There are two major sports teams in Bratislava that play in a foreign league. However, the similarities between the two clubs end there. Moreover, only one of them is really doing well at the top European level – the American football team – Bratislava Monarchs. For 22 years, this club has been educating new generations of professionals in this rare sport in our country. And given the story behind it, it still faithfully embodies the idealistic idea of sport that we all still romantically cultivate somewhere deep inside us .
On the one hand, professionalism and an energetically inexhaustible effort to constantly improve and advance. On the other hand, deep humility and genuinely sincere joy and emotions. Moreover, these are always intended expressly for internal and fan – not just media – consumption. Somewhere in between is a huge amount of work, passion, dedication and the right amount of stubbornness. Plus an extremely skilled organizational team and, of course, especially excellent players and athletes.
If this bunch of "Monarchs" really ruled us somewhere in a parallel universe and applied a sense of justice and fair play as honestly in the state as on the field, we would probably regret the word republic in the name. Even more so if they did it - just like this rough, but at the same time incredibly strategic sport - practically only out of love and for a good feeling.
But jokes aside and pluralist democracy quickly back. Let's look at the story of Bratislava's "Monarchs".
The birth of a successful sports monarchy
The first American football balls - the so-called "donuts" - began to fly over Bratislava in the summer of 1994. However, the consolidated club was officially established only in April 1996. The Bratislava Monarchs were the first American football club in our country. They played their first serious match in 2004 as part of the Central European League, where, in addition to the Monarchs, several Serbian, Czech and one Slovenian teams played. They played their first match with standard equipment against the "Diviak" (Wild Boars) team from Kragujevac. In 2011, the Slovak Football League was established, which is the national league of American football in Slovakia. It has a total of 7 teams. The Monarchs, in their typical royal blue, gold and white color combination, have won our league a total of 4 times. Once against the "Knights" from Nitra, twice against the "Bulldogs" from Trnava and most recently they won the so-called Slovak Bowl last year against the "Warriors" from Žilina.
From Slovakia via Hungary to Austria
The team's goal was not to rest on its laurels, but to fully focus on new challenges. Last year, Bratislava Monarchs achieved their greatest success so far. In addition to winning the Slovak league, they also managed to finally win the second Austrian American football league after reaching the semi-finals the year before. Out of 16 games, they lost only one phenomenal game during the season. In the final, they defeated the "Invaders" from St. Pölten and advanced to the highest Austrian league, the AFL – Austrian Football League.We didn't even think about it at the beginning of the season. We won as a team. AFL is a big challenge.
Jozef Piťo , president of the Bratislava Monarchs club
Together with the German league, it is one of the best American football leagues in Europe. It has been operating for 34 years. There are currently a total of 8 teams in it. In addition to the Austrian teams, the league also includes the Slovenian team Silverhawks from Ljubljana, in addition to the Monarchs. The quality of the Austrian league is also proven by the fact that AFL teams often win the pan-European American football league EFL and legionnaires from the American university "football" league NCAA also usually play in it. Gradually, legionnaires from the best league in the world - the American NFL - are also appearing in those top teams. The 10-game season begins in mid-March and the playoffs continue until July, culminating in the Austrian Bowl. The league's most successful team and current champion is the Viennese Vikings. The Monarchs will face them on June 3, 2018 in Bratislava.
Behind specific successes are usually specific names
He achieved this historic success under the leadership of head coach Peter Meluš. He is a club legend and played for the Monarchs for 13 years. Meluš is also the first Slovak to obtain the highest coaching license. He was greatly helped by his assistant Richard Reich. He has extensive experience from the German and Austrian leagues and works as a defense coordinator for the Monarchs. Quarterback and MVP Danny Dobson, who came to the team from the prestigious American university competition, also proved to be key for the team. He is one of the few legionnaires in the Monarchs' predominantly Slovak squad. The right "chemistry" between the quarterback and the rest of the team is the foundation of the game.Not only did we win our division in the Austrian league, but we beat opponents up to two divisions higher. We changed the mindset of our players, who were ready to advance.
Peter Meluš , head coach of Bratislava Monarchs
The Monarchs' ambition in the AFL is to fight for a chance to participate in the playoffs. They still have 4 games to play before the end of the season. They have the quality to beat two or three teams in the competition. They have already won one home game against the Steelsharks from Traun, Austria.
Heartthrobs with justified ambitions
Bratislava Monarchs operate at a semi-professional level. Both players and coaches have civilian jobs. Only legionnaires receive a salary. When you realize that the Monarchs are now competing with teams with annual budgets in the millions, you have to take your hat or helmet off. They play their matches at the ŠCP stadium in Dúbravka. The dimensions of a classic football pitch are comparable to an American football field, so it is not a problem to paint the necessary lines on it. However, they have a training base near Mlada Garda, where you can see them training every Tuesday and Thursday.
You don't have to study the rules, you will learn them as you go
Quarterback, sideline, goal lines, end line, end zone, goalpost, offense, defense, kicker, down, punt, touchdown, conversion, try, field goal, timeout, penalty flag, challenge ... and to top it all off, everything is measured in yards, dear metrics! All the same. Although it is said that American football has the most extensive set of rules, the primary goal is to get the ball into the opponent's so-called end zone. That is the last 10 yards, which is a little over 9 meters. Everything in between is a matter of often very sophisticated strategy. When you come to watch a Bratislava Monarchs match, you can safely skip Google and come as a blank sheet of paper. Monarchs matches are always commented on in a humorous and informative way. The moderator will promptly explain everything that happens on the field, so you always have an overview of what is happening on the field. Even the main referee announces penalties and verdicts into his own microphone. There are 11 players on each side and the teams are basically divided into two separate teams. The athletic types are the attack and the ones who make you feel like you've shrunk are the defense team. Both parts of the team have their own coach and separate training methods. Moreover, a high point lead can be eliminated in a few minutes, so tension, dramatic situations and twists in the match are guaranteed.
