12 Questions with Roberto Miranda
Roberto Miranda knows American football from several perspectives: from youth football in Germany, from college football at Arizona and from the professional game in Europe. In the EFA Talk, he speaks about his path into the sport, team culture, special career moments, the development of football in Europe and why fans are an important part of that process.
In this 12 Questions interview, Roberto Miranda gives an honest and personal insight into his football journey. He explains why the team aspect immediately grabbed him, which moments have stayed with him, how he views the development of European football and why his team is working under the motto “Go from good to great”.
Roberto, how did your path in American football begin?
My path actually started very simply. I took part in a U19 tryout because one of my best friends had invited me. At that point I did not really know what football was. I was still at a sports school doing athletics, and my friend did not want to go to the tryout alone. So I said: okay, I will come along once. The rest is history. I immediately fell in love with the sport and stayed with it.
What fascinated you most about this sport from the beginning?
The team aspect fascinated me the most. I was grateful for athletics, but I always missed having a real team there. Football is different. No matter whether someone is big, small, fast, slow, strong or more slender — if people want to play football, there is always a place for them somewhere on a team. All these different types of people come together and work toward one common goal. I found that extremely cool from the very beginning.
When you look back on your football career so far, which moment stands out most?
One major highlight was definitely the ELF Championship with my guys from Stuttgart. After everything we had gone through together that season, it was the perfect way to end that chapter. For many of the Stuttgart guys, after several close calls, it was a very special moment, and for me it was a home game, which made it even more special. I am simply grateful that I was able to help the team bring that championship home. Looking at my college career, the 2023 Alamo Bowl with Arizona against Oklahoma was also a special highlight. It was an honor to play in a bowl game like that and be part of an offense that was so dynamic and successful that year. Many of those guys no longer play football together, so it is a memory we can all share.
What does European football mean to you personally?
European football means a lot to me because we are still in a phase where the sport is being built step by step here. I have also experienced the other side and played in America in front of many people. There, football is one of the biggest things there is. In Europe, the sport is not yet at that level everywhere, even though it is beautiful and, in my opinion, offers a lot of entertainment. That is why it feels personal to me. We are building something together here: a league, a professional product, structures and attention. Later I will be able to say that I was part of this story in Europe from the beginning. That is a very cool feeling.
How would you describe the development of football in Europe over the last few years?
Honestly, I mainly followed things more closely last year because before that I was very busy with my college career. Some of what I saw was frustrating. Sometimes big decisions are made where it feels as if the best interest of football in Europe is not always the main focus or that patience is missing. It is sad when structures or teams break away that many people care about. At the same time, I still have hope. I see good things, I see players who still believe in the sport, and I am convinced that things can get better in the next few years.
How excited are you and your team for the upcoming season?
The excitement is still huge, even though I am answering a little late. A lot is still new for me in the team. I am getting to know my teammates better and better, and I have already had new experiences, for example with the first away trip to Copenhagen and Nordic Storm. I am extremely excited for this season. We have a very professional organization, very cool people, many good players and also good characters. If everyone stays healthy, I am convinced that this season can be very successful.
What makes a first game of the season so special from a player’s perspective?
A season opener is always special. You really play with the team for the first time, everything comes with new processes, and every team has its own gameday routines, traditions and pregame rituals. For us, it was important to start the season well. We won, and at the end of the day that is what counts. At the same time, we know that we can still improve a lot. It felt good to see that we can win clearly and still have plenty of room to get better. For the franchise, that was an important step.
What identity should your team show on the field this season?
Our goal is to become a team that nobody wants to play against. Not just because we are more physical, but because we study the game very closely, analyze it, prepare for it and then play accordingly. We want to be an opponent that makes other teams think before the game: we really do not want to deal with this today. That is our goal: to be a team nobody wants to play against.
In your view, what is decisive for a successful season: talent, discipline, culture, coaching or team spirit?
In the end, all of those points play a role. Our motto this year is “Go from good to great”, and that is exactly what we want to live in every area. That includes physiotherapy, practice, film, the gym and the whole preparation process. The guys often told me they were good last year. But they were not great yet, otherwise they would have won the championship. This year, the goal is to take the next step. That means becoming elite in everything, taking the game extremely seriously and preparing for every game as if it were a championship game. If we do that, we will be successful.
How do you see the future of the EFA and European football in general?
I have hope that everything will become more professional every year. Of course, money is needed too, because without money it is difficult to build and maintain a league long term. At the same time, I mainly focus on what I can control: putting the best possible product on the field, playing well and helping my teammates play well. Everything else is something I can only influence to a limited extent. But I believe there are people in charge now who think long term and have the patience needed to build a league like this. That is why I hope it becomes more professional step by step.
What can fans expect from you and your team this season?
Fans can expect that we want to play very good football. We have extremely good coaches on our staff and, in my view, systems, plays and strategies that not every team in Europe uses. Because of the coaching experience, fans may see things that they know from NFL or college structures. At the same time, we have eleven guys on the field who will give everything. No matter who we play: our players are hungry, they want to prove themselves, go from good to great and give 110 percent. Being a fan of our team should be connected with a lot of fun and entertainment.
What message would you like to give to all fans who support European football?
Be part of this process. Invite friends and family, share the free YouTube streams, send links into groups, post them in your Instagram story and tell people at school, in training or at work about it. If someone wants to try or watch football, the entry point is there. Without fans, none of this makes sense. It is no fun playing in empty stadiums. With many fans, every gameday becomes better, more successful and more valuable for the league. So be part of the process and help make European football bigger.
Many thanks to Roberto Miranda for his open and thoughtful answers. His view shows how much potential European football has — but also that patience, professionalism, team culture and fans are essential if good structures are to become something truly great.