Planning the Next Adventure
After the victory in Palma, the Sealand Nationals were sitting in a bar celebrating and asking the usual question:
“Where next?”
That’s when Nationals star Olli Schweder stepped in.
“The Huskies will give you a game.”
“Are you sure?”
“Of course.”
And just like that, the next Seahawks adventure was born.
Enter the Hamburg Huskies
True to his word, Olli returned home to Germany and got everything organised with frightening German efficiency.
The Hamburg Huskies handled:
- The pitch
- The opposition
- The streaming setup
- The afterparty
For once, I could actually sit back and relax while the players sorted their flights and accommodation.
A very unusual experience.
A Different Role
This trip was different for me personally too.
For the first time with the Seahawks, I travelled not as a player, but purely as a coach, it was weird not having my kit, just a clipboard.
The atmosphere around the Nationals squad had completely changed since the rebuild following Reykjavik. Confidence was high after Palma, and this group genuinely felt like a proper team.
Kasim Edebali Field
We arrived at the stadium the day before the game and honestly, it felt unreal.
Kasim Edebali Field was a genuine purpose-built American football venue:
- Proper field markings
- Proper endzones
- Proper “tuning forks” goalposts!
For most British players used to adapting rugby pitches every weekend, it felt luxurious.
Then I noticed something strange.
Nobody was on the field.
Turns out I’d just missed a massive thunderstorm, with everyone sheltering in the changing rooms.
A proper German welcome.
Preparing for Battle
Once the weather cleared, training went brilliantly.
But standing on a pitch this good, in a setup this professional, I had a growing feeling:
The Hamburg Huskies were not going to be pushovers.
Game Day in Hamburg
Thankfully, the following day brought perfect football weather:
- Clear skies
- Cool temperatures
- Ideal conditions
Before kickoff, both teams did something unusual.
Instead of separating for warmups, the Seahawks and Huskies trained together, sharing drills, coaching ideas, and techniques.
Both coaching staffs taught players from both teams.
It’s something almost nobody else in sport would do.
But that’s part of what the Principality of Sealand and the Seahawks are about:
- Community
- Learning
- Sharing the game
Joe Thompson Takes Over
The game itself was hard fought from start to finish.
The Huskies were physical, organised, and every bit as competitive as promised.
But Seahawks quarterback Joe Thompson showed exactly why he’s regarded as one of the best quarterbacks in British American football.
Touchdowns came through:
- Steve Cox
- Aaron Wheatley
- Chris Green
And then there was Danny Castle.
On one incredible run, he simply refused to go down.
He just kept going.
And going.
And going.
Final Score: Seahawks 28 – 20 Huskies
The Seahawks defence shut down a late Huskies comeback attempt, securing a huge international win.
Considering how miserable things had felt after Reykjavik, the turnaround was incredible.
The Gatorade Shower
Naturally, the reward for coaching the team to victory was…
Getting absolutely drenched in Gatorade.
Worth it.
Wonderwall in a German Beer Hall
Post-game celebrations took place in a traditional German beer hall complete with:
- Proper German beer
- Pretzels
- Sausages
- Live music
After relentless pressure from the Sealanders, the live band eventually gave in and played Wonderwall.
Honestly?
It might have been the most surreal moment in Seahawks history.
And I absolutely loved it.
Looking Ahead: Las Vegas
After Hamburg, attention quickly turned towards the biggest challenge yet.
Summer training awaited.
Then came the next stop:
Las Vegas, Nevada.
The question was no longer whether the Seahawks belonged internationally.
The question was:
Could Sealand win in America?
- Mike Ireland, Minister for Sports and Culture
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