The European Lacrosse League season is about to kick off. We got some information on the league to make it easier to follow.What is the ELL?
The European Lacrosse League is the top box lacrosse league in Europe. It is run in the fall with three tournaments and then the playoffs. “The ELL is a short term competition (4 tournaments).” explains league founder Ondrej Mika. “It developed from small competition played at first only within LCC Radotín club practices about five years ago, then other Czech players were invited and finally we opened it internationally. Over 300 players took part in the ELL three years history. The reason was that in the Czech box lacrosse league there is quite big gap between top club teams (especially LCC Radotín) and weaker teams and the games were one-sided and boring for players of both teams and spectators.
“There were only few tough games in season for top teams and the lack of play under pressure was a disadvantage for Czech players in the national team also. Therefore we established a competition where the teams are created through drafts and they are on equal level, what gives players chance to play more tough games. Also mixture of top players and rookies in one team helps the latter ones to improve and bring new skills to their clubs. With involvement of foreign players the league this works internationally and at the same time it helps to promote box lacrosse in other countries”
Who Plays in it?
Mostly Europeans play in this league, deriving from the Czech Republic, England and Germany, but this season several Americans and Canadians have joined the league. Some of these players played in the NLL (George Castle, Ginny Capicchioni), NALL (Patrick Crosby, Jamie Plunkett) and the CanAm League (Marco Hill)
“Many of the overseas participants were in Prague for the Ales Hrebesky Memorial which has great reputation, so they know the environment.” Mika explained. “Czech and European box lacrosse community is very small but enthusiastic and it is great fun for everybody. Although we see a big progress of the game level, the ELL is still incomparable to any professional North American league, it is run by volunteers and players pay all their expenses, but it has good spirit. Also many overseas players wants to help the game to grow and they come to support it, which is great and we really appreciate it.”
How do I follow the ELL?
ILWT will have coverage the entire season with interviews, update, game recaps and more. The games are also available to watch on their website, europeanlacrosseleague.eu. There is a six hour difference from eastern time for games.
Is it like other leagues?
“We are very pleased with the players interest and the fact they they are willing to spend their time and money by taking part in the ELL. For us it’s a sign that the concept is good.” said Mika. “In last few years we see progress in box lacrosse in Europe, especially in Germany and Finland and ELL can be one of the instruments for it.
“We would like to establish a stable, maybe one day semi- or fully professional competition which would be the showcase of the game and help to promote it and thus attract more players, media, sponsors to lacrosse. It could be also an opportunity for European players to show their qualities and get a chance to play overseas. And in future we would like to cooperate with NA competitions and maybe have a champions game one day.”
