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The Prague Black Panthers (formerly the Prague Panthers) are an American football team based in Prague, Czech Republic founded in 1991. The Prague Black Panthers are one of the most successful teams in Central Europe, having been named the Champions of the Czech Republic 18 times (1994–1996, 1999–2003, 2007–2010 as the Panthers, and 2013–2018 as the Black Panthers). After years of dominance in the Czech League of American Football, the Black Panthers have since 2010 also competed as members of the Austrian Football League (AFL). Since 2018 the Panthers have only been members of the (AFL) choosing not to compete in the Czech league. Internationally the team has played in the European Football League (EFL) and the EFAF Cup and also in Central European Football League (CEFL).
 | |
| Founded | 1991, as the Prague Panthers |
|---|---|
| League | Austrian Football League Česká Liga Amerického Fotbalu |
| Based in | Prague, Czech Republic |
| Stadium | Stadion SK Prosek |
| Colors | Black, White and Silver |
| President | Pavel Poříz |
| Head coach | Spencer Ford |
| Manager | David Krejbich |
| Championships | 1994–1996 1999–2003 2007–2010 (as Prague Panthers) 2013–2018 (as Prague Black Panthers) 2024 AFL Champions |
| Website | pragueblackpanthers |
History
editThe Prague Panthers were founded in 1991. In 1992 the Prague Panthers merged with Prague Cocks to become a larger more unified organization. The Panther senior team has been playing in the Czech American Football Association ever since it started in 1994.
The Panthers have enjoyed much success since their inception, winning the first three Czech Championships in 1994, 1995 and 1996. The year 1995 was big for the young Panther organization as they beat their crosstown rival, the Prague Lions, 52–22. The game was played in front of a crowd of 4,500 at Vikovice Stadium in the neutral city of Ostrava, and proved to be a huge win for the Panthers as they won their second straight Czech Championship. The Panthers have enjoyed much success in recent years winning 12 Czech Championships. In 2009, the Prague Panthers defeated the Black Panthers de Thonon-les-Bains of France 35–12 to win the EFAF Cup. Panther running back, Stanislav Jantos, paved the way for the Panthers' first EFAF Cup victory, earning MVP honors.
In 2010, the Prague Panthers joined the Austrian Football League (AFL) for the first time, posting a 3–3 record in league play. In 2024, the Black Panthers reached the Austrian Bowl championship final game for the first time in 14 seasons in the league. They defeated the Vienna Vikings 20-14, earning their first AFL Championship.
In late 2012, the Prague Black Hawks, a team whom defeated them in the 2011 and 2012 Czech (CLAF) Championship Games, merged with the Panthers to form the Prague Black Panthers.
Team
editThe Prague Black Panthers organization consists of Senior as well as Junior teams, Flag teams and cheerleaders. Every year the organization continues to grow and gets increasingly more popular in the community.
Successes
edit- Czech League
- (Czech Bowl) Czech Republic Champions (1994–1996, 1999–2003, 2007–2010 as the Prague Panthers, 2013–2018 as the Prague Black Panthers)
- Czech Republic Runners-up (1997, 1998, 2004, 2005, 2011, 2012)
- International
- European Football League
- Quarterfinals (1999, 2012)
- Preliminary round (2000, 2002, 2013)
- EFAF Cup
- Winners (2009)
- Semifinals (2008)
- Winners of German Bowl Ost (1994)
- Winners of Prague International Bowl (1998)
- Austrian Football League
- Semi-finals (2022, 2023)
- Winners of Austrian Bowl (2024)
References
edit- "Euro Top 20 from 23.07.2012". EuroBowl.Info. 23 July 2012.
- "Stats Leaders". AFBO. Archived from the original on 2011-02-21. Retrieved 2011-01-26.
- "History of Prague Panthers". praguepanthers.cz (in Czech).