Prague Black Panthers
Founded | 1991 | , as the Prague Panthers
---|---|
League |
Austrian Football League Česká Liga Amerického Fotbalu |
Based in | Prague, Czech Republic |
Stadium | Slavia Prague Athletic Stadium |
Colors |
Black and Silver
|
Head coach | Adam Rita |
Championships | 1994–1996, 1999–2003, 2007–2010 (as Prague Panthers), 2013–2015 (as Prague Black Panthers) |
Website |
www |
The Prague Black Panthers (formerly the Prague Panthers) are an American football team based in Prague, Czech Republic. The Prague Black Panthers are one of the most successful team in Central Europe, having been named the Champions of the Czech Republic 13 times (1994–1996, 1999–2003, 2007–2010 as the Panthers, and 2013–2015 as the Black Panthers). After years of dominance in the Czech League, the Black Panthers currently compete as members of the Austrian Football League (AFL). Internationally the team has played in the European Football League (EFL) and the EFAF Cup.
Panther History
The Prague Panthers were founded in 1991. In 1992 the Prague Panthers joined with the 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 very much success since their inception, winning the first three Czech Championships in 1994,1995 and 1996. 1995 was a big year 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 for the first time, posting a 3-3 record in league play.
In late 2012, the Prague Black Hawks, a team whom defeated them in the 2011 and 2012 CLAF Championship Games, merged with the Panthers to form the Prague Black Pathers.
The Black Panther Team
The 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.
Black Panther Success
Czech League
• Czech Republic Champions (1994–1996, 1999–2003, 2007–2010 as the Prague Panthers, 2013–2015 as the Prague Black Panthers)
• Czech Republic Runners-up (1997, 1998, 2004, 2005)
International
• Quarterfinals of the European Football League (2000)
• Quarterfinals of the European Football League (2002)
• Semifinals of the EFAF Cup (2008)
• Winners of German Bowl Ost (1994)
• Winners of Prague International Bowl (1998)
• 8th place in the European TOP 20 (2002)
• 12th place in the European TOP 20 (2008)
• 16th place in the European TOP 20 (1999)
References
- "Euro Top 20 from 23.07.2012". EuroBowl.Info. 23 July 2012.
- "Stats Leaders". AFBO.
- "History of Prague Panthers". praguepanthers.cz (in Czech).