddenly had armor.
Switzerland isn’t exactly the first place people think of when they picture American football. Chocolate, banks, watches, sure — but linebackers? Blitz packages? Touchdowns in Zürich?
The Guards were about to change that.
Backed by Swiss professionalism and German precision, they promised to bring discipline, design, and a bit of mountain grit to the ELF. Their logo — a medieval-style shield — said it all: steady, proud, and built to defend.
Teams 2022
- Berlin Thunder (Berlin)
- Hamburg Sea Devils (Hamburg)
- Leipzig Kings (Leipzig)
- Panthers Wrocław (Wrocław)
- Frankfurt Galaxy (Frankfurt)
- Cologne Centurions (Köln)
- Barcelona Dragons (Reus/Spanien)
- Stuttgart Surge (Stuttgart)
- Rhein Fire (Duisburg)
- Raiders Tirol (Innsbruck)
- Vienna Vikings (Vienna)
- Istanbul Rams
- Milano Seamen
- Fehervar Enthroners
- Helvetic Guards
Guarding a New Frontier
From the start, the project had ambition written all over it. The Guards weren’t just a new team — they were the league’s statement that European football was growing up.
New languages, new cultures, new sponsors, and new fans.
The Zurich-based franchise was led by Norm Chow, a legendary coach from the U.S. college scene, which instantly gave them credibility and swagger. When Chow called plays in the Alps, you could almost hear echoes from Honolulu to Pasadena.
More Than Just a Team
The Guards brought something the ELF desperately needed — Swiss order with a spark of rebellion.
Their colors weren’t just a palette — they were a declaration that football had climbed another mountain.
And when the first whistle blew in 2023, it wasn’t just a game.
It was a signal: the European League of Football had officially gone multinational — and the Guards were standing watch.
