Matt Bressington's 2026 Preseason European American Football All-Euro Team
- Matt Bressington
- 2 days ago
- 8 min read
best way to start a tradition is to start it yourself!
This is made out of the 2026 EFA football season.
We are a week away from the start of the EFA season, and what better way to start the year than with an All-Euro team? This team will follow EFA rule sets, with two Americans on either side of the ball and the rest Europeans. The reasoning is to keep as many Europeans on this "All-Euro" team as possible and avoid a list of 6 American receivers and DBs. Let's get started.
OFFENSE
QB: Zach Edwards, Paris Musketeers (A)
Magic is back in the city of Paris, returning with many of his old weapons, familiar coaches, a year off from his 2024 ELF OPOTY campaign, and coaching experience. His continued improvement in his passing since his debut with the Barcelona Dragons, along with his natural gifts as a runner, make him arguably the best dual-threat in the league. He has fewer weapons than other QBs in the league this year, but that might mean he has to prove more of his value with crazy numbers.
Second Team: Jadrian Clark, Nordic Storm (A)
RB: Adam Zouzelka, Prague Lions
This might seem left field, but many teams in the 2026 EFA season are running with a community back system. Paris, Munich, and Tirol all have multiple running backs who will need touches. Adam is the guy in Prague, and Fred Armstrong's offence is laser-focused on getting the running game going. The offensive line is built for more of a run style as well, making this the year that we could see Adam really break into the starlight.
Second Team: Lukas Haslwanter, Raiders Tirol
RB: Glen Toonga, Nordic Storm
Toonga is clearly a favourite for comeback player of the year following a season-ending injury last season. The "silver lining" is that the injury happened in the very first week. Meaning he has had ample time for recovery. He is playing in the same system, with an improved offensive line and a new motivation. It is a risk, of course, but if there is anyone who can come back from an injury like that, it's him.
Second Team: Gerald Ameln, Frankfurt Galaxy
WR: Brendan Beaulieu, Nordic Storm (A)
Beaulieu is the best weapon, with the best pure passer and the best offensive coordinator. It is not a leap to suggest that he will continue his form. He is one of the best players in the league right now. 1,392 receiving yards last season with 15 touchdowns. If it weren't for a record-breaking season by Cruickshank in the same season as our introduction to BB, we would all be talking about how he is the clear choice for first-team honours.
Second Team: William Patterson, Prague Lions (A)
WR: Louis Geyer, Munich Ravens
Many people's best European receiver, Geyer, finished his ELF career with a championship in his hometown and the championship MVP. Now he is onto the next chapter of his career in Munich; it's safe to say he will probably get a lot of touches, but Munich are loaded, and I worry if that will affect his numbers. It all comes down to how his connection to Tabor comes about.
Second Team: Simon Fons, Nordic Storm
TE: Adria Botella Moreno, Frankfurt Galaxy
Adria has been around forever in Europe and has bounced from team to team, but he has shown his flexibility with schemes and has become a trusted veteran that QBs can look at as a safety blanket. Insert "rookie" Ethan Garbers into the equation in his first season, and he will be looking for reliability and experience. Another award for Mr Worldwide.
Second Team: Philip Okonkwo, Munich Ravens
OT: Steven Nielsen, Frankfurt Galaxy
If you ask the top linemen in the league who their favourite offensive lineman is, and 99% of them will say that Nielsen is the one. At 6'8" and over 300 lbs, with a CFL and CFB pedigree, he has all the intangibles. Not only that, but he is entering into his physical prime at the tail end of his 20s. He may have missed some time in the 2025 season, but there's no doubt he has the technical and athletic abilities.
Second Team: Chinazo Obobi, Munich Ravens
OG: Marlon Werthmann, Munich Ravens
Marlon might be one of the strongest players in all of Europe. He has shorter arms for the position, but the pop and power he has in the hands are unmatched. He gets low in the pads of the defensive line and can provide position flexibility as a centre if needed. He was in the NFL IPP in 2022 but has yet to make an all-star team. I can foresee that changing this season.
Second Team: Dimitrios Gkountoudis, Frankfurt Galaxy
C: Harry Sayer, Munich Ravens
Harry has been a weird player to follow in his ELF career as he has transitioned from a tackle to an all-pro interior lineman. That flexibility is part of what makes him great. His aggressive hands and tackle-quick feet have elevated him to, in my opinion, one of the few on this list I did not hesitate to select.
Second Team: Celestin Ngimbi, Paris Musketeers
OG: Dominik Ondra, Munich Ravens
You might have noticed that Chinazo Obobi has moved to tackle for me. I think this is likely, given that he played there in college. Dom can play super well in offensive guard, so there's no love lost for any defensive line: nasty hands, great push, and size to throw around. Dom has developed incredibly over the past few seasons; he is due for some flowers.
Second Team: Love Larsson, Nordic Storm
OT: Victor Stoffel, Nordic Storm
We are truly blessed with European offensive linemen in 2026. Stoffel is another who has achieved significant success in college and Europe. He was a captain at Temple and an All-AAC selection. It's a no-brainer. The length, size, feet, and hand placement are levels for offensive tackles, and he is the level we should aspire to.
Second Team: Isaac Moore, Nordic Storm
Flex: Hugo Tekedam, Paris Musketeers
Hugo will have an impact across the field if I am correct about Zach Edwards. Hugo transitioned from a backup QB to a stud receiver under Edwards during his OPOTY. It's only natural that he will be looking his way again as he shakes off the year. Deadly speed and athletic ability with a long catch radius, he is a raw player, but perhaps he has refined the craft this offseason.
Second Team: Radim Kalous, Prague Lions
DEFENCE
DE: Stanley Zeregbe, Paris Musketeers
Zeregbe had 31 sacks in his first three seasons in the ELF. People forget that because he was hurt for most of last season. Don't get it twisted: he is a bad man when he is healthy. Paris will be relying on him for a large portion of their pass rush this season. He has burst, heavy hands and a deeper bag than most—a defensive comeback player of the year.
Second Team: Emil Hovde, Nordic Storm
DT: Chris Mulumba, Frankfurt Galaxy
6 sacks in 9 games from the inside line is impressive as it is. It's even more impressive when you consider how much he affects the run game and demands attention from multiple offensive linemen. Chris has been around the block now; he has a deep bag and is very crafty with his step-ups and moves. Another player who struggled with injuries but will be on many pre-season lists.
Second Team: Aslan Zetterberg, Nordic Storm
DT: Jakub Smutný, Prague Lions
Kuba was robbed of an All-Star nod in 2025, I'll say it. He was the best defensive tackle in the league. He clogged up the run, he batted down passes, and he even got a pick. He wrecked a lot of interior offensive linemen last season, but did not get his shine. I hope he took that personally and has a big year. He had a great frame, strong hands, and a motor that not many DTs can boast.
Second Team: Etuale Lui, Munich Ravens
DE: Johannes Zirngibl, Munich Ravens
Crazy length and a PB of 16.5 TFLs from the German in a single season says a lot. He gets into the backfield with great penetration and speed. Another injury-shortened season across this defensive line, but you can't talk about elite pass rushers in Europe without talking about Zirngibl. A sneaky turnover creator, too, if you glance at the stats.
Second Team: Marek Daník, Prague Lions
OLB: Alex Raich, Munich Ravens
A former college safety turned linebacker for Kansas, who then went to the CFL? You'd have to be crazy not to consider him for this award. I think we will see him move around the defence a lot, as one of the best athletes in Europe. His time at safety will certainly aid him in coverage. This is going to be a big signing we all look back on, I think. I know Jamal Clay is happy.
Second Team: Tomáš Pazourek, Prague Lions
ILB: Toby Naylor, Frankfurt Galaxy
Toby Naylor is a great tackler and leader of the Frankfurt Galaxy. I always say that about the consistency, but he was on fire when he played well. He has had time to get comfortable with the team and establish himself more than last season, so we will see him play with a different energy. I think he could have a big breakout this year; he has all the measureables and the attitude to do so.
Second Team: Digaan Gomis, Paris Musketeers
OLB: Ludvig Myren, Nordic Storm
Myren is probably one of the most well-known players in all of Europe. That reputation has been earned through visibility, whether in sacks, interceptions, touchdowns, or tackles. Myren is always around the ball. His frame makes him mobile and flexible, his IQ make him one of the best players in the league.
Second Team: Jasper Djouma, Raiders Tirol
CB: Macéo Beard, Nordic Storm
Mace is the best zonal corner we have had in Europe, maybe ever. He was close with the CFL, UFL and NFL. Not many athletes can say that. He is also the only European ever to win the ELF Defensive Player of the Year. A ball hawk with crazy length, IQ and big play ability. He is going to be hard to avoid.
Second Team: Christoph Nitzlnader, Munich Ravens
CB: Ken Hike Jr, Prague Lions (A)
Hike plays cornerback with a certain elegance in movement. He is not nice; he is not pretty; he is a punch-mouth man-coverage corner with turnover potential. The way he does it is just so captivating. His hands are stabby; he moves receivers off their routes, and he's one of the finest we have.
Second Team: Jamalcolm Liggins, Paris Musketeers (A)
S: Souleymane Karamoko, Paris Musketeers
A bruiser in the box with the power to take off anyone's head, I've seen players go down early to avoid Karamoko. That level of fear installed says a lot about what players think of him. He goes to the echo of the whistle (sometimes just after) and blows up short concepts and the run game with bad intentions.
Second Team: Yani Gouadfel, Paris Musketeers
S: Mitch Fettig, Nordic Storm (A)
Safety or corner, I don't care, you can pick one because he will be an all-star at whatever you put him at. Elite coverage, ball skills and route manipulation. He is a champion and a captain. Surge's dominant defence would not be what it was without Fettig. Now that he is with the Nordic Storm, he will be lurching around the hash marks and making some of the plays of the season.
Second Team: Kobe Hylton, Raiders Tirol (A)
SPECIALS
K: Dean Faithful, Paris Musketeers
A pro at 35 following a career in European football, Dean has played in the CFL and had great success. He spent time in college and the indoor league. Doesn't matter where you play; if you can drill 50-yarders with good accuracy, everyone will want you on their team.
Second Team: Ryan Rimmler, Frankfurt Galaxy
P: Marek Hruboň, Prague Lions
Hruboň serves as Prague's kicker and punter and excels at both. He showed most of his praise from his kicking, but he had many games where he was about to shut down the return games of some very dangerous players. Next time Prague punt, take it in because he's damn good.
Second Team: Jonata Loria, Raiders Tirol
Thanks if you made it this far.
Expect more written pieces in the future.
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