Philipp Haun joins the Vikings: “the goal is clear – win every week”
After four years with the Raiders Tirol, wide receiver Philipp Haun has made the move to the Vienna Vikings. The two-time IFAF European champion spoke about what convinced him to take this step, how he sees himself as a player, and what the Vikings are aiming for this season.
Why Vienna
For Haun, the move to Vienna made sense for more than one reason. Having spent four years with the Raiders Tirol, the step to one of Europe’s most established programs was a natural next one. Being closer to home played a practical role, but it was the football environment at the Vikings that ultimately convinced him.
“It is also a great opportunity to work with very experienced European coaches and players. The professionalism and the high level that the Vikings work at every single day is exactly what makes the difference.”
The Vikings have long been one of the top clubs in European football, with a culture built on consistency and high standards. For a player who values those same qualities, it is not a difficult place to feel at home.
What stays with you
Haun’s career already includes two IFAF European Championship titles. It is a record that speaks for itself. But when asked which moments have shaped him most, he did not go straight for the trophies. For him, the real value of each season runs deeper than the final result.
“Every season moves a player forward personally, whether it ends successfully or not. The shared moments with your teammates and the people you meet along the way are what stay with you. You go through a lot of difficult but also beautiful moments together for one common goal. That brings you incredibly close and is something special.”
It is the kind of perspective that comes from experience. Haun has been part of winning campaigns and he knows what it takes to get there, but he also understands that the journey itself is what builds a player and a team.
Consistent, calm and hard to stop
As a player, Haun puts consistency above everything else. He is not looking for shortcuts or big moments built on emotion. His approach is more straightforward than that: show up with the same attitude every day and let the results take care of themselves.
“I try to bring the same mentality to work every single day. I think that is how you reach a certain consistency and a level where you can always perform well. At the same time, it helps you stay calm in heated moments and make the important plays.”
That composure could prove particularly valuable in close games and high-pressure situations, exactly the kind of moments that decide championships. Haun also offered a word of warning to opposing defenses. The Vikings, he says, are not going to be easy to plan against.
“As a team we have a lot of playmakers at every position. The fans can look forward to a lot of variety and a diverse game. We are going to be hard to figure out.”
A roster with weapons across the board, a consistent receiver who does not make mistakes, and a team built around trust. That is a combination that tends to cause problems.
One goal: the title
On what the Vikings want to achieve this season, Haun left no room for interpretation. There are no secondary targets, no talk of development or process. The squad came together with one thing in mind.
“For the Vikings there can only be one goal. 1-0 every week, and then deliver our best performance in the playoffs to win the title.”
On the schedule, the home game against Rhein Fire stands out as the obvious highlight. But Haun is not interested in saving his energy for the big moments. Every game in the AFLE’s inaugural season carries weight, and he knows it.
“You train so much and the offseason is long every year. That makes every single game worth a lot.”
The Vienna Vikings kick off their AFLE campaign this summer. Philipp Haun will be one to watch.
