12 Questions – The EFA Talk with Hendrik Biederstaedt / njoyFootball
Hendrik Biederstaedt is active as a content creator with njoyFootball and regularly talks about his passion for football in the podcast “Fins up, Deutschland!”. In the EFA Talk, he explains how the Miami Dolphins brought him to the sport, why community matters so much to him and what European football needs now.
In the 12 Questions interview with EFA-NEWS.de, Hendrik Biederstaedt shares insights into his personal football story, his work as a creator and podcaster, his view of the German and European football landscape and the importance of youth development, structure, social media and community.
Hendrik, how did you originally get into American football?
I have been following the NFL since the early 2000s. Back then my brother lived near Miami for two years. That made me curious, and that is how I became aware of the Dolphins.
What still fascinates you most about football today?
Every season, every team basically has the same chances – in the NFL, for example, because of the salary cap and the NFL Draft. You do not have the same financial inequality as in the Bundesliga, where Bayern Munich and Heidenheim have completely different conditions. Games can also still be decided shortly before the end. Anyone who writes off a team at halftime can be punished for it in the end. The best example for me is the Super Bowl between the Patriots and the Falcons, when Atlanta led 28-3 early in the third quarter.
You are active as a content creator and podcaster with njoyFootball. How did the idea come about?
My mission is this: I want to get people excited about football and simply share my passion. I really enjoy the sport – and especially the community.
Your podcast “Fins up, Deutschland!” has a clear football focus. What makes good football content for you?
If people enjoy it and also feel that it is useful for them, then the content is good. I am not a news reporter, but by now I am very deep into the subject because I deal with it every day – even in the offseason.
How do you currently experience the German and European football community?
I think the GFL is currently on a good path. Everything looks more professional than it did a few years ago. I am very excited about the new EFA and AFLE. For the future, however, I would like to see just one joint European league.
Many fans now follow the NFL, college football, GFL, AFLE, EFA and other European leagues at the same time. How important is this variety for the sport?
Variety is always good, also in sports. In the end you have to see what fans consume most and whether it does not become too much at some point. That is why I would prefer one joint European league. And people should also support the small local teams, because that is where the foundation is.
What does European football need, in your opinion, to keep growing in the long term?
Solid structures, good youth development and stable finances. That did not work anymore for the ELF recently. That should be a warning for the EFA and AFLE. Planning should always be long-term, and youth development should always be promoted. That is why leagues should not compete with the GFL or GFL2, for example, but rather work together.
How do you see the role of social media for football in Germany and Europe?
Social media is extremely important today, because that is where younger people mostly get their information – the fans of tomorrow.
Is there a football moment, game or experience that has stayed with you in particular?
There are several. In Madrid, at the Dolphins against Commanders game last year, I was able to attend a Dolphins press conference for the first time. That was something special. In 2022 I was at the Dolphins against Steelers game, the anniversary game for the 50-year Perfect Season. I was in the suite, and when I was walking around the stadium at halftime, the Dolphins legends came towards me.
What makes a strong football community for you?
At the last NFL games in Germany, I was always warmly welcomed as a Dolphins fan in all team bars, for example by Seahawks Germany. It does not matter which fan you are – it is always a peaceful togetherness. That is how it should be. We are all there for the sport.
If you could wish for one thing for football in Germany or Europe, what absolutely needs to improve in the coming years?
At the moment I think the GFL and also the new EFA and AFLE leagues are doing quite well.
Finally, what would you like to say to people who find football exciting but have not really entered the scene yet?
Just have fun and enjoy it. You do not have to be a football nerd like me, for example. ;-)
Thank you to Hendrik Biederstaedt for his time, his clear view of the football community and his passion for the sport. You can find more from him at njoyFootball and in the podcast “Fins up, Deutschland!”.